Georgia’s Motorcycle License Requirements
Anyone riding a motorcycle in Georgia should be aware of the Georgia Motorcycle Street Legal requirements, but before you can legally ride, you need to know how to get your motorcycle license. Here are some things to keep in mind. You must be 17 years of age to apply for a Georgia motorcycle or Class M license. As with applying for any license, you will need to provide some documentation with your application. If you are a United States citizen, you will need to submit a primary document such as a birth certificate or passport. If you are not a citizen, you will need to submit a visa, I-94 or immigrant data summary. You will also need a social security card. As part of the application process, applicants will have to pass a vision test . You may meet the vision requirements using corrective lenses such as glasses or contacts. If you pass this vision exam, you will then have to pass the written portion of the Georgia Motorcycle Road Rules and Road Signs Test. In addition to this written test, motorcyclists are also required to take a road skills test. The Department of Driver Services allows you to skip the road test if you complete a Georgia Rider’s Course (BRC), which is the basic riding skills test. A novice rider training course offers nighttime, rain and street driving lessons for those who have never had a motorcycle license. If you wish, you can skip the BRC and retake the skills test so long as you have had at least 12 months of a Class C license before the end of the day you take the rescheduled test.
Necessary Items for Putting Your Motorcycle on the Street
Motorcycles must meet specific equipment requirements to be considered street legal in Georgia. Department of Revenue Rules § 560-2-2-.17(1) provides that "any motorcycle upon any public roadway in this state must be equipped with at least the following: … 4) At least one (1) handlebar mirror, and any such mirror must have the power to be adjusted without the operator of the motorcycle having to take both hands off the handlebars; and 5) At least two (2) turn signal lamp assemblies, which may be part of the required rear lamps, all of which must meet all of the specifications for stop lamp assemblies…"
The mirror must be placed so that from one of the operator’s normal riding positions, an operator can adjust the mirror and see a person who is standing directly behind the motorcycle by looking into the mirror and adjusting the mirror while keeping both hands on the handlebars. Turn signals (a.k.a.: indicators) must comply with the specifications set out in Department of Revenue Rules § 560-2-2-.12(4) for turn signals.
Motorcycle Insurance Obligations in Georgia
Georgia’s motorcycle insurance requirements are set forth in O.C.G.A. Section 33-7-11. This statute requires every driver of any motor vehicle, motorcycle, or similar motor driven equipment to have in effect a liability insurance policy or a general liability policy covering the vehicle operated and the owner of the vehicle if the owner is not personally operating the vehicle at the time. This policy must pay any person all sums that such person shall be legally entitled to recover from the owner or operator for injuries or damages to persons or property caused by the operation of the motor vehicle.
The Georgia minimum coverage limit is set at $25,000 for injury or death to any one person. The policy must also have an additional $50,000 for death or injury to two or more persons, and at least $25,000 for damage or destruction for property of others in any one accident. Some insurers, however, may choose to sell different policies covering vehicles for higher amounts or increased set limits and subject to certain terms and conditions.
In addition to the liability insurance policies, motorcyclists are required to carry proof of their compliance with the state law for inspection. If they do not, they risk being fined $25. Failure to carry motorcycle liability insurance is a misdemeanor punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Noise, Exhaust, and Emissions
The emissions and noise regulations for motorcycles are part of the Georgia law, Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391-3-20-.03 – Ozone Nonattainment General Requirements. Under the general requirements, it legal to operate motorcycles that meet what is generally known as EPA test standards. Motorcycles must pass the test for exhaust emissions, set forth at 40 CFR Part 86, Subparts E and F. Section 86.410 relates to motorcycles with engines up to 50 cc. Section 86.411 relates to engines of more than 50 cc. Motorcycles must have an EPA approval number indicating compliance from the EPA test standard before being offered for sale or being sold. In general, in Georgia if the EPA approval number on the EPA emissions label located on the motorcycle meets the requirements below, then the motorcycle will be in compliance with the noise regulations set forth at 391-3-20-.03(2)(c). (1) Noise and emission standards shall be those prescribed by the U.S. EPA and/or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in effect when the motorcycle was manufactured. (2) New passenger automobiles purchased after November 15 , 1975 shall: (A) Be determined to comply with noise emissions standards as certified by the U.S. EPA or the NHTSA or be certified as noise exempt in accordance with 40 Part 205 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (B) Meet either the NHTSA or the EPA emissions standards at the time of manufacture as evidenced by the certification label required by the regulations of the NHTSA and the EPA in effect at the time of manufacture. If you cannot locate the EPA approval number on a motorcycle, inspection personnel may verify title certificates that are required to indicating that the motorcycle is EPA approved, see Georgia Department of Revenue Q&A, Motorcycle Emissions and Noise. If a motorcycle is certified by the EPA do not issue a citation for emissions or noise problems. If a motorcycle has been submitted to the state EPA office and does not have the EPA number on the label, it is probably best to contact the State EPA office in Atlanta for guidance on this type of circumstance.
Registering Your Motorcycle
Registering a motorcycle in the State of Georgia is a relatively simple process, but it does require a few steps that must be followed to ensure that everything is done correctly. One of the first things that you will encounter as part of the registration process will be the decision to title your motorcycle. The required paperwork for this includes form MV-1, which is the application for a motor vehicle title and tag. You will also need to provide your motorcycle’s billed of sale (which you can find on the back of the MV-1 form), and if your motorcycle has a lien against it, you will need form MV-42, which is the Notice of Security Interest Transaction. These documents will be used to title your bike. Once you have obtained your title, you can then register your motorcycle, but it is important that this is done within 30 days of your purchase to avoid fines or penalties. Before registering your bike, you will want to verify with your county’s Tag Agent office that your motorcycle is eligible for registration. You should also learn about any special requirements that might apply in your county. Generally speaking, you might be able to register your motorcycle for a short-term (30 day) period, and after that time period expires, you would then go back to the Tag agent to register your motorcycle for a longer-term period (usually the standard period is a year). You will then need to pay a one-time fee, plus the cost of transferring the registration (if applicable) and an ad valorem tax. If you have failed to transfer your registration within the 30 day period, you may also be required to pay a penalty and/or any taxes that you would have owed, in addition to registration fees.
Helmet and Protective Gear
All motorcyclists in Georgia are required to wear a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet while riding on public roads. Those who don’t may be denied any compensation they may deserve in an accident. While no law states that motorcyclists must wear gloves, boots, or a jacket, these items are strongly recommended . A leather jacket will shield the body against scrapes and cuts. Gloves protect the hands from road burn injuries. Boots with high ankles give extra protection to the feet. By wearing a full set of protective gear when operating a motorcycle, a rider is less likely to sustain a serious injury if involved in a crash.