Rhode Island Motorcycle Laws and Information
Legislature
| State
Motorcyclists Rights Organization (SMRO)
Motorcycle helmet law:
§ 31-10.1-4 Required equipment. – Operators of motorcycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven cycles shall use eye protection of a type approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles when operating their vehicles on streets and highways. Every motorcycle, motor scooter, and motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with a rear view mirror. Any operator under the age of twenty-one (21) shall wear a helmet of a type approved by the administrator of motor vehicles. In addition, all new operators, regardless of age, shall be required, for a period of one year from the date of issuance of the first license pursuant to § 31-10.1-1, to wear a helmet of a type approved by said administrator. Any person deemed in violation of this provision shall be fined sixty dollars ($60.00) which shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 41.1 of this title. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized to set forth rules and regulations governing the use of other equipment on those vehicles. All fines collected under this section shall be deposited in a general restricted receipt account for the use of the Rhode Island governor's office on highway safety in order to promote educational and informational programs encouraging helmet use.
Other motorcycle laws:
§ 31-10.1-1 License required. – No resident of this state, except those expressly exempted in this chapter, shall drive any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle upon a highway in this state, unless the person shall first obtain a special license as an operator under the provisions of this chapter; provided, however, motorized bicycles and motor scooters with a motor rated not more than four and nine-tenths (4.9) horsepower and not greater than fifty (50) cubic centimeters, which is capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour, shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. No person shall be licensed pursuant to this chapter unless he or she shall be at least sixteen (16) years of age or unless the person previously has been issued a full operator's license and a motorcycle learner's permit or is already licensed under a prior act of this state. Any person under the age of eighteen (18) duly licensed under the prior act shall be eligible to have his or her license renewed in the same manner as persons over the age of eighteen (18). All licenses issued pursuant to this chapter shall reflect any requirement of the operator to wear a helmet pursuant to § 31-10.1-4..
§ 31-10.1-1.1 Motorcycle driver education program. – (a) The board of governors for higher education and the office of higher education shall provide a minimum of six (6) and up to a maximum of twenty (20) hours of classroom instruction and/or on-the-road driver training, as determined by the department, for applicants or prospective applicants for a first motorcycle operator's license under this chapter. Instruction shall be given by a person eligible for a teacher's certificate issued under the authority of the state board of regents. No person teaching classroom or on-the-road instruction under this section shall own, be employed by, or be associated with a commercial driving school.
(b) Motorcycle driver education programs shall be available to any eligible resident applicant holding a valid Rhode Island motor vehicle operator's license.
(c) The board of governors for higher education shall establish any fees that are deemed necessary to support this program.
(d) The board of governors for higher education and the office of higher education are authorized to establish regulations to further implement this section.
§ 31-10.1-2 Learner's permit. – (a) Upon applying for a first license to drive a motorcycle and after successfully completing a motorcycle driver education program pursuant to § 31-10.1-1.1 and after satisfying the requirements of § 31-10.1-3, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles may issue a motorcycle learner's permit to take instruction in the operation of a motorcycle which entitles the holder to operate or drive a motorcycle on the public highway, other than limited access highway, as a learner, under the general supervision, and whether or not under the immediate control, of a licensed motorcycle operator, at least eighteen (18) years of age. A person who has been issued a learner's permit may not carry passengers other than the supervising driver on the motorcycle until the person has been licensed to operate a motorcycle.
(b) The following persons are eligible for a motorcycle learner's permit:
(1) A person who is at least sixteen (16) years old but less than eighteen (18) years old and has a limited provisional license or a full operator's license issued by the division of motor vehicles.
(2) A person who is at least eighteen (18) years old and has a license issued by the division of motor vehicles.
(c) The holder of a motorcycle learner's permit who has a limited provisional license may drive the motorcycle only at times when the license holder could drive a motor vehicle without supervision pursuant to § 31-10-14.
(d) A motorcycle learner's permit expires eighteen (18) months after it is issued.
§ 31-10.1-3 Examination. – (a) All applicants for a motorcycle, motor scooter, or motor-driven cycle license, except those exempted in this chapter, shall pass a written, vision, road sign, and road test as prescribed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles in a vehicle supplied by the applicant.
(b) An applicant who within six (6) months of having been certified by the department of elementary and secondary education as having passed a written examination, road sign, and road test administered by that department, shall, upon completion of an eyesight test by the division of motor vehicles, be considered in compliance with this section.
§ 31-10.1-4 Required equipment. – Operators of motorcycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven cycles shall use eye protection of a type approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles when operating their vehicles on streets and highways. Every motorcycle, motor scooter, and motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with a rear view mirror. Any operator under the age of twenty-one (21) shall wear a helmet of a type approved by the administrator of motor vehicles. In addition, all new operators, regardless of age, shall be required, for a period of one year from the date of issuance of the first license pursuant to § 31-10.1-1, to wear a helmet of a type approved by said administrator. Any person deemed in violation of this provision shall be fined sixty dollars ($60.00) which shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 41.1 of this title. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized to set forth rules and regulations governing the use of other equipment on those vehicles. All fines collected under this section shall be deposited in a general restricted receipt account for the use of the Rhode Island governor's office on highway safety in order to promote educational and informational programs encouraging helmet use.
§ 31-10.1-5 Handlebars. – No person shall operate on a highway or in any parking area for ten (10) or more motor vehicles, any motorcycle, motor scooter, or motor driven cycle equipped with handlebars that are more than fifteen inches (15") in height above the uppermost portion of the seat when depressed by the weight of the operator. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
§ 31-10.1-6 Passengers. – Any passenger on a motorcycle, motor scooter, or motor-driven cycle must be provided with a separate rear seat, a separate foot-rest, and an appropriate handlebar or grip for his or her use, and must wear a properly fitting helmet of a type approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. No person shall operate a motorcycle, motor scooter, or motor-driven cycle unless any passenger on it wears a helmet and is able to rest his or her feet upon a foot-rest. Any passenger on a motorcycle, motor scooter, or motor-driven cycle under twelve (12) years of age must have a properly secured back-rest or equivalent, shall have his or her feet placed upon the foot-rest, and shall be seated behind the operator unless a side car is provided. When, however, a side car is provided this age requirement shall not apply to any passenger(s) in the sidecar. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
§ 31-10.1-7 Inspection. – Every motorcycle, motor scooter, or motor driven cycle shall be inspected in accordance with the law providing for inspection of motor vehicles and shall display a certificate of inspection as provided in chapter 38 of this title. Inspection standards for the motor vehicles shall be established by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. Inspection stations shall be specially licensed to inspect motorcycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven cycles. Certificates of inspection for these vehicles shall be clearly distinguishable from those issued to other motor vehicles. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
§ 31-10.1-8 Anatomical gifts by operators. – (a) The division of motor vehicles, in conjunction with the federally designated organ and tissue procurement agency, shall develop and implement a program encouraging and allowing for persons to make anatomical gifts, during the process of issuing and renewing licenses provided for in § 31-10.1-1. The division of motor vehicles shall give to all persons seeking the licenses, a document containing a summary description and explanation of the Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6 of title 23. Any person wishing to donate tissue or organs under the provisions of chapter 18.6 of title 23 shall be included in the Rhode Island Donor Registry as defined by § 31-10-26.1(g) and issued a driver's license or nonoperator's identification card bearing a notation or symbol indicating the person's consent to donate under the chapter and defining the term "qualified donee" as outlined in chapter 18.6 of title 23. The division of motor vehicles, in conjunction with the federally designated organ and tissue procurement agency, may on behalf of the state, accept and deposit with the general treasurer any grant, gift or contribution made to assist in meeting the cost of carrying out the purposes of this section, and may expend the funds for these purposes.
(b) Application for monies to support these purposes will be made to the general treasurer by the division of motor vehicles, and/or the federally designated organ and tissue procurement agency.
(c) The division of motor vehicles may make and sign any agreements and may do and perform any and all acts necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.
SECTION 1. Section 31-41.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-41.1 entitled "Adjudication of Traffic Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:
31-41.1-4. Schedule of violations. -- (a) The penalties for violations of the enumerated sections, listed in numerical order, correspond to the fines described. However, those offenses for which punishments which may vary according to the severity of the offense, or punishment which require the violator to perform a service, shall be heard and decided by the traffic tribunal or municipal court. The following violations may be handled administratively through the method prescribed in this chapter. This list is not exclusive and jurisdiction may be conferred on the traffic tribunal with regard to other violations.
31-10.1-4 No motorcycle helmet (operator) 60.00
31-10.1-5 Motorcycle handlebar violation 75.00
31-10.1-6 No motorcycle helmet (passenger) 75.00
31-10.1-7 Inspection of motorcycle required 75.00
