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From Nye County Sheriff's Office Crime Stopper Tips
Start seeing motorcycles. There are many more cars and trucks on the road than motorcycles. It’s easy to miss or ignore a motorcycle, especially at night. Watch for motorcycles specifically, especially when making left turns. Objects inside or outside of a car easily hide motorcycles. What all drivers should know. Assume a motorcycle is closer than it looks. Motorcycles look further away than they are and seem to move faster than they really do. Allow more following distance. Keep three (3) to four (4) seconds behind a motorcycle. Motorcyclists often slow down without using the brakes, thus not activating the brake light. Make sure the turn signal is for real. Motorcycle turn signals are usually not self-canceling. Use extra caution with passengers. A passenger complicates a motorcyclist’s task. Balance is more difficult. Stopping distance is increased. Don’t crown them. Maneuverability is one of a motorcycle’s better characteristics, but only at slower speeds with good road conditions. They can’t always dodge out of the way. Motorcycle Traffic Laws. Motorcyclists have same rights and the same responsibilities as other drivers in Nevada. There are also some special conditions: Motorcyclists must wear helmets in Nevada. Motorcyclists have a right to use a complete traffic lane. Two (2) motorcyclists may share a lane if the operators agree to do so. Motorcyclists may not pass or ride next to another vehicle in the same travel lane. Motorcyclists may not be driven between vehicles in the adjacent lanes even if the vehicles are stopped. Police officers are an exception. (NRS chapter 486) Gonna ride? Take a course – get the license Riding a motorcycle is an enjoyable and challenging pastime. The best thing you can do for your safety and you family is to take a rider education course and get a Class M driver license. “The more you know, the better it gets.” Rider education courses are fun and you come away with the knowledge of what you and your machine can do. Call the Nevada Rider Motorcycle Safety Program at 1-800-889-8779 or find the next course near you and register online at www.nevadarider.com. Class M driver license requirements. If you already have a Nevada driver license, adding Class M is simple: Take a Nevada Rider Course. A motorcycle is provided and no instruction permit is necessary. Present the Certification of Completion at the DMV to receive a new license. No additional tests are required. You also have the option of taking the DMV knowledge test, obtaining an instructional permit and then taking the skills test. Nevada transfers most motorcycle license or endorsements from other states. Mopeds and Off-Road vehicles. A motorcycle or moped must have the proper safety equipment (lights, horn, front, and rear brakes, etc.) to be driven on any public street. Mopeds 50cc and under do not have to be registered in Nevada and you do not need a Class M driver license. However, you MUST have a normal Class C or higher license to operate any motorized vehicle on any public street. Other vehicles with small engine, such as “gopeds”, are considered off-road motor vehicles. It is illegal to operate them on public streets. Nevada has no other restrictions on off-road vehicles. No license or registration is necessary and there are no obligations. This is a public safety announcement from the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety and the Nye County Sheriff’s Office. © Copyright 2006 by Nye County Sheriff's Office |
