Riding a motorcycle is a fun way to explore Arizona and get to know our beautiful state. If you’re planning to ride a motorcycle in Arizona, make sure you know the rules of the road before you ride.
Lane Filtering is Legal in Limited Conditions
In 2022, Arizona made it legal for motorcyclists to lane filter. This means they can ride between cars that are moving slowly or stopped to avoid getting hit from behind.
To lawfully practice lane filtering in Arizona, motorcyclists must follow these requirements:
- Speed Limit: The road’s speed limit must be 45 miles per hour or less.
- Motorcyclist Speed: The motorcyclist must be traveling at less than 15 miles per hour.
- Road Configuration: The street must have two or more lanes in the same direction of travel, and the motorcyclist must be passing between vehicles moving in the same direction.
- Legal Roadway: Lane filtering must occur on a legal road, with no riding on medians or shoulders.
This law helps keep motorcyclists safe, especially at red lights. But, they must still be careful and follow all traffic rules and regulations. For more information, visit Team Arizona.
You Must Have Liability Insurance
You must have minimum liability insurance to operate your motorcycle in Arizona. If an officer finds that you do not carry this insurance, you risk having your license revoked and paying fines.
The minimum liability insurance coverages are as follows:
- $15,000 for bodily injury per person
- $30,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $10,000 for property damage per accident
We recommend talking to your insurance agent about other coverages that can protect you as a motorcyclist. Getting into an accident without the proper insurance coverage can leave you without the necessary funds to cover medical bills and property damage. Find out if you are on the proper insurance as a rider.
Additional Arizona motorcycle laws and regulations that Every Rider Should Know:
- Riders 18 years of age and older are not required to wear a helmet.
- Motorcycles must have sufficient seating for the driver and their passenger.
- All motorcycles must have a rearview mirror.
- Passengers must be able to access footrests and handrails.
- There are no age restrictions on passengers.
- Motorcycles must have a muffler, and cannot have bypasses, cutouts, or other noisy devices.
- Motorcycles should use headlights in the daytime but are allowed to use a modulating headlight with different settings.
- Handlebars on a motorcycle cannot be above the driver’s shoulders.
- No more than two motorcycles can ride side by side in Arizona.
- Motorcyclists must either have a windscreen or wear protective goggles, face shields, or glasses.
- There is no rule against wearing headphones while riding a motorcycle in Arizona.
Getting Your Class M License
If you’re interested in getting your Class M license to operate a motorcycle in Arizona, you must be at least 16 years old. If you’re under age 18, you must have held a motorcycle instruction permit for six months or more, and the permit must still be valid.
Riding Monument Valley
If you’re interested in riding Monument Valley by motorcycle, you should be aware that Monument Valley is in the Navajo Nation Reservation and different regulations may apply. Specifically, the National Park Reservations website states that riding Monument Valley is prohibited because of the deep dunes located there. However, you can still ride local roads near Monument Valley.
All motorcycle operators should be aware of how Arizona regulates their vehicles. These rules are in place to make the roads safe for motorcyclists, their passengers, and all those with whom they share the road. Have a fun – and safe – time getting to know all the wonders Arizona has to offer!
Knowing these Arizona motorcycle laws can keep you safer on the road. If you ever become an accident victim, contact our Law Tigers team at 1-888-863-7216 for a no cost consultation. And here’s another important tip. Get your FREE Law Tigers Rider Benefit Kit.
