North and South Carolina Motorcycle Laws 101

All vehicles, whether a small sedan or a big commercial truck, are governed by specific state and federal laws. If you are not aware of these general rules and regulations, you could be opening yourself up to major fines, a suspended license or even jail time if an accident was involved. No matter what you drive, it is therefore strongly recommended that you learn the laws governing your specific state. This goes for motorcycle laws too.

The Tatum Law Firm has represented individuals all over the spectrum in our many years of service, and we have seen plenty of motorcycle accidents in our time. If you own a motorcycle in North Carolina or South Carolina, you should be aware of the following rules that can keep you out of trouble with the law.

Motorcycle Laws in North Carolina

If you have a motorcycle endorsement on your out of state license, you should be fine to ride in North Carolina, though there are some specific laws you will want to know before hitting the road.

• You must wear a helmet. This includes not just the driver but any passengers as well. This does not mean you also need eye protection, but basic head covering, as fits federal guidelines, is required.
• The motorcycle must be built to carry two people if you are going to have any passengers riding along. Whether this means a separate passenger seat or small footrests, it is entirely up to you.
• Two motorcycles can drive next to each other in the same lane, but you are not allowed to lane split (driving in between other cars).
• One headlamp on the motorcycle must be on at all times, even during the day.
• All motorcycles should have a rearview mirror.

Motorcycle Laws in South Carolina

Motorcycle laws here are very close to those in North Carolina. These are the common similarities.

• Passengers can ride along if the motorcycle is built for two people, either through footrests or another seat.
• One headlamp must be on at all times, including during the day.
• The motorcycle must have at least a single rear view

The major difference between North and South Carolina motorcycle laws is the use of the helmet. In South Carolina, all motorcycle riders under the age of 21 must wear both a helmet and eye protection. If you are aged 21 and over, you do not have to wear either.

Learn More from a Personal Injury Attorney

The rules governing motorcycle driving in North and South Carolina are fairly straightforward, and as long as you abide by these regulations, you should be set to go without any worries. However, sometimes accidents do happen, and when that accident could have been avoided, you may need to get a personal injury attorney on your side to find out who exactly is at fault.

If you would like to learn more about motorcycle laws in North and South Carolina, contact a representative at the Tatum Law Firm today to get started.