Motorcycle, Motorized Bicycle and Electric-Assisted Bicycle Manual

Motorcycle, Motorized Bicycle and electric-assisted Bicycle Manual Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division dvs.dps.mn.gov Minnesota Motorcycle, Motorized Bicycle and Electric-Assisted Bicycle Manual The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Division prepared this manual. Visit the Department of Public Safety Website at dvs.dps.mn.gov to access online versions of our driver’s manuals. PS30001-13 (3/12) About this Manual… This manual is about operating For more information on Minnesota motorcycles, motorized bicycles and driving laws and rules for all drivers, electric-assisted bicycles on Minnesota refer to the Minnesota Driver’s streets and highways. Manual. The first section concerns Minnesota This manual is printed by permission laws and requirements. For complete of the Minnesota Department of standards, consult Minnesota state Public Safety. statutes and rules. This document is This manual is prepared by the not a proper legal authority to cite Division of Driver and Vehicle Services in court. with permission of the Minnesota The second section (Operation Department of Public Safety. Manual) contains information on safe This information can be made motorcycling. The Operation Manual, available in alternative format to provided by the Motorcycle Safety individuals with disabilities. For Foundation, is not about Minnesota assistance, call 651-297-3298 or law — it is about riding smart and TTY 651-282-6555. staying safe. NEW RIDING INFORMATION AND LAW FOR 2012 SKILLS TEST CHECKLIST “Late Merge — Zipper Merge” • For multi-lane roundabouts, as Do you have all the infor If under 18 years of age: The Zipper Merge is a new driving with any intersection, get into the mation you need for your o I have my certificate of course comple- strategy that requires a change in the appropriate lane as you approach skills test? Here is a checklist tion from an approved rider safety the roundabout. course. mindset of motorists who traditionally to help you prepare: have been taught to merge early when • Yield to pedestrians and bicyclists Note: Riders under 18 will be required recognizing that a lane will end. The crossing the roadway. o I have made a skills test appointment. to have a parent or court-appointed results of early merging are longer • Watch for signs or pavement o I have my valid driver’s license. guardian sign the application to add backups, an increase in crashes and markings that require or prohibit o I have my valid motorcycle instruction the motorcycle endorsement. road rage incidents. certain movements. permit. The new driving procedure to follow • When entering a roundabout yield o I have my helmet and eye protection. is when you see the “lane closed ahead” to vehicles already in the round- o I will provide a motorcycle on which sign and traffic is backing up, stay in your about. Do not cross into the round- to take the test. current lane up to the point of merge. about until all traffic from the left Then take turns with other drivers has cleared. • Basic safety equipment must be in working condition (see equipment to safely and smoothly ease into the • After entering the roundabout, drive requirements on page IV). remaining lane. When traffic is heavy in a counter clockwise direction until and slow, it is much safer for motorists you reach your exit. • Vehicle registration must be current (license plates and registration to remain in their current traffic lane • Do not stop, pass or change lanes stickers) or the motorcycle must until the point where traffic can orderly within a roundabout. take turns merging. display a 21-day permit. • If an emergency vehicle approaches, o I have valid proof of insurance (such The Zipper Merge benefits drivers by: exit the roundabout. • Reducing the difference in speeds as the original insurance identification between two lanes. Changing lanes It is especially important for motor card or policy) for the motorcycle I am when traffic is traveling at approxi- cyclists to use extra caution when taking the test on. Photocopies or mately the same speed is easier approaching painted pave ment copies from the Internet are not and safer. markings, especially in a roundabout. acceptable. Pavement markings can be hazar • Reducing the overall length of traffic o I have brought money (check, money dous to motorcyclists due to a loss backup by as much as 40%. order, or cash) to pay the driver’s of traction, even when the pavement license fee and the retesting fee, • Reducing congestion on freeway is dry. interchanges, especially in the if applicable. There is a $20 test fee metropolitan area. Donation for Anatomical Gift for a third or subsequent test (after failing first two). • Creating a sense of fairness and Program (M.S. 168.12 and equity that all lanes are moving M.S. 171.06) • Credit and debit cards are not accepted. at the same rate. Recent legislation established a $2 • Reducing incidents of road rage. donation option related to anatomical Roundabouts gifts to be collected as part of vehicle registration and driver license appli- Roundabouts are designed to increase cations.Funds received are to be pro- traffic flow and provide a safer inter- vided as grants to organ procurement section than a normal four-way stop. organizations certified by the U.S. When approaching a roundabout: Department of Health and to non-profit • Slow down as you approach the organizations that advocate for organ, roundabout. tissue and eye donation. CONTENTS Preface I Preface Ride Within Your Abilities This manual is intended to help riders The hazards of riding a two-wheeled Rider Training..................I Basic Vehicle Control . 8 prepare for the knowledge and skills vehicle constantly test the skills of even Keeping Your Distance ��12 tests required to obtain a permit and the most experienced rider. For this Motorcycles SEE . 17 endorsement. It includes rider informa- reason, Minnesota tests everyone License Endorsement and Permit . II Intersections . 18 tion that will help beginner and experi- seeking permits and license endorse- Permit Process . II Increasing Conspicuity ��21 enced riders alike. This manual includes ments to legally operate a motorcycle Skills Test .................... II Crash Avoidance . 24 Minnesota state requirements as well or moped in the state. New Resident Information . .III Handling Dangerous Surfaces . 27 as a guide to safe riding practices. Endorsement Renewal ..........III Mechanical Problems ��30 Rider Training License Fees..................III Skill and care are safety necessities Animals ��31 The Minnesota Department of Public Motorcycle Registration/Insurance . III for riders. Two-wheeled vehicles have Flying Objects . 31 Safety recommends rider training Equipment Requirements ........IV the disadvantage of being less stable Getting Off the Road ��31 courses for both beginner and experi- Operating Rules ...............IV and more vulnerable than other vehicles Carrying Passengers enced riders. Motorcyclists are encour- Alcohol and Motorcycles . V on the road. In a crash, riders often and Cargo ��32 aged to update their riding skills as Red Light, Green Light ..........V sustain severe injuries because they lack Group Riding ��35 the protection provided to occupants often as possible. Studies have shown Motorized Bicycles and Moped Being in Shape to Ride of larger vehicles. that riders who have taken training Motorized Bicycle..............VI courses are better equipped to cope Why This Information Over the last ten years, crash studies Operator’s Permit..............VI with riding emergencies and less likely is Important ��39 show motorcyclists are seven times more Instruction Permit Process . .VI to be involved in a crash. Alcohol and Other Drugs likely to be injured and 34 times more Skills Test ....................VI in Motorcycle Operation . 39 likely to die in a crash than passengers In 1982, the state of Minnesota Duplicate Permits............. VII Alcohol in the Body . 39 in any other type of vehicle. established a Motorcycle Safety Fund Vehicle Registration . VII Alcohol and the Law . 41 to upgrade and improve training Insurance Requirements ........ VII Approximately 80 percent of motor- Minimize the Risks ��41 courses, test procedures, public Equipment Requirements ....... VII cycle crashes result in death or injury, Step in to Protect Friends ��42 awareness and motorcycle safety. The Operating Rules .............. VII compared with less than 30 percent of Fatigue . 42 Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Program auto crashes. These numbers emphasize administers these funds and offers ElectricAssisted Bicycles the importance of knowing the rules Earning Your License . 43 state-approved rider training courses. Definition...................VIII of motorcycle and moped operation. Permit and Registration . VIII ThreeWheel Supplement While cornering, steering and accelera- For more information on motorcycle Insurance...................VIII Supplementary Information tion characteristics of motorcycles rules, safety or training classes, contact Equipment Requirements .......VIII for Three-Wheel Motorcycles . 45 can exceed other vehicles, their short the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center Operating Rules ..............VIII Know Your Vehicle. 45 comings with regard to

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