Motorcycle licensing in Charlotte, NC, is relatively straightforward. The state does not require applicants over 18 to obtain a learner’s permit or pass a course. However, the state strongly recommends that all riders take Charlotte motorcycle safety courses, regardless of age or experience.
A careless driver who hits your motorcycle may try to shift the blame for the motorcycle crash to you. A Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyer from Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers can highlight your actions to prove the other driver’s liability for your crash injuries. Call (704) 980-9999 to schedule a free consultation about your case.
How Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Charlotte, NC
If you’ve been in a motorcycle crash, you need a strong legal team you can rely on. Our law office has successfully recovered over $35 million in injury compensation for clients in Charlotte, North Carolina. The attorneys at Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers have over 80 years of combined legal experience fighting for the rights of accident victims like you.
When you hire our Charlotte personal injury lawyers to handle your case, our team will support your claim by:
- Reviewing your accident and identifying who was at fault for your injuries
- Gathering evidence to prove the other driver’s liability
- Filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s automobile insurer and negotiating to settle it
- Taking the injury case to court if we cannot reach a fair agreement with the insurer
Motorcycle accidents can happen to any rider, regardless of experience or training. Contact us to schedule a free appointment with a Charlotte motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your crash and your legal options for seeking injury compensation.
Motorcycle Safety Courses and North Carolina Licensing Requirements
North Carolina requires all motorcycle operators to obtain either a motorcycle learner permit or a motorcycle endorsement for their driver’s license.
Motorcycle Learner Permit Requirements
Any licensed driver may obtain an optional learner’s permit by passing written exams on motorcycle knowledge and road sign identification, as well as a vision test, at a North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. This permit allows the rider to practice while satisfying other licensing requirements. A motorcycle safety course is generally not required.
However, there is an exception for riders between 16 and 18 years old. In addition to the permit requirements for adult riders, young riders must also pass an approved motorcycle safety course.
Motorcycle Endorsement Requirements
Most adult riders can apply for a motorcycle endorsement without a course. To obtain an endorsement, riders over 18 must have a driver’s license and pass the DMV’s written and road tests.
Although a motorcycle safety course is not required for adult riders, the DMV may waive the skills test requirement if you have a course completion card from an approved course that is less than a year old.
Finding a Charlotte Motorcycle Safety Class
There are a few potential options to waive the skills test requirement for a motorcycle endorsement through third-party training and safety classes.
Motorcycle safety classes accepted by the DMV must be conducted by the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program (NCMSEP) or approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). You can find a course in Charlotte or anywhere else in North Carolina using the NCMSEP’s course map. Most classes are conducted at motorcycle dealerships or colleges.
The DMV may also waive the skills test requirement if an applicant has proof of approved military motorcycle training.
You can contact your local DMV office to find out if you meet the requirements to waive the skills test.
What You Learn in a Charlotte Motorcycle Safety Course
The Basic Rider Course (BRC) is the name of the introductory safety class offered by the MSF. It includes an instructional component that may be conducted in a classroom or online. This five-hour course segment explains basic safety concepts and riding strategies.
The BRC also includes a 10-hour in-person skills portion held by a certified training provider. During the skills portion, the instructor teaches riders how to safely control their motorcycles. Specifically, the BRC covers accelerating, braking, and emergency maneuvering.
Students must pass written and road tests at the end of each portion of the course. Upon passing these exams, the student receives a course completion card that may be accepted at the DMV for up to one year after the class ends.
Legal and Safety Benefits of Charlotte Motorcycle Training
Completing a motorcycle safety class can help you reduce your risk of crashing. Trained riders can avoid certain dangerous situations, such as passing vehicles on the right or riding in a driver’s blind spots. They also know how to execute emergency maneuvers while maintaining control of their motorcycles.
However, many crashes happen even though riders do everything right. In these cases, the blame falls on drivers who drive carelessly or aggressively around motorcyclists. Drivers might miss spotting motorcycles at intersections and in adjacent lanes. They might underestimate the distance or speed of approaching motorcycles and attempt to beat them rather than yielding.
Generally, the liability for motorcycle crashes falls on the negligent party. Negligence means the driver failed to satisfy the standard of reasonable care under the circumstances. Drivers are typically liable for crashes caused by their risky driving behaviors, such as speeding or failing to yield the right of way.
In some situations, drivers may try to shift the blame onto riders. In these cases, motorcycle accident lawyers may present evidence that the rider acted properly according to their motorcycle safety training.
Contact the Charlotte Motorcycle Lawyers at Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Free Consultation Today
Charlotte motorcycle crashes often happen when careless or aggressive automobile drivers hit motorcyclists. By consulting with an attorney about your accident, you can learn about your right to financial compensation from the at-fault driver who injured you.
For more information about your legal options, call Chandler Volta Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with one of our Charlotte motorcycle accident lawyers.