How Do I Get an Ohio Motorcycle License?

To ride a motorcycle in Ohio, you have to get a motorcycle license from the state or a special endorsement on your driver’s license. Having the proper training and license is critical to protect yourself and ride safely, so it is essential to understand how to get an Ohio motorcycle license.

Every rider should recognize that a motorcycle does not have the same protections as other vehicles. Riding with caution is always important, but you cannot control what other drivers may do to put you in danger. When you are on your bike, you are much more vulnerable to the negligence of other drivers. If someone hits you and causes you injury, you need the professional help of an experienced Ohio motorcycle accident attorney. Contact the experienced team at Charles E. Boyk Law Offices right away for assistance after an accident and schedule a free consultation.

Ohio Motorcycle License Requirements

Riding on the state’s roadways from behind the handlebars of a motorcycle is a totally different experience than from behind the wheel of a car. However, to enjoy taking a motorcycle on the open road, you will need to take the necessary steps to ride lawfully. First and foremost, this means learning to operate your bike safely and obtaining the required licensure for operating a motorcycle in Ohio.

To get a license, you must be at least 15 and a half years old and pass both a vision and a written test at any of the driver exam stations across the state. Remember to bring proof of your full legal name, Social Security number, and birth date.

If you fail to pass the written test on your first attempt, you must wait at least 24 hours before retaking it. There is, however, no limit to the number of chances you will have to retake the test.

The most important point to remember is that riding on a motorcycle puts you at far greater risk of being injured in a traffic accident. Your safety should be your primary concern, so you must give your full attention when studying for your written test.

Getting Your TIPIC

You must first obtain a temporary instruction permit identification card (TIPIC), also known as a learning permit or temp. You have 60 days from the date that you pass your written and vision tests to purchase your TIPIC. Adult motorcyclists in Ohio are required to secure their TIPIC before they can legally operate a motorcycle or motor scooter. Once your TIPIC is issued, you will need to be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old to practice operating a motorcycle.

Your TIPIC is valid for one year. You must earn your motorcycle license or endorsement within this timeframe; if not, you will need to restart the process. To operate a motorcycle with your TIPIC, you must carry the card with you and carefully adhere to each of the following requirements:

• You can ride only during daylight hours
• You cannot carry a passenger with you
• You must wear a helmet and protective eyewear at all times
• You must not ride on interstates or on roads congested with traffic

Your TIPIC allows you the opportunity to get comfortable riding a motorcycle, explore how much bike you can handle, and help ensure that you know how to stay safe on the roads.

The Motorcycle Skills Test

As long as you are at least 18 years old, you can schedule your motorcycle skills test once you have acquired the confidence that comes from adequate experience. You will take the test on an off-street course. To take the test, you will need your valid TIPIC, necessary safety gear—including a helmet and protective eyewear—and a street-legal motorcycle in good working order.

If you successfully completed Ohio’s Basic Riding Skills course, the motorcycle skills test requirement will be waived for 60 days from the date your completion card is issued. It is important to note that if you are under the age of 18, you will face additional requirements before you can be issued a motorcycle license or endorsement.

Once You Have Passed the Skills Test

After passing the motorcycle skills test, you can purchase your motorcycle license or endorsement from a deputy registrar. However, it is important to note that you must do so before your TIPIC expires.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

There are also minimum insurance requirements that you must meet before you can legally ride in Ohio. These include each of the following:

• Property damage liability coverage of $25,000
• Bodily injury liability coverage of $25,000 per person
• Bodily injury liability coverage of $50,000 per accident

These insurance minimums are the same as those required to drive a car in the state.

Risks When You Are on Your Motorcycle

There is nothing like experiencing the open road on your bike, but you should know that, when you ride, you are fully exposed to the negligence of other drivers. Although motorists owe you a duty of care, too many of them fail to take the precautions necessary to help protect the safety of motorcyclists like you. The risk factors you face when you are on your bike include:

• You are more difficult for other road users to see
• It is more difficult for other drivers to gauge your distance from them and your speed, which leaves you especially vulnerable in intersections
• You are more likely to get lost in motorists’ blind spots
• You lack the protective shield that a car affords, which means there is nothing between you and the full impact of an accident
• You require considerably less stopping distance and are more susceptible to rear-end accidents, especially when a rear driver chooses to tailgate
• Inferior road conditions and the effects of bad weather pose a greater risk to you

While you can keep up with traffic in terms of speed and are more agile than most of the other motorists on the road, you lack many of the protections they have, which makes riding with utmost caution the best practice.

Contact an Experienced Ohio Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today for Help

For any rider in the state, you must follow the process to obtain an Ohio motorcycle license to optimize your safety. If another driver causes your motorcycle accident and you have serious injuries, you should seek legal help to protect your future and financial stability. The experienced Ohio motorcycle accident attorneys at Charles E. Boyk Law Offices have a reputation and history of handling challenging claims. We seek outcomes that support our client’s rights and compensation, and we are here for you, too.

To learn more, please do not hesitate to contact us now.