![]() Unfortunately, the interpretation of this addition to California’s turn signal law has not always been consistent throughout the years. However, if you’re preparing to change lanes and there are no other cars around or if you’re making a right turn and the only other traffic in the area is in the oncoming lane, you may not be required to use your turn signal. Failure to do so could result in criminal fines (in addition to life-threatening injuries and financial liability if you cause a collision). So, for instance, if you’re preparing to make a left turn across a busy intersection that’s actively involved with traffic flow, then yes, using your turn signal is mandatory. Indeed, the law also includes a clause that states turn signals only have to be used if another motorist will be “affected” by the turn. However, the distance from the turn is not the whole story. ![]() In addition, California police officers can use failure to signal a turn properly as a primary offense for which they can pull drivers over and look for other potential offenses. If you are riding a highway speeds, it is recommended in the California DMV Motorcycle Handbook that you initiate your turn signal a full five seconds before you reach your turning point.įailure to signal in that time could result in tickets, fines, or even criminal charges in some cases. That’s about 3 seconds prior to your intended turning spot when you are going 25 miles an hour - or a quarter of a city block. The California DMV rules and regulations require that motorcyclists signal at least 100 feet from the point at which you intend to turn or change lanes. It’s not enough that your modern motorcycle must have working turn signals in California. California Laws About Using Your Turn Signals Turn Signal Requirements for Motorcycles in Californiaīecause they are considered by California law as motor vehicles, motorcycles built and first registered on or after January 1 st of 1973 are required to have proper working turn signals on both the front and rear.īikes manufactured and registered prior to January 1 st, 1973 are exempt from this statute and are not required to have turn signals. You may run into a few exceptions to that rule-mostly custom bikes-but commercial manufacturers were compelled (through financial pressure if not legal requirements) to ensure their machines were compliant with these regulations. ”Front and rear turn signal lamps on motorcycles shall be at least 23 cm (9 in.) apart, except that front turn signals on motorcycles manufactured after January 1, 1973, shall be at least 40 cm (16 in.) apart.”Īll modern motorcycles built or sold in America after 1973 should have California-compliant turn signals installed on them.“Turn signal systems on motor vehicles shall consist of at least two single-faced or double-faced turn signal lamps on or near the front and at least two single-faced turn signal lamps on the rear.” That requirement extends to all motor vehicles operating on California roadways including motor-driven cycles.This part of the California Vehicle Code that addresses motorcycle turn signal law explicitly states that: Turn signals on motorcycles in California are covered under Title 13 (Motor Vehicles) of the state code (specifically Division 2: Department of California Highway Patrol, Chapter 2: Lighting Equipment, Article 7: Mounting Requirements, § 699: Turn Signal Lamps). The California Vehicle Code and Motorcycle Turn Signals Let’s take a deeper look at the section of the California Vehicle Code’s motorcycle laws and see exactly what it says about turn signals on motorcycles in California. So, determining if your personal bike actually needs turns signals or not can be a bit difficult. The law, as it’s written, takes these older bikes into account and makes exceptions for certain machines. As you can imagine, there were quite a few motorcycle accidents in California throughout the years caused by a rider’s failure to signal or a driver’s failure to see the signal and respond.īut if you ride an older machine, you don’t necessarily have to equip it with modern turn signals. Indeed, motorcycles were manufactured for generations without turn signals (as were automobiles) and motorists relied on hand signals to determine when, where, and if a rider was turning. However, there are a few notable exceptions to that general motorcycle turn signal law. If you need further assistance regarding this particular topic, you can contact your local Bar Association for a referral to an attorney who may be able to address your inquiry in more detail.Īre turn signals required for motorcycles in California? The short answer to that question is yes. Please be advised that the following topic is for informational purposes only and not a legal matter currently handled by our firm. Motorcycle Turn Signal Laws in California
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |