California Motorcycle Laws: What Every Rider Needs to Know
California: The Best—and Most Regulated—Place to Ride
California offers riders everything: mountain passes, coastal highways, desert straightaways, and urban gridlock you can split through legally. But it also comes with some of the strictest motorcycle regulations in the country.
That’s not all bad. California’s motorcycle laws were built to protect riders and save lives—but they’re also complex. Miss one small requirement, and you can find yourself with a fix-it ticket, a suspended license, or worse, blamed unfairly after a crash.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we believe knowledge is power. The better you understand California’s motorcycle laws, the safer—and freer—you’ll ride.
1. Licensing and Endorsements
To legally ride in California, you need a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license.
M1 License: Allows you to operate any two-wheel motorcycle or motor-driven cycle.
M2 License: Allows only motorized bicycles, mopeds, and scooters under specific power limits.
You can apply for the M1 or M2 after passing a written test and completing a California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) course. If you’re under 21, the CMSP course is mandatory before you can even take the DMV skills test.
Pro tip: Even experienced riders benefit from the CMSP. Completing it can lower insurance rates, counts as solid proof of rider competence if you ever end up in court and can even save your life.
2. Helmet Law
California’s universal helmet law (Vehicle Code §27803) requires every rider and passenger to wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet.
This is non-negotiable. Police officers can—and do—cite riders for novelty or non-certified helmets. Helmets must:
Have a DOT sticker permanently affixed by the manufacturer.
Fit snugly without moving or tipping.
Include proper padding and chin straps.
We’ve seen defense lawyers in injury cases try to argue that a rider’s head injury was their “own fault” for wearing a non-compliant helmet. Don’t give them that opening. A legal helmet isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protection, credibility, and respect for your own life.
3. Lane Splitting
California is the only state in America that explicitly allows lane splitting.
Thanks to AB 51, passed in 2016, riders can legally ride between lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic if it’s done in a “safe and prudent manner.”
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) issued practical guidelines—not enforceable laws, but good rules of thumb:
Safer when traffic is moving under 30 mph
Keep your speed no more than 10 mph faster than surrounding traffic
Avoid splitting near large vehicles (buses, trucks, trailers)
Never split between the far-right lane and the shoulder (the shoulder is off-limits)
4. Passenger and Cargo Rules
If you plan to carry a passenger, your motorcycle must have:
A permanent passenger seat, and
Passenger footrests.
Passengers must wear helmets and sit astride the bike facing forward. Children can ride as passengers only if their feet reach the footrests—there’s no specific age requirement, but safety always comes first.
Carrying cargo? It can’t block your view, limit your ability to operate, or shift in a way that affects balance. Tie it down securely. The moment a bag or box interferes with handling, you’re technically in violation of Vehicle Code §24002 (“unsafe vehicle condition”).
5. Equipment Requirements
Every motorcycle in California must meet specific equipment standards. Here’s what that means in practice:
Lighting
Headlight: Required day and night for motorcycles built after 1978.
Taillight and brake light: Must be visible from 500 feet.
Turn signals: Required for bikes built after 1973.
Mirrors
At least one mirror is required, but two are better for safety—and credibility after a crash.
Exhaust Systems
California is strict about noise and emissions.
Vehicle Code §27150–27159: Prohibits “excessive or unusual noise.”
Aftermarket exhausts: Must be EPA-certified; tampering with emissions systems is illegal.
We get it—many riders love the sound of a deep rumble. But illegal exhaust tickets are common, and those mods can be used against you later if a defense lawyer argues your bike was “non-compliant.”
License Plate Display
Plates must be mounted horizontally and clearly visible at all times. A white light must illuminate the plate at night.
Avoid plate covers, tinted shields, or flip devices—lawmakers are cracking down on them because of hit-and-run abuse.
6. Insurance Requirements
All riders must maintain proof of financial responsibility. As of 2025, California’s updated minimum liability insurance limits are:
$30,000 for injury/death to one person
$60,000 for injury/death to multiple people
$15,000 for property damage
These limits used to be much lower—but even now, they barely cover a hospital stay. We always advise carrying far more, especially uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM).
If you’re hit by someone without insurance (and it happens a lot), UM/UIM coverage is what saves your future.
7. Noise and Emissions
California’s Motorcycle Anti-Tampering Act prohibits modifying exhaust or emissions components on bikes built after 2013. The state’s environmental standards are among the toughest in the world, and CHP officers have authority to issue citations on sight.
It’s not just about sound—it’s about smog compliance. Even if you live far from L.A., these regulations apply statewide.
If your bike came with a catalytic converter, removing or replacing it with a non-certified unit is a violation of California Health & Safety Code §43008.6.
8. Motorcycle Equipment for Safety and Visibility
Beyond what’s required, California law encourages riders to take visibility seriously. Bright colors, reflective tape, and functioning lights aren’t just good practice—they can determine fault if you’re in a collision.
Insurance companies often argue “the driver didn’t see the motorcycle.” The better lit and visible you are, the less credible that argument becomes.
If you commute through fog or ride coastal routes like Highway 1 through Big Sur, run your headlight even during the day. It’s legal—and smart.
9. Speed and Reckless Riding
California applies the same basic speed law to motorcycles as it does to cars: you must never ride faster than is “reasonable or prudent” for current conditions.
Reckless driving (Vehicle Code §23103) includes excessive speeding, wheelies, racing, or weaving through traffic in a way that endangers others. Convictions can mean license suspension, fines, or even jail time.
But here’s the nuance: lane splitting itself is not reckless driving unless it’s done unsafely. CHP officers have discretion, so keep your maneuvers smooth, predictable, and respectful.
10. Cell Phones, Earbuds, and Distractions
California’s distracted driving laws extend to motorcyclists:
Vehicle Code §23123.5: prohibits holding a phone while riding.
Mount your phone on the handlebars or use a voice-activated headset.
As for earbuds: you can wear one earphone only. Both ears covered? That’s illegal under Vehicle Code §27400.
These rules may feel strict, but they exist to keep riders alive. Most motorcycle collisions happen because the other driver wasn’t paying attention—don’t let that driver be you.
11. Lane Sharing, Filtering, and Shoulders
We already covered lane splitting, but here’s the key distinction:
Lane splitting: Legal when done safely between lanes of traffic.
Lane filtering: Riding between cars stopped at a red light—also legal under the same principle.
Riding on the shoulder: Illegal. The shoulder is not a traffic lane, and CHP can cite you for it.
If traffic is completely stopped, you can move between lanes slowly, but stay aware of opening car doors and sudden merges.
12. Parking and Equipment Security
California allows motorcycles to park in most standard vehicle spaces and on certain curbs if not marked “No Parking.” However:
You cannot park within the same meter space as a car unless the city specifically allows it.
Sidewalk parking is prohibited statewide.
Blocking pedestrian or disabled access is a violation.
Use a disc lock or anchor when parking in public areas—motorcycle theft is common, and insurance companies often look for evidence of reasonable precautions before paying out.
13. What Happens After a Motorcycle Crash
If you’re in a crash that causes injury, death, or more than $1,000 in property damage, you must file a California SR-1 Accident Report with the DMV within 10 days—even if the police already made a report.
Failing to file can lead to suspension of your license and registration.
If another driver caused the crash, talk to a California motorcycle accident attorney before filing insurance statements. Insurers move fast to limit payouts, and statements made in confusion can be twisted against you.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we handle everything from day-one investigations to trial, ensuring your side of the story is the one that matters.
14. Young and New Riders
California has graduated licensing requirements for young riders:
Must be at least 15½ years old for a permit.
Under 21: must complete the CMSP course.
Under 18: need parental consent.
Permits come with restrictions: no passengers, no freeway riding, and no night riding.
It might feel limiting, but these rules save lives. Most serious crashes happen in the first year of riding. Treat that time as your apprenticeship—learn, practice, and ride smart.
15. Understanding Rider Bias in the Legal System
One of the most frustrating parts of motorcycle law is rider bias. Even in California—home to more than 800,000 registered motorcycles—some jurors, adjusters, and police officers assume the rider “must have been speeding.”
That’s why compliance matters. A current license, legal helmet, and proper insurance aren’t just boxes to check—they’re your credibility shield. They help your attorney fight back against bias and prove you were the responsible one.
16. Resources for Riders
Here are a few official resources every California rider should bookmark:
California DMV Motorcycle Handbook – up-to-date licensing info
CHP Lane Splitting Safety Tips – the state’s own best-practice guide
California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) – course locations and schedules
California Vehicle Code Sections 27800–27803, 23103, 23123.5, 27400 – core motorcycle laws
And, of course, McCarthy Motorcycle Law’s blog—we regularly publish updates on new laws, safety bills, and case insights for riders across the Central Coast and beyond.
17. Knowledge Is Power—and Protection
California’s motorcycle laws can seem like red tape, but they’re actually your toolkit for safer, freer riding. When you know your rights, you ride with confidence. When your paperwork, gear, and equipment are all legal, you ride without fear.
At McCarthy Motorcycle Law, we believe every rider deserves to enjoy this state’s incredible roads without worrying about unfair tickets or insurance games.
If you’ve been hurt—or just want to double-check your coverage, gear, or crash preparedness—reach out for a free, confidential case evaluation. It goes straight to our inbox, not a call center. If we can help, we’ll take your case. If not, we’ll make sure you know who can.
Because at the end of the day, California’s Motorcycle Law Firm isn’t just our slogan—it’s our mission.