Florida Helmet Laws dictates that in order to ride without a helmet, one must meet two criteria: an age of at least 21 years and an insurance policy the meets or exceeds 10,000 in medical benefits. To set this type of insurance up you can contact either your medical or motorcycle insurance provider. Some medical insurance policies exclude extending coverage to accidents involving motorcycles; you’d be wise to double-check with your company to be absolutely certain of the details of your policy.
Law enforcement has been advised by the Florida Department Of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles to accept health insurance cards provided by HMOs–or any recognized health insurance provider–as valid proof. The insurance must not be expired. To stay in compliance with Florida Helmet Laws, all passengers must have equivalent insurance of their own. If you are on the motorcycle without a helmet you must have valid proof of the aforementioned.
Department Of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles has deemed helmet laws secondary. Meaning an officer should not perform a traffic stop based on helmet laws alone. Although, if an officer suspects the driver or passenger to be under 21 he may perform a traffic stop. If stopped, a motorcycle operator will be asked for his motorcycle endorsement and proof that the motorcycle is properly registered and insured. By informing yourself of Florida Helmet laws (statute 316.211) you will be prepared in the event that an officer stops you. If an officer chooses to write you a ticket despite proper riding procedure, chances are you are better informed of the laws than the officer pulling you over. With this knowledge you can choose to fight the ticket in traffic court and you will win if you HAVE followed the Florida Helmet Laws set forth.
It is important to note that proper eye protection gear is a requirement without a helmet, regardless of age. And if you do decide to ride your motorcycle with a helmet it must remain properly fastened any time the vehicle is in motion. The helmet must also meet the standards of Safety Standard 218 set forth by the Federal Motorcycle Vehicle Safety and the United States Department of Transportation.
While the power of knowledge cannot guarantee a completely safe ride on every motorcycle ride, it will insure the operator is well informed and educated of Florida Helmet Laws in the case of a traffic stop.
Share and Enjoy
Tagged with: Department Of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles • Florida Department Of Highway Safety • Florida Department Of Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles • Florida Helmet Law • Health Insurance Provider • Helmet Laws • Hmos • Insurance Cards • Insurance Policies • Insurance Policy • Medical Benefits • Medical Insurance • Motorcycle Endorsement • motorcycle helmet • Motorcycle Insurance • Motorcycle Operator • Proper Eye Protection • Traffic Court • Valid Proof • Vehic
Filed under: Motorcycles 101
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
It is always a big risk to ride a motor cycle without a helmet.I must say it is really suicidal.
My opinion is to raise the age bar to around 24.Because at 21 guys are more vulnerable to accidents.