As long as you have a valid driver’s license issued by the state of Louisiana or any other state in the country, you can legally drive virtually any type of passenger car on the Pelican State’s roads, as well as certain types of smaller commercial vehicles like cargo vans. However, a standard driver’s license does not cut it if you want to operate a two-wheeled or three-wheeled motorcycle here, and neither does standard auto insurance coverage or even the usual vehicle registration process.
Even worse, if you try to sue over a motorcycle crash without having met all the requirements for motorcyclists in Prairieville, you may be unable to recover the amount of money you need for your damages or even to get paid anything. With that in mind, here is a brief overview of the basic prerequisites set by state law for motorcycle riders, all of which a motorcycle injury attorney from Tomeny | Best could go into more detail about as needed during a free initial consultation.
Obtaining a Motorcycle License Endorsement
Just like people operating any other type of motor vehicle, motorcyclists in Prairieville are required by law to be at least 16 years of age in order to ride on public roads. Additionally, they must have what is known as a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license, which is signified by an “M” added to the license. Anyone who rides without such an endorsement violates state law, even if their license is otherwise valid and in good standing.
To receive a motorcycle endorsement, an applicant must already have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit. They must then complete either a motorcycle knowledge and skills test at an OMV location with a score of at least 80 percent or a Motorcycle Safety, Awareness, and Operator Training Program approved by the state Department of Public Safety. Either way, applicants are required to bring both a safety helmet to wear during testing and the actual motorcycle they intend to ride to their test, as well as documentation proving their motorcycle is properly registered, insured, and has passed state inspection.
Registering and Insuring a Motorcycle
Before they can apply for motorcycle registration, anyone who purchases a motorcycle in Louisiana must first pass a vehicle inspection performed at an inspection station approved by the state Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), as well as emissions inspection thanks to local rules for vehicle owners in Ascension Parish. All motorcyclists here are also required to purchase motorcycle insurance, providing at least $15,000 of liability coverage for a single person’s injuries, $30,000 for all injuries, and $25,000 for all property damage stemming from a single accident.
Once this is done, the registrant must submit all the following pieces of information at an OMV location:
- Their valid driver’s license, ideally with a motorcycle endorsement attached to it
- A completed Form DPSMV 1799
- Documents establishing both proof of purchase and proof of ownership, as well as financing statements if the motorcycle is on a lien
- An odometer disclosure statement, with certain exceptions
- $12 motorcycle registration fee plus other taxes and fees if applicable
As a qualified attorney can explain, several requirements apply to motorcyclists who move to Prairieville from out-of-state.
A Prairieville Attorney Can Answer Questions About Requirements for Motorcyclists
Meeting all the legal requirements for motorcyclists in Prairieville can be a confusing and time-consuming endeavor. However, it is important to comply with these rules not just to avoid getting in legal trouble yourself, but also to ensure you can enforce your right to civil recovery if you end up hurt in a wreck caused by someone else’s negligence.
If you are dealing with injuries stemming from that kind of incident, you have help available from knowledgeable legal professionals with a track record of case success. Call Tomeny | Best today to discuss your options.
