Nevada Motorcycle Laws

At The Advocates, we love motorcycles. They offer a freedom and thrill that you just cannot match with a standard car. Even if you’re commuting to work every morning, your commute becomes an adventure when you are a motorcyclist.

Of course, there are specific laws and regulations for motorcyclists that you should be aware of, and they primarily exist for your safety. After all, you don’t have much protection from the giant metal cages around you.

Even when you do everything right, things still sometimes go wrong. If you are in a motorcycle accident, contact the Las Vegas personal injury attorneys at The Advocates for your free consultation.

Motorcycle License and Registration Laws

The state of Nevada issues a Class M driver’s license, while many other states simply issue a motorcycle endorsement. Nevada will transfer endorsements and Class M licenses from most other states.

There are two ways to get a Class M license in Nevada. You can either take a course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or go to the DMV and pass a written knowledge test and motorcycle skills test.

Motorcycle Safety Course

Many motorcycle dealerships and several Nevada state colleges offer motorcycle safety courses. The courses provide a motorcycle for use during the classes, and a motorcycle instruction permit is not required. Once you finish the course, take your certificate of completion to your local DMV within a year of completion to receive your Class M license.

Knowledge and Skills Test

If you take the knowledge and skills tests, you can get the Motorcycle Handbook in either PDF or physical form from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles to study for the knowledge test. You must pass the knowledge test before scheduling your skills test.

The skills test is available by appointment, which you can schedule online or by calling your local DMV office. A preview of what the skills test has in store is available online, with diagrams of the maneuvers you will be expected to perform. Failing the skills test twice means you must take the MSF course to get your Class M license.

Registration

Motorcycles and trimobiles require registration like any other vehicle in Nevada. To register your new bike, you must have a signed-off title, a dealer report of sale, and Nevada proof of insurance. Motorcycles do not require emissions testing.

Laws of the Road

Motorcycle Helmet Laws

Per NRS 486.231, motorcyclists in Nevada must wear a DOT-approved helmet. This requirement applies to motorcycles, trimobiles, and mopeds with handlebars and a saddle seat. Riders must also wear protective glasses, goggles, or face shields if the bike does not have a windscreen.

No other protective motorcycle equipment is required, but it is highly recommended. You never know when you’ll be involved in a motorcycle crash, and you want to protect yourself as much as possible.

Laws for Motorcycle Riders

The traffic laws for motorcyclists are generally the same as those for other motorists. In Nevada, motorcyclists are entitled to an entire traffic lane and may travel with two motorcyclists in a lane. Being courteous to others on the road is essential to everyone safely getting to where they are going.

Lane Splitting

Nevada law does not allow lane splitting; it is a contentious topic nationwide. The US Department of Transportation has taken no official stance on motorcycle operators splitting lanes. Lane splitting was first legalized in California and has been legalized in 18 other states as of this writing. As with any other law that varies by state, motorcycle drivers must know the local laws.

Ways to Keep Motorcyclists Safe

The following section contains helpful hints to keep everyone safe and happy on the road. Ultimately, the best way to avoid an accident is to be courteous to those you share the road with. Here are some tips related explicitly to motorcycles.

Motorcycles are smaller than cars, making it harder to judge their speed and making them appear further away than they are when seen through our rearview mirrors. Keeping this in mind can be the difference between an accident and a safe journey.

The electric turn signals on most motorcycles do not turn off automatically after a turn, like in most cars, so it is crucial to pay a bit more attention to the motorcyclist to know what they are doing. Pay attention to things like the motorcyclist turning their head or starting to lean before switching lanes.

When approaching a motorcyclist stopped at a stoplight or stop sign, be sure to leave them plenty of space. Ideally, the motorcyclist will have rear reflectors to add more visibility than just their brake light.

When approaching any driver, it’s crucial to dim your headlamps; this is especially true when that driver is a motorcyclist. Motorcyclists have to balance and steer, so blinding them with bright lights could be catastrophic.

Sometimes, even when you have followed all the roadway laws and taken all the necessary precautions, accidents still happen on our public roads. If they happen to you, the Las Vegas motorcycle accident attorneys at The Advocates will be here for you.

At The Advocates, we take an empathy-first approach to handling your case. We do everything we can to remove the stress of dealing with insurance companies and complicated legal situations so you can focus on recovery and getting back to living your life.

Whether you have been in an accident in Reno, Wendover, or anywhere else in our great state, contact our Las Vegas, NV, personal injury lawyers today for a free consultation. You deserve legal representation that cares about you. You deserve an Advocate.