Florida Motorcycle Handbook 2010

Introduction

• Intro
• Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP)
• Laws
• Helmet and Eye Protection Requirements

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Emergency Contact Information

In an emergency situation could law enforcement personnel contact someone for you?

They could if you had entered your information onto the emergency contact information system. The system allows Floridians to voluntarily provide emergency contact information online, giving law enforcement immediate access to this information and making it easier for them to speak with someone quicker in case of emergency.

If you have a Florida driver license or identification card, you can go online at http://www.flhsmv.gov and enter your emergency contact information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was this system developed?
Christine Olson's daughter Tiffany was fatally injured in a traffic accident in 2005. There was no emergency contact system in place and several hours passed before Ms. Olson was notified of her daughter's passing. Wanting to help others avoid this experience, Ms. Olson approached her Legislator, Representative Bill Galvano, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. The result is an emergency contact information system.

Who will have access to my information?
Only law enforcement personnel will have access to your emergency contact information.

Where is this information stored?
The information is stored in the Driver and Vehicle Information Database (D.A.V.I.D) system which is a secured database used by most law enforcement agencies in the state of Florida.

Will my contact information be used for any other purpose?
No, this information will only be used by law enforcement officers to notify designated contacts if a motorist is seriously injured or killed in a traffic crash.

Where do I enter my information?
You can go online and enter your information at http://www.flhsmv.gov or whenever conducting any business at a driver license office. There are also links to this site if you are conducting business with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles online such as renewing your driver license, changing the address on your license or renewing your vehicle license plate.

Florida's Move Over Law

• Protects law enforcement officers, emergency workers, and tow truck drivers stopped along roadways while performing their jobs;
• Requires motorists to move over when a patrol car, emergency vehicle, or tow truck/wrecker is stopped on the side of the road with lights flashing. If such movement cannot be safely accomplished, motorists shall slow down to a speed of 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

Motorists are required to:

• Approach the emergency vehicle with caution;
• Change lanes away from the emergency veicle IF traveling on a multi-lane roadway AND able to move over safely; or
• Slow down while maintaining a safe speed of 20 mph below posted speed limit being careful NOT to Impede or block the flow of traffic unless otherwise directed by law enforcement officer.

Violators of the Move Over Law will be issued a citation!

For more information, please visitwww.flhsmv.gov/fhp

Specific provisions of the Move Over Law can be reviewed under Section 316.126(1)(b), Florida Statutes. Available online at www.leg.state.fl.us

FLORIDA RIDER TRAINING PROGRAM

(FRTP)

All persons requesting a motorcycle endorsement are required to complete a basic motorcycle safety education course prior to being issued a motorcycle endorsement or "Motorcycle Only" License. A list of course sponsors can be found at the end of this handbook.

Rider course providers (Sponsors) offer the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) sponsored Basic RiderCourse (BRC) and Experienced Rider Course Suites (ERC). The BRC provides the basic entry-level skills for new riders to begin practicing and developing the mental and motor skills important for safe street operation. The BRC has approximately five-hours of classroom instruction and 10-hours of on-cycle instruction. Both sessions are facilitated by experienced motorcyclists trained as Rider Coaches by the FRTP to assist your learning. To enroll in the BRC, a person must possess at least a valid Learners License in order to have knowledge of Florida Traffic laws and road rules; however, the actual motorcycle endorsement may not be obtained with a regular operator (Class E) license until age 16 per s. 322.05(1) F.S. The person must also be able to have sufficient balance or capability to operate a bicycle.

Sponsors provide motorcycles less than 500cc for the BRC, usually 125cc to 250cc, helmets, and course handbooks for the BRC. Students must provide gloves, full hand coverage, shatterproof eye protection, unless the helmet has a face shield, long pants, long sleeve shirt or jacket, over the ankle shoes or boots and rain gear for light rain - non dangerous conditions. A call or email to the Sponsor of your choice can clarify many issues regarding equipment, fees, method of payment and scheduling. Many sponsors allow sign-up and payment via a website. Refer to the FRTP web site at http://www.motorcycles.flhsmv.gov and click on the "course locations" heading for sponsor locations by county.

S/TEP The Sidecar/Trike Evaluation Program is completed by persons riding three wheel motorcycles. The curriculum for the S/TEP course was developed by the Evergreen Safety Council. The S/TEP course provides the basic skills for those who are new to the operation of three wheel motorcycles and side car rigs. The course includes the knowledge and skills necessary to ride safely on the streets and highways. The student handbook and Insurance are provided for the course. Some schools also provide trikes rigs and helmets. Students must provide eye protection, gloves (full hand coverage), long pants, long sleeved shirt or jacket, and sturdy over-the-ankle footwear.

The S restriction is placed on the license of those who have passed the motorcycle S/TEP course. This S restriction is explained in the comment section at the end of the issuance process so that it is known that the person only has permission to operate a three wheeled motorcycle.

THE ERC SUITE COURSES are for those already endorsed for riding skill enhancement with course completion cards issued for insurance reduction or other purposes.

NOTE: All ERC Suite courses require the participant to furnish their own street legal motorcycle with valid tag and registration and proof of liability insurance coverage, or one borrowed with proof of permission. The participant must also furnish a helmet, shatterproof eye protection and similar protective riding gear as outlined for the BRC. See FRTP website above for sponsor locations or call the FRTP 850-488-3286 for an automated guided listing.

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