Oklahoma Motorcycle Laws Guide | Hasbrook & Hasbrook (2024)

If you own a motorcycle, it’s important to know the Oklahoma motorcycle laws to be sure you’re riding legally. There are numerous laws around licensing, equipment, and safety, and some riders find it hard to track all the laws. If you break the law, you risk fines or even losing your license, but this guide will tell you everything you need to know about Oklahoma motorcycle laws so that does not happen.

Licensing and Endorsem*nts

If you want to legally ride a motorbike in Oklahoma, you need a motorcycle license or permit. If you already have a driving license for a car, you can add an endorsem*nt by taking the vision test and knowledge and skills tests.

Applying For A License

You can apply for your motorbike license at any Department of Public Safety exam office. You must be at least 16 years old to get a motorbike license. However, if you are under 16, you can still apply for a permit. This permit can then be upgraded to a license once you are old enough and have passed some further tests. Before you are given your license, you must pass a driver’s education program, which you can take at centers around Oklahoma. If you contact the Department for Public Safety, they can direct you to the nearest test center.

The Tests

You must pass several tests if you apply for a license or a motorbike permit. The Oklahoma motorcycle laws specify that all riders must pass these tests before they can legally ride a motorcycle without supervision.

The first will be a practical test where you demonstrate your ability to control the vehicle. You will also need to pass a vision test and prove that you have perfect vision. Finally, you will be given a test on your knowledge of road signs and laws. You can find practice tests on the DMV website to help you practice.

There is a $4 administration charge for putting the application in and a $21.50 charge for the license.

Paperwork

When you apply for your license, you are required to provide some paperwork as proof of identity. You will be asked to provide some of the following:

• Birth certificate.
• Instruction permit.
• Passport.
• Military ID.
• Marriage certificate.
• Parental consent form (if applicable).
• Social security number.

Further Educational Courses

Although it is not required under Oklahoma motorcycle laws, there are extra educational courses that you can take to learn more about safe riding techniques, choosing safety equipment for your motorcycle, and maintaining the vehicle. Although this is not a legal requirement, it is recommended to help you stay safe.

Riding Without A License

If you are from another state with a motorcycle license or endorsem*nt, you can legally ride your motorcycle in Oklahoma, and the authorities will accept your license. But strict penalties are in place if you are caught riding your motorcycle without a valid license.

In most cases, you will be subject to a fine of no less than $50 and no more than $300. However, the authorities reserve the right to imprison you for up to 30 days if the fine is not paid or if you have been charged with the offense before.

If you are handed a driving ban and continue to ride your motorcycle, very steep penalties exist. You can be fined anywhere between $100 and $500 for a first conviction. That fine increases to between $200 and $750 for a second offense and $300 to $1000 for a third offense. Riders caught driving under a ban for the third time can also be imprisoned for up to one year.

Oklahoma Helmet Laws

One of the most common questions about Oklahoma motorcycle laws is, do you need to wear a helmet? The laws around wearing helmets are relatively relaxed in Oklahoma, and adults over 18 can decide whether to wear a helmet.

However, anybody under the age of 18 is required by law to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. The helmet must meet safety standards set out by the Department of Transportation.

Although helmets are optional, there are some clear laws about other protective equipment you must wear. If you do not have a motorcycle helmet, you must wear some eye protection, such as goggles or glasses, and the motorbike must have a windscreen.

These laws about helmets are only applicable when driving on roads. If riding your motorcycle off-road, you are not required to follow helmet laws, even if you are younger than 18.

The helmet laws keep changing. Initially, Oklahoma was one of many states requiring all riders to wear helmets, but this law was changed to only include anybody under 21. It was then reversed, so all riders were required to wear helmets again before being amended a final time so only riders under 18 were required to wear a helmet. No federal laws about motorcycle helmets exist in the United States, and the laws vary by state. It is common for states to have laws similar to those in Oklahoma, but plenty of states require all riders to wear helmets. In Iowa and Illinois, nobody is required to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle.

See Oklahoma helmet laws for more info.

Equipment Laws

To ensure that motorcycles are safe, Oklahoma motorcycle laws set out guidelines for certain equipment that all motorcyclists must have.

All motorcycles must have two rearview mirrors installed (with a reflective surface of at least 3 inches), a fender over each wheel, a horn, a muffler, and a functioning speedometer. All motorcycles must also have a functioning headlight with off-white light and at least one red tail light. This light must be visible from 500 feet in daylight. You also need a visible reflector from a distance of between 100 and 600 feet.

Motorcycles must also have a windscreen; if there is no windscreen, you must wear eye protection. This must meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Z87.1.

If you are missing any of these things from your motorcycle, it is not considered roadworthy by the authorities, and riding it in its current state is illegal.

Motorcycle Exhaust Laws

Many states have laws about the noise levels produced by motorbikes. The Oklahoma motorcycle laws do not set out a statewide limit on the noise produced by motorcycles. For example, in Montana, no motorcycle can exceed 96 decibels, measured from a distance of 20 inches. However, the equipment guidelines specify that all motorcycles must have a functioning muffler that suppresses the noise.

Passenger Laws

If you want to take a passenger on your motorcycle, there are some strict requirements that you must meet. Even though you can get a motorcycle permit before age 16, you are not legally allowed to take passengers on your motorbike.

If you are over the age of 16 andintend to take passengers, Oklahoma motorcycle laws require your motorbike to have wheels at least 12 inches in diameter. Your motorcycle also needs a double seating device with double footrests. Alternatively, the motorbike needs a sidecar with a dedicated seating area.

In most states around the US, the laws are similar to Oklahoma and have no restrictions on the age of the passenger as long as all the other safety guidelines have been met. However, there are restrictions in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Washington, and passengers under a certain age (between 5 and 8, depending on the state) are not allowed.

Insurance Laws

The Oklahoma motorcycle laws set out rules about the insurance coverage that you require. As a motorcycle rider, you must demonstrate that you can be financially responsible in the event of an automobile accident, which means that you need insurance.

Every motorcycle rider in Oklahoma must carry an insurance policy that offers the following coverage:

• $25,000 for death or injury to a single person.
• $50,000 for death or injury to multiple people.
• $25,000 to cover property damage.

These minimum requirements may seem excessive, but when considering the cost of medical care and property damage caused by an accident, they may fall short of the total cost.

Oklahoma is also an ‘at fault’ state, which means that if you are involved in an accident, and it is considered your fault, you are liable for the cost. If you do not have insurance, you may be sued to pay for the property damage and the medical costs of anybody else involved in the accident.

Driving Laws

You must abide by certain driving laws when driving a motorcycle in Oklahoma. Aside from all the standard laws about speed limits and road signs, you must obey the rules about lane splitting.

Lane splitting is the technical term for cutting in between traffic, and it is prohibited in most states, including Oklahoma. California is currently the only US state that allows lane splitting, but it is legal in most places in Europe and Asia. It remains a contentious issue among legislators because some evidence suggests that it can improve safety and reduce traffic congestion. However, the Oklahoma motorcycle laws currently state that lane splitting is not allowed, and there may be penalties if caught lane splitting by the police.

In some states, it is illegal for two motorcycles to ride abreast in the same lane because it is unsafe. However, there is no mention of riding two abreast in the Oklahoma motorcycle laws, so it is not against the law.

The use of headphones is not specifically mentioned in the Oklahoma motorcycle laws, so the issue is a little more complex. It is not mentioned, which means that it is not strictly prohibited and not considered illegal. However, because Oklahoma is considered an “at-fault” state, wearing headphones will work against you if you have an accident. You may be considered to be more responsible for the accident because your hearing is impaired.

The Oklahoma driving laws surrounding headlight use are surprising to some because they state that you must have your headlights on at all times, even during the day. This is to improve safety and visibility for you and other road users. Several states have this law in place, but in some states, there are no restrictions on headlight use at all.

Compared with many other states, Oklahoma motorcycle driving laws are relatively relaxed. Helmets are not required for anybody over 18, and there are no restrictions on passengers. However, there are clear and precise laws about all motorcycle equipment and the level of insurance you need.