Arizona Motorcycle Laws & Resources for 2019
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AZ Motorcycle Laws for 2019
There has always been a strict focus on motorcycle laws across America. In 2016 alone, Arizona's Department of Public Safety investigated 792 collisions, of which 32 were fatal collisions.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety further states that motorcycle deaths accounted for 14% of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2017, with 5,172 fatalities.
Failure to follow proper riding protocol and motorcycle laws can be potentially life-threatening. It is imperative to be aware of the motorcycle laws and best practices in order to ride safely, and legally, especially if you wish to enjoy the beautiful and scenic state of Arizona.
Why Motorcycle Laws are a Necessity?
In 2010, 14% of all traffic accident fatalities were from motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle laws are built to not only save motorcyclists from fatal accidents and injuries, but also help them have a safe and enjoyable riding experience.
According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, over-speeding and failure to remain in the designated lanes were the main causes of motorcycle collisions in 2016.
Requirements for Obtaining a Motorcycle License in AZ
In Arizona, in order to operate a motorcycle a license or M class endorsement is needed. As an applicant, you must meet the following criteria to be eligible for a motorcycle license:
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- If you're under the age of 18, you must have a learner's permit for the duration of six months or more. You will also be required to submit a certified form, signed by a guardian, stating that you have over 30 hours of driving practice. Alternatively you can also complete a motorcycle safety program approved by the Motor Vehicle Division.
The M class license is a legal requirement for driving motorcycles in Arizona. If you wish to acquire a class M endorsement, you need to pass medical and vision screening and pass the written test. This stipulation is only bypassed if you are able to produce a valid driver's license from out of state.
More information for guardians of minors looking to obtain a class M license can be found here.
Motorcycle Registration Process
Under Arizona Law, all motorcycles are to be registered with the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) within 15 days of the purchase of the motorcycle. Failure to comply with the time constraints will result in penalty charges.
If you have bought your motorcycle from a dealership, they will most likely submit the registration documents to the MVD on your behalf. Your dealership may provide you with a temporary motorcycle registration as well.
However, make sure to ask them if any additional steps are left to be completed by you.
If you have bought your motorcycle from an individual seller, you must make sure you have Arizona motorcycle insurance. The steps below detail the insurance process:
- Fill out Form 96-0236 (Title and Registration Application).
- Provide the following:
- Documents showing your Arizona motorcycle insurance.
- The motorcycle's lien release (only if applicable).
- A signed notarized title of the motorcycle (should be signed by both the buyer & the seller).
- Any valid fees and taxes in addition to the mandatory $9 registration fee.
- Once you receive your license plate, AZ law requires you to mount it horizontally and illuminate it with a white light ONLY.
AZ Helmet Law
Arizona law, ARS 28-964, states that all motorcycle riders are required to wear a helmet. Passengers under the age of 18 also fall under the same safety requirements.
It should go without saying that your helmet should be in good condition and shouldn't have any cracks or loose straps.
Motorcyclists can choose between a full-face and a three-quarter helmet. Make sure it meets the standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation and/or the state. A label from the Snell Memorial Foundation would also suffice.
Additional Safety Gear
Arizona Law also dictates the requirement of wearing a face shield or any kind of protective glasses. You can also install a windshield on your motorcycle. SunTec Windshield Repair of Phoenix is a proponent of recommending to always keep your windscreen clean of debris or damage as this can distract a driver or rider from the road and cause a potential safety hazard.
The motorcycle is legally required to have a proper seat and footrest for the rider, as well as any passengers, along with a rearview mirror and working headlamps.
Motorcycle Passenger Law
As previously mentioned, motorcyclists are required by local law to have additional seats and footrests for passengers and a helmet if the passenger is below the age of 18.
If you are driving on a learner's permit, you are not allowed to have a passenger with you.
Noise Laws
In order to measure the maximum noise that can be produced from a motorcycle muffler, the noise it makes 50 feet from the center of the road is measured.
AZ Law states that you must make sure you're using your motorcycle's original muffler. In the case where the original is faulty, installing noise reduction parts is advised.
All bypass and cutoff devices are strictly prohibited.
Lane-Sharing Laws
Arizona's motorcycle lane-sharing laws are very motorcycle friendly, but make sure you understand them before getting on the road.
- Lane-splitting is strictly prohibited. You cannot drive in-between two vehicles or on the center line.
- Motorcyclists can use an entire lane but are not to overtake any vehicle that comes up in the same lane. You can use the second lane for overtaking.
- At most, two motorcycles are allowed to ride side-by-side in one lane.
- A motorcyclist may use a HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane at any time, regardless of the number of passengers on board.
Motorcycle Insurance Regulations
Arizona Law dictates that all motorcyclists should have liability insurance at the very least. There are two minimum insurance requirements:
- $10,000 property damage coverage should be in place.
- $15,000 bodily injury coverage should be in place per person. $30,000 for all the people involved in the accident.
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