Children and teens face strict guidelines when traveling California’s freeways and streets. But under certain circumstances, they are allowed to be a passenger on a motorcycle and even take the handlebars themselves at a certain age.
Minors As Motorcycle Passengers in California
California allows any minors (under 18-years-old) to ride as a passenger on a motorcycle, but the child must meet a height restriction in order to legally climb aboard.
The child must be at least four feet nine inches. This matches the height requirement of a child who no longer has to sit in a car seat while in a vehicle.
The child must also be able to touch the footrests of the motorcycle they are on, no matter their height. Like all motorcyclists in California, the child is required to wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet that fits properly.
Minors Licensed To Drive a Motorcycle
Minors of driving age can also get a license to drive a motorcycle on their own as long as they pass certain written and skills tests and meet certain other requirements according to the California DMV Motorcycle Handbook.
- Minors must have had an M1 or M2 permit for at least 6 months. They must be 16-years-old when they apply. Drivers with a M1 or M2 permit may not carry passengers, ride on freeways, or ride at night.
- Along with this permit, applicants 15 and ½ years old or under 17 and ½ years old must have proof of completion of both driver education and driver training courses.
- -or- have a Class C driver license, and pass both the driver knowledge and the motorcycle driver knowledge test.
- They must pass a California Highway Patrol Motorcycle Skills Training Course and submit a Certificates of Completion of Motorcycle Training (DL 389).
- Have the signatures of parents or guardians.
- Applicants 18 years old or older, but under 21 years old, must submit a DL 389, and pass both the driver knowledge and the motorcycle driver knowledge test.
If You Are in a Motorcycle Accident in California…
If you or a loved one are hurt in a motorcycle accident discuss your options and your future with an Attorney serving California Motorcycle Accident Victims. Don’t allow insurance adjusters to decide what you should receive after an accident. They work in favor of their companies, not you or your family.
Martin Gasparian, the founder of Maison Law, works hard to see that motorcyclists are never blamed unfairly for an accident. Contact Maison Law for a free, no-obligation case consultation to find out how to earn the financial support you need to pay hospital bills and get back on your motorcycle again.
