A Guide to Utah’s Motorcycle Laws

Amongst motorcycle enthusiasts Utah is famous for its scenic rides. From the red rock country in the south to the amazing canyons and mountains of the north, there is no shortage of idyllic scenery to put together an unforgettable adventure by bike.

The laws governing operating a motorcycle vary considerably from state to state. Utah has its own unique mix of regulations when in the saddle, including some recent changes you need to be aware of. Here is The Advocates guide to Utah’s motorcycles laws.

What Exactly is Lane Filtering and When is it Legal

The practice of lane filtering is when a motorcycle approaches two lanes of traffic headed the same direction at a stop light and passes between the cars to advance to the intersection. Lane filtering is intended to reduce the number of rear-end accidents motorcyclists suffer at stop lights. For a motorcycle to legally lane filter certain conditions must be present.

The posted speed limit must be 45 mph or less
The vehicles the motorcyclist passes must be fully stopped
When lane filtering the motorcyclists cannot exceed 15 mph
The roadway must have two or more lanes headed in the same direction
Lane filtering is only allowed when the movement can be performed safely

The Utah Department of Public Safety cautions that only experienced riders should take advantage of lane filtering.

Wearing a Helmet and Using Eye Protection

In Utah, a helmet is only required for riders or passengers who are under 21 years of age. Only sixteen states actually require a helmet for all motorcycle riders. Requirements aside, wearing a helmet drastically reduces the risk of a head injury by 69% should an accident occur. Similarly, while there is no requirement for eye protection while riding a motorcycle in Utah, most experienced riders find a face shield or goggles are essential for both safety and enjoyment of the ride. As a way of encouraging helmet use Utah does offer an $8 discount to any moving traffic violation if you are 21-years or older and wearing a helmet at the time of the citation.

Motorcycle Endorsements

Utah requires that you test for and receive a motorcycle endorsement prior to riding a motorcycle on public roads. If you hold a valid Utah driver’s license and are at least 16 years old, you can apply for a temporary learner permit by paying a fee and passing a written test. When ready you can take a riding test and upon passing receive your motorcycle endorsement. Anyone 19 years or younger must hold the leaner permit for a minimum of two months before trying to pass rider test for full endorsement. For the first two months of your temporary permit the following restrictions are in effect.

No passengers
No riding between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am
No riding on highways with a posted speed higher than 60 mph

An important consideration is what size of motorcycle you take your rider test on. The size of the motor on the motorcycle you use for the test will determine what size motorcycle your endorsement allows.

90 cc or less and you are restricted to 90 cc or less
91-249 cc and you are restricted to 249 or less
250-649 cc or less and you are restricted to 649 or less
650 cc or higher and you are authorized for any size motorcycle

The Utah Rider Education offers a 15-hour course that upon completion allows you to waive taking the rider test as well as bypass the two-month requirement for the learner permit.

Utah Insurance Laws for Motorcycles

All vehicles that are driven on public roads in Utah must carry insurance that meets the minimum requirements of coverage. This requirement includes motorcycles. The minimum requirement for the policy as far as coverage specifics are as follows:

$25,000 per person for bodily injury liability
$65,000 for two or more persons for bodily injury liability
$15,000 for property damage liability

These are the minimums but of course based on your individual situation you may want or need more coverage. Consider the benefits of collision or comprehensive coverage, it may be a little more of an investment but offers better protection if you are involved in an accident.

Miscellaneous Utah Motorcycle Laws

Here are various motorcycles laws and restrictions to bear in mind when traveling by motorbike in Utah.

Motorcyclists may use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes
A motorcycle must signal for a turn for at least two seconds before turning
Only motorcycles designed to carry a passenger may do so
Motorcycles are entitled to full use of the lane
Motorcycles are not permitted to ride more than two side-by-side in one lane
Motorcyclists cannot carry anything that would stop them from keeping both hands on the handlebars at all times
A motorcyclist is required to change lanes to pass a vehicle ahead of them
The handlebars on a motorcycle are limited to shoulder height
Handgrips can be a maximum of 15” above the seat
Use of a modulating head light is legal

Now that you are up to speed with the Utah laws regarding motorcycles, it’s time to choose a memorable route that takes advantage of all that the Beehive State has to offer. Here is brief list of some of the top rides in Utah.

Mt. Nebo Scenic Byway – this short loop is packed with excitement. Starting near Payson it features smooth gentle curves and amazing views as it makes it way around Mt. Nebo, the highest peak in the Wasatch Mountains.

Zion National Park – Utah’s most famous national park is also a spectacular adventure via motorcycle. The trip on Highway 9 features other worldly terrain on a well-maintained road of medium difficulty.

Ogden Scenic Byway – taking Highway 39 east out of Ogden takes you up through some amazing alpine terrain and is real change of pace from the desert rides in southern part of the state.

The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument – this route is considered one of the best rides in America, and it’s easy to see why. Utah SR 12 and SR 24 wind through breathtaking vistas of pastel hues and dramatic rock formations, the enjoyable twisty turns are just icing on the cake.

You Deserve an Advocate!

Motorcycle injury claims can be hard to manage by yourself. Insurance companies can be dismissive of motorcycle accident claims or try and lowball you on a settlement offer. The Advocates have decades of experience specializing in representing motorcycle accident victims. The expert attorneys at The Advocates take the guesswork out of filing a claim and fight to make sure you get everything you are due. Take advantage of our free case evaluation by calling us today at 1-801-797-2446, or you can fill out the form below, or chat with us here. Don’t you deserve an Advocate?