
This means they must pay extra attention to safety while on the road. Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to roadway hazards due to their exposed nature.

The California law recommends riders engage in lane splitting only when traffic is moving slower than 30 mph. In 2016, California was the first state to officially recognize the practice by signing a bill into law. Lane splitting advocates are hoping to address the issue during the 2019 legislative session.įive states – Texas, Nevada, Georgia, Washington, and Oregon – are considering formally recognizing lane splitting. Since 2015, Texas legislators have introduced a few bills regarding the matter, though none have made it through the Texas Senate Transportation Committee. Texas law currently has no mention of lane splitting, but some legislators have begun talks to change that. Riders in the U.S., however, are discouraged from lane splitting, even in areas where the practice is legal, unless traffic is nearly at a standstill. Lane splitting is expected of motorcyclists in other countries, particularly in highly urbanized areas of Europe and Asia. They also claim lane splitting can improve traffic congestion. Lane splitting advocates in Texas cite studies that show lane splitting plays a significant role in the reduction of rear-end rider fatalities. While lane splitting is an effective way to cut a rider’s commute time, the legality of this action varies by state. It is most often performed by experienced riders when they are stuck in slow-moving or stopped traffic. Lane splitting is the practice of riding over painted, dashed road lines to pass between slower moving vehicles. Lane Splitting in Texas What Is Lane Splitting? Additionally, operators may only transport a passenger if their vehicle is permanently equipped with a passenger seat. Motorcycle passengers under the age of 5 are not permitted in the state of Texas.


Riders over the age of 21 are exempt from wearing a helmet only if the motorcycle operator has completed a DOT-approved Motorcycle Operator Training Course or is covered by at least $10,000 in medical insurance. A DOT sticker is applied to all helmets that adhere to the federal standards.
TEXAS DRIVING TEST PRACTICE 2016 DRIVERS
Helmets approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT) are required gear for all motorcycle, motor scooter, and moped drivers and their passengers younger than 21 years old.

Texas law requires several pieces of safety, regulatory, and operating equipment on all motorcycles and other motor-driven cycles, including a(n):
TEXAS DRIVING TEST PRACTICE 2016 LICENSE
To qualify for the license, drivers must pass a written test covering motorcycle-specific traffic laws and a road test.Įstablished drivers with a Class A, B, or C license may present an MSB-8 completion certificate or a completion card from a course meeting Motorcycle Safety Foundation curriculum standards in lieu of taking the tests. Applicants must be age 16 or older and have passed a Basic Motorcycle Operator Training Course approved by the Department of Public Safety. Motorcycle riders must obtain a Class M driver’s license to operate a motorcycle on a public highway in Texas. Motorcycle drivers, however, must follow a unique set of laws to keep themselves, other drivers, and their passengers safe out on the open road. Most road rules apply to all drivers no matter which vehicle they operate.
