Having a license to drive a motor vehicle does not automatically mean that you have permission to operate a motorcycle. You need to have a special permit under state law before you can ride a bike. While there are some similarities with the process for a standard driver’s license, you still need to go through a special permitting exercise to be able to ride a bike in Pennsylvania. While you are learning and qualifying for your permit, there may be some restrictions on when and how you can operate a motorcycle.
How Do I Get a Permit for a Motorcycle in Pennsylvania?
Just like getting a driver’s license, the first step towards being able to operate a motorcycle in Pennsylvania is to get a learner’s permit. There are two prerequisites for a learner’s permit: Passing a vision test and a motorcycle knowledge examination. Once you have a permit, you will practice and build the skills necessary to qualify for a Class M license. Prior to obtaining a license, you would need to pass a skills test administered at a PennDOT location.
Does My Riding Need to Be Supervised?
When you have a permit to drive a car, you need to have another licensed driver in the vehicle over the age of 21. Of course, when you are riding a motorcycle, it is often not possible to have someone supervising you. In fact, you are prohibited from having anyone on the back of the bike who is not a licensed instructor.
Are There Restrictions on My Riding with a Learner’s Permit?
When you have a driver’s license permit, you are prohibited from driving between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. The restrictions are greater when you have a motorcycle permit. Here, you are not allowed to operate a motorcycle between Sunset and sunrise. In other words, you cannot ride on your own after dark before you have a full motorcycle permit.
If you are under the age of 18, you need at least six months and 65 hours of practical motorcycle riding experience before you can take the test for a full motorcycle license.
What Is the Permitting or License Test Like?
When it comes to a driver’s license test in Pennsylvania, you would need to show that you have substantive skills that would allow you to operate a car. The driver’s license test requires that you are successfully able to parallel park. In addition, there is a test on main roads where the examiner would observe how you operate the vehicle and follow traffic instructions. The motorcycle test in Pennsylvania asks you to perform the following basic skills:
- Left circles
- Right circles
- Figure eights
You only have a limited amount of space to execute these maneuvers, so it is essential that you practice extensively beforehand.
What if I Fail the Test?
If you fail the road test portion of the driver’s license examination in Pennsylvania, you do not have to wait very long to retake it. If you are over the age of 18, you can take it again the next day. If you are under the age of 18, you can retake the test after seven or more days. The rules are similar for motorcycle license examinations.
It is possible to ride a motorcycle safely in Pennsylvania when you have extensively trained and when you operate the bike prudently. However, you cannot control what other drivers do on the road. Their actions may injure you, giving you a legal entitlement to financial compensation when you can prove that they were to blame for the accident.
Contact a Montgomery County Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Bikers Have Rights
If you have been injured in a crash, a Montgomery County motorcycle accident lawyer at Bikers Have Rights can help you in the legal process. All you need to do is reach out to us online or call us today at 215-525-1616 or 877-333-0300 to schedule a free initial consultation. Located in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.