Penalties for riding a motorcycle without a license

Not wearing a helmet, driving without a licence or without insurance are the most common reasons for which you can be fined. But there are others that you may not be aware of.

Traffic rules are necessary to reduce all types of accidents. Do you know what the most common fines for motorcyclists in Spain are?

• Driving a motorbike without having passed the specific training: 200 euros.
• Driving without the vehicle having insurance in force to cover compulsory civil liability: between 650 euros and 1,250 euros.
• Failure to wear an approved protective helmet: 200 euros and 3 points deducted from the driving licence. If the person not wearing the helmet is the passenger on the motorbike, no points will be deducted.
• Driving with free exhaust and no blast silencer fitted or with an ineffective silencer: 200 euros.
• Driving with children under 12 years of age as passengers (except for children over 7 years of age if the driver is their parent or guardian): 200 euros.
• Failure to ride on the right-hand side of the road when pushing or pulling a motorbike: 80 euros.
• Driving without having your driving licence on you: 10 euros, if it is out of date or if there is any incorrect information (including the postal address), 80 euros. So remember to renew your driving licence. In addition, if you drive a motorbike with a licence that does not entitle you to do so, the fine is 500 euros and 4 points on your licence.
• Failure to obey a sign prohibiting entry for motorbikes, 80 euros.

In addition, in urban areas there are fines that may vary depending on the municipality. For example, if you park obstructing a pedestrian crossing, the fine is 200 euros. The same amount is payable if you park on a pavement that is no more than 3.5 metres wide. And remember not to do wheelies or skidding as the fine is 100 euros.

The best way to avoid all these penalties is to always respect the rules, to drive safely for your own sake and for the sake of those around you.

You ride a motorcycle because you're a free spirit who loves the open road and resists all things safe and conventional. Still, some rules are best not to break. Otherwise, you may quickly find yourself taking the bus around town.

Driving a motorcycle without a designated license or learner's permit will get you in trouble in any American state. How much trouble precisely will depend on individual state laws. Penalties range from simple fines to bike confiscation and being barred from riding a bike for some time.

Four Wheels Move the Body, Two Move the Soul

Don't tell the Hell's Angels this, but basically a motorcycle is no different from a car, legally speaking. You need to register your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles and have permission to be on the road as a motorcyclist.

Often that permission is contingent on a biker completing a course -- the equivalent to Driver's Education. To find out what the requirements are for riding a motorcycle in your state, see your Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Helmets, Insurance, and Related Rules

States also vary widely with respect to insurance and riding requirements. Make sure that you are adequately covered -- literally and figuratively -- where you live and where you travel and that you are familiar with the safety standards of states you visit before you go.

For example, in Florida, motorcyclists are not required to wear a helmet if they're over 21 years of age and have a minimum $10,000 personal insurance policy. In California, however, all motorcycle passengers must wear helmets regardless of the extent of their insurance coverage, and they must obtain insurance with contingencies for property damages and bodily injury suffered by others.

Mitigate Risk With the Right License

Riding a motorcycle is risky and is not for people who like to play it safe. But there is no need to take a risk when it comes to obtaining permission to ride. You jeopardize your ability to ride a motorcycle long-term if you don't get a special license or a motorcycle endorsement for your driver's license -- and failure to handle traffic violations can easily turn into an administrative nightmare, eventually subjecting you to criminal charges. Follow the rules, however, and you can ride free and easy.

Related Resources:

• Browse Criminal Defense Lawyers by Location (FindLaw's Directory)
• Motorcycle Accident Resources (FindLaw)
• Accident and Injury Law (FindLaw)

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