Motorcycle Licensing Requirements in Tampa, FL

Motorcycle riding is popular throughout Florida. Some people learn to ride a motorcycle before they learn to drive a car.

Before you can legally ride a motorcycle in Tampa, you must obtain a motorcycle license. A Florida driver’s license is different from a motorcycle license. 

Motorcycle licensing ensures that a person has the basic skills and knowledge to operate a motorcycle safely. Unfortunately, obtaining a motorcycle license or endorsement doesn’t prevent you from being involved in a motorcycle accident. Thousands of motorcyclists are injured or killed each year in motorcycle crashes.

The Tampa motorcycle accident lawyers of Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers assist riders with personal injury claims. We stand with motorcyclists as they fight to obtain fair compensation for their injuries and damages. Our lawyers have over 120 years of collective legal experience representing injury victims.

Contact our Tampa, FL law office to schedule your free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, call us at (813) 222-8656 today.

Our Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Help You Get the Money You Deserve 

Our Tampa Personal Injury Lawyers Help You Get the Money You Deserve 

Since 1992, Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers has helped our clients recover over $500 million in compensation for damages. Our team of trained trial litigators are skilled negotiators and aggressive courtroom advocates for our clients. We diligently pursue all legal causes of action to recover the money you deserve for motorcycle injuries.

When you hire our legal team, you can expect us to:

  • Investigate the cause of the motorcycle crash to determine fault
  • Identify each party who is liable for your damages
  • File insurance claims and negotiate settlement agreements
  • Document your damages and calculate the value of your injury claim 
  • Work with medical experts to document the extent of your injuries
  • Monitor statutes of limitations for filing lawsuits

The insurance company for the at-fault driver may pressure you to accept a settlement agreement. However, you could be entitled to more money. Call our law firm to schedule a free case review to discuss your case with a Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer.

What Are Motorcycle Licensing Requirements in Tampa, FL?

There are two types of motorcycle licenses in Florida. A Florida rider can obtain a motorcycle endorsement or a “motorcycle only” license in Florida. 

Obtaining a Motorcycle Endorsement 

If you have at least a valid Class E driver’s license, you may obtain a motorcycle endorsement to operate a motorcycle. The endorsement is an add-on that allows you to operate a motorcycle in addition to your car.

Requirements for an endorsement include:

  • Completion of  the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic RiderCourse (BRC); or the
  • Basic RiderCourse updated (BRCu)

The motorcycle safety courses must be completed through a sponsor authorized by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) Florida Rider Training Program. 

The RiderCourses cover motorcycle skills and how to avoid a motorcycle crash. The training courses also include on-cycle riding lessons. Studies indicate that motorcycle riders who complete the basic rider courses have lower risk of death and injury than untrained riders. 

Experienced riders with a motorcycle endorsement from another state (other than Alabama) do not need to complete the BRC to receive a motorcycle endorsement. Alabama riders with a motorcycle endorsement must take the motorcycle training course. They can skip the course if they produce a completion card for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation BRC.

The course completion is good for one year. If you don’t obtain a motorcycle endorsement within a year after completing the course, you must retake the course if you want a motorcycle endorsement. 

Obtaining a Motorcycle Only Driver License

If you don’t plan to also drive a car, you may want to obtain a motorcycle only driver license. For this licence, you must be at least 16 years of age and hold a Learner’s License for one year if under the age of 18 years. The same knowledge test for a regular Class E driver’s license is used for the motorcycle only driver’s license. Individuals must also complete the BRC or BRCu through an authorized Sponsor. 

More information about a motorcycle driver’s license or motorcycle endorsement is available from the FLHSMV.

Required Motorcycle Insurance in Florida

Florida does not require motorcycle insurance to register a motorcycle. However, if a motorcyclist is charged in an accident with injuries, the rider is financially liable for property damage and bodily injury. 

If the rider did not have liability insurance coverage, the rider must purchase such coverage for the next three years. Failure to maintain liability insurance for three years results in license and tag/registration suspension.

Florida has mandatory motorcycle helmet laws, but there are some exceptions. For instance, riders over the age of 21 years who want to ride without a motorcycle helmet must have insurance. They must purchase at least $10,000 in insurance with medical benefits.

Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Tampa, FL

Florida’s no-fault insurance does not apply to motorcycle accidents.

If another driver causes your motorcycle crash, you can seek compensation for damages including:

  • Cost of medical treatment 
  • Nursing and personal care
  • Loss of income
  • Mental and emotional distress
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Permanent disabilities and impairments
  • Scarring and disfigurement 

However, you must prove causation before recovering compensation. That requires you prove the other driver breached the duty of care and caused your injuries. Without proof of negligence, you may be unable to prove liability.

Our legal team at Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers takes care of the legal requirements for you. We gather evidence proving fault and liability so you can recover compensation for your damages. 

However, time to pursue a personal injury claim is limited by the Florida statute of limitations. Don’t delay in seeking legal advice or you could lose your right to compensation for motorcycle injuries. 

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Tampa Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Motorcycle crashes can cause severe injuries and permanent impairments. You should not bear the financial losses caused by a negligent driver. Our legal team has experience handling all types of motorcycle claims including lane splitting accidents.

Call now for a free consultation with an experienced Tampa motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your legal options after a motorcycle crash.