Anyone who has ever spent any time operating a motorcycle knows how different the experience can be from driving a passenger car with four wheels and an enclosed cabin, especially at high speeds. Despite those differences, state law largely treats motorcycles as identical to all other types of motor vehicles in terms of the rights and responsibilities it imposes on operators of these machines.
As a result, Reno motorcycle traffic laws are largely the same as the laws that apply to other forms of vehicular traffic, but there are a couple of unique aspects about how state law treats motorcycle riders. Perhaps even more importantly, you have the same right to file suit over a motorcycle crash caused by someone else that anyone else on a public street does. If you have been hurt in a wreck that was not your fault, contacting an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer should be among your top priorities.
Whether someone is riding on two wheels or driving on four wheels or more, all the standard rules of the road established under state law apply to them. That means motorcyclists are expected to obey all posted traffic signs and signals, yield the right-of-way to other drivers and pedestrians when appropriate, stay under posted speed limits, and ensure their motorcycles are equipped with functional headlights, brake lights, and—unless their motorcycle was manufactured before 1973—electronic turn signals that they use properly while navigating through traffic.
In some states, motorcyclists are allowed a few exceptions to these standard rules—for example, by being allowed to lane split and advance past slower traffic by riding on the painted lines between traffic lanes. Reno’s motorcycle traffic laws do not allow riders to engage in lane splitting like this, but two motorcycle operators can ride next to each other within a single traffic lane if both operators consent to it.
One important way in which state law treats motorcyclists differently from motor vehicle drivers is in the unique licensing requirements it imposes. It is against traffic laws to operate a motorcycle in Reno without first applying for and obtaining a Class M license, or without obtaining a motorcycle license from another state that is still valid while riding in Nevada.
Applying for a Class M license involves filing out different paperwork than a standard driver’s license application, as well as taking a separate written test and passing a separate road skills test. While people of age 16 and up can legally operate motorcycles, riders under 18 years of age can only apply for Class M permits after first obtaining a regular driver’s permit, and they can only ride with someone over 21 who has a Class M license supervising them until they become old or experienced enough to obtain a full Class M license themselves.
Obeying Reno motorcycle traffic laws can go a long way toward keeping you out of legal trouble and keeping you safe on the road. However, it is still possible for another driver’s irresponsible or illegal actions behind the wheel to end up causing an accident that even the most law-abiding motorcyclist cannot do anything to avoid.
If you have been hurt under circumstances like this, you have help available from knowledgeable legal counsel to understand and enforce your right to civil recovery. Call today for a consultation.
(775) 789-4944