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A Summary of the Current Laws for Motorcyclists
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| Helmet Use |
Ohio Revised Code § 4511.53: Operation of bicycles,
motorcycles, and snowmobiles.
(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no person shall operate or be a passenger on a snowmobile or motorcycle without using safety glasses or other protective eye device. Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, no person who is under the age of eighteen years, or who holds a motorcycle operator's endorsement or license bearing a "novice" designation that is currently in effect as provided in section 4507.13 of the Revised Code, shall operate a motorcycle on a highway, or be a passenger on a motorcycle, unless wearing a United States department of transportation-approved protective helmet on the person's head, and no other person shall be a passenger on a motorcycle operated by such a person unless similarly wearing a protective helmet. The helmet, safety glasses, or other protective eye device shall conform with rules adopted by the director of public safety. The provisions of this paragraph or a violation thereof shall not be used in the trial of any civil action. (2) Division (C)(1) of this section does not apply to a person operating an autocycle or cab-enclosed motorcycle when the occupant compartment top is in place enclosing the occupants. Resources: Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules, Legislative Service Commission |
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| Excessive Motorcycle Sound |
Ohio Revised Code § 4513.221: Local regulation of
passenger car and motorcycle noise.
(A) The board of county commissioners of any county, and the board of township trustees of any township subject to section 505.17 of the Revised Code, may regulate passenger car and motorcycle noise on streets and highways under their jurisdiction. Such regulations shall include maximum permissible noise limits measured in decibels, subject to the requirements of this section. (B) Regulations establishing maximum permissible noise limits measured in decibels shall prohibit the operation, within the speed limits specified herein, of a passenger car or motorcycle of a type subject to registration at any time or under any condition of load, acceleration, or deceleration in such manner as to exceed the following maximum noise limits, based on a distance of not less than fifty feet from the center of the line of travel: (2) For motorcycles: (a) When operated at a speed of thirty-five miles per hour or less, a maximum noise limit of eighty-two decibels; (b) When operated at a speed of more than thirty-five miles per hour, a maximum noise limit of eighty-six decibels. Resources: Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules |
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| Distracted and Inattentive Driving |
Ohio Revised Code § 4511.204: Driving while texting.
(A) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar on any street, highway, or property open to the public for vehicular traffic while using, holding, or physically supporting with any part of the person's body an electronic wireless communications device. (B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to any of the following: (1) A person using an electronic wireless communications device to make contact, for emergency purposes, with a law enforcement agency, hospital or health care provider, fire department, or other similar emergency agency or entity; (2) A person driving a public safety vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device in the course of the person's duties; (3) A person using an electronic wireless communications device when the person's motor vehicle is in a stationary position and is outside a lane of travel, at a highway traffic signal that is currently directing traffic to stop, or parked on a road or highway due to an emergency or road closure; (4) A person using and holding an electronic wireless communications device directly near the person's ear for the purpose of making, receiving, or conducting a telephone call, provided that the person does not manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols into the device; (5) A person receiving wireless messages on an electronic wireless communications device regarding the operation or navigation of a motor vehicle; safety-related information, including emergency, traffic, or weather alerts; or data used primarily by the motor vehicle, provided that the person does not hold or support the device with any part of the person's body; (6) A person using the speaker phone function of the electronic wireless communications device, provided that the person does not hold or support the device with any part of the person's body; (7) A person using an electronic wireless communications device for navigation purposes, provided that the person does not do either of the following during the use: (a) Manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols into the device; (b) Hold or support the device with any part of the person's body. (8) A person using a feature or function of the electronic wireless communications device with a single touch or single swipe, provided that the person does not do either of the following during the use: (a) Manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols into the device; (b) Hold or support the device with any part of the person's body. (9) A person operating a commercial truck while using a mobile data terminal that transmits and receives data; (10) A person operating a utility service vehicle or a vehicle for or on behalf of a utility, if the person is acting in response to an emergency, power outage, or circumstance that affects the health or safety of individuals; (11) A person using an electronic wireless communications device in conjunction with a voice-operated or hands-free feature or function of the vehicle or of the device without the use of either hand except to activate, deactivate, or initiate the feature or function with a single touch or swipe, provided the person does not hold or support the device with any part of the person's body; (12) A person using technology that physically or electronically integrates the device into the motor vehicle, provided that the person does not do either of the following during the use: (a) Manually enter letters, numbers, or symbols into the device; (b) Hold or support the device with any part of the person's body. (13) A person storing an electronic wireless communications device in a holster, harness, or article of clothing on the person's body. Resources: Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules |
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| Motorcycle Endorsement Requirements |
Ohio Revised Code § 4507.11: Examination for
temporary permit, license or endorsement -
examiner's driving permit.
(3) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, an applicant for a motorcycle operator's endorsement or a restricted license that permits only the operation of a motorcycle shall give an actual demonstration of the ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motorcycle by driving a motorcycle under the supervision of an examining officer. However, no applicant for such an endorsement or restricted license shall use a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter for the purpose of demonstrating ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motorcycle. (B)(1) An applicant for a motorcycle operator's endorsement or a restricted license that permits only the operation of a motorcycle who presents to the registrar of motor vehicles or a deputy registrar a form approved by the director of public safety attesting to the applicant's successful completion within the preceding sixty days of a course of basic instruction provided by the motorcycle safety and education program approved by the director pursuant to section 4508.08 of the Revised Code shall not be required to give an actual demonstration of the ability to operate a motorcycle by driving a motorcycle under the supervision of an examining officer, as described in division (A) of this section. An applicant for a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter operator's endorsement or a restricted license that permits only the operation of a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter who presents to the registrar of motor vehicles or a deputy registrar a form approved by the director of public safety attesting to the applicant's successful completion within the preceding sixty days of a course of basic instruction provided by the motorcycle safety and education program approved by the director pursuant to section 4508.08 of the Revised Code shall not be required to give an actual demonstration of the ability to operate a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter by driving a motor-driven cycle or motor scooter under the supervision of an examining officer, as described in division (A) of this section. Upon presentation of the form described in division (B)(1) of this section and compliance with all other requirements relating to the issuance of a motorcycle operator's endorsement or a restricted license that permits only the operation of a motorcycle, the registrar or deputy registrar shall issue to the applicant the endorsement or restricted license, as the case may be. Resources: Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules |
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| Motorcycle Rider Education | See Motorcycle Endorsement Requirements. | |
| State Insurance Requirements |
Ohio Revised Code § 4509.51: Requirements for
owner's liability insurance.
Subject to the terms and conditions of an owner's policy, every owner's policy of liability insurance: (A) Shall designate by explicit description or by appropriate reference all motor vehicles with respect to which coverage is thereby granted; (B) Shall insure the person named therein and any other person, as insured, using any such motor vehicles with the express or implied permission of the insured, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of such vehicles within the United States or Canada, subject to monetary limits exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each such motor vehicle, as follows: (1) Twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident; (2) Fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident; (3) Twenty-five thousand dollars because of injury to property of others in any one accident. Resources: Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules, Ohio Revised Code |
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| Dead Red |
Ohio Revised Code § 4511.132: Operation at intersections
with malfunctioning traffic control signal lights. (A) The driver of a vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley who approaches an intersection where traffic is controlled by highway traffic signals shall do all of the following if the signal facing the driver exhibits no colored lights or colored lighted arrows, exhibits a combination of such lights or arrows that fails to clearly indicate the assignment of right-of-way, or, if the vehicle is a bicycle or an electric bicycle, the signals are otherwise malfunctioning due to the failure of a vehicle detector to detect the presence of the bicycle or electric bicycle: (1) Stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, stop before entering the intersection; (2) Yield the right-of-way to all vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys in the intersection or approaching on an intersecting road, if the vehicles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys will constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection or junction of roadways; (3) Exercise ordinary care while proceeding through the intersection. (B) Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. If the offender commits the offense while distracted and the distracting activity is a contributing factor to the commission of the offense, the offender is subject to the additional fine established under section 4511.991 of the Revised Code. Resources: Ohio Laws & Administrative Rules |
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| Helmet Speakers | No Restrictions | |
| Periodic Safety Inspection | Required by law - random | |
| Mirrors | Left and right required by law | |
| Radar Detector | No Restriction | |
| Turn Signals | Required if manufactured in 1968 and after | |
| Muffler | Muffler required | |
| Maximum Sound Level | Counties and Townships may adopt regulations that establish Max A-weighted sound level based on measurement at a distance not less than 50 feet from center line of travel (Title 45, 4513.221): 1)82dBA at 35 mph or less; 2)86dBA at more than 35 mph. | |
| State Insurance Requirements | Compulsory Liability (Minimum Limits)(12.5/25/7.5) | |
| Handlebar Height | Maximum of 15" above seat & can not be above shoulder level. | |
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Contact us if you notice any discrepancies of the above listed laws. |
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