Those who plan to obtain a licence to drive a motorcycle have until next Tuesday, July 1, 2008 to do so without further training.
Effective Tuesday, a new Florida law will require all motorcyclists to take a basic rider course through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The course must be taken before a rider can have the motorcycle endorsement added to their driver’s license. The test will apply to everyone, no matter their age.
The Basic Rider Course is obtainable on a web site of the state. After completing the course, the teacher will transmit the results electronically to the state to then contact the rider to apply to the nearest driver license office for the endorsement. There of course is a charge for the test.
There is also a number to find a test site (850) 488- 3286 and the Web site is: http://motorcycles.hsmv.state.fl.us/
After July 1, anyone driving a motorcycle without the endorsement will be violating the law.
Florida still allows a person, 21 or older, to ride a motorcycle without a helmet if they carry proof of an insurance policy providing for at least $10,000 in medical benefits for injuries incurred as a result of a crash on a motorcycle. Those under 21 operating motorcycles, or riding as a passenger, must wear a Department approved motorcycle helmet.
And anyone operating a motorcycle must wear eye protection.
Federal statistics show there were 76,000 injuries among motorcycle riders and more than 4,000 killed in 2004.
Any additional training and requirements will help keep our citizens alive. Don’t expect a helmet law anytime soon, but with one, hundreds of lives could be saved every year as well.
