New York Motorcycle Laws

Road Safety Helmet Required by law-reflectorization required State Funded Rider Ed Available Eye Protection Required by law Daytime Use of Headlight Required by law-modulating headlight permitted Passenger Seat Required if carrying a passenger Passenger Footrest Required if carrying a passenger Passenger Age Restriction None Helmet Speakers Single earphone only Periodic Safety Inspection Required by law Mirror Left(L) Right(R) Required by law Radar Detector No Restriction Turn Signals Required if manufactured in 1985 or after Muffler Muffler required; no straight pipes; no removal of baffles; no modification of exhaust system that increases noise beyond exhaust system originally installed. Ref: NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law, Article 9, Section 381 Maximum Sound Level Maximum Allowable A-Weighted Sound Levels at Speed: 35 mph or less, 82 dB(A); over 35 mph, 86 dB(A), measured at, or adjusted to, a distance of fifty feet from the center of the lane in which the motorcycle is traveling. Ref: NYS Vehicle & Traffic Law, Article 10, Section 386. State Insurance Requirements Compulsory Liability (Minimum Limits)(25/50/10) - Minimum limits where death results are 50/100. Handlebar Height Handle bars or grips cannot be more than the height of the operator's shoulders. Rider-Education Waiver Skill Test Accept Motorcycle Endorsement From Other States Yes Motorcycles operating two abreast in same lane Yes. § 1252. Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic (a) All motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane and no motor vehicle or motorcycle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane. However, this subsection shall not be construed to prevent motorcycles from being operated two abreast in a single lane. Lane Splitting § 1252. Operating motorcycles on roadways laned for traffic (b) The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken. (c) No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. Off Road Safety Helmet Required by law Eye Protection Not Required Minimum Operator Age Direct supervision of a person 18 or older if under the age of 16 Rider Education Certification Required if operator is at least 10 years old, but less than 16 Operator License Must carry liability insurance Headlight Required after sunset Taillight Required after sunset Muffler Required by law Maximum Sound Level No Limit Spark Arrestor Required by law Registration Required by law Trails Program Not Available