Motorcycle Insurance Requirements in Colorado

The State of Colorado requires a motorcycle owner to have a driver’s license and to obtain a motorcycle endorsement, in addition to having insurance. You can get the motorcycle endorsement by taking a test or a class. If you take the test, you must pass the written test and the drive test. In order to take the drive test, you must purchase a motorcycle instruction permit. As of 2012, the cost of the permit is $14. Once you pass the requirements, you can then purchase a new driver’s license with the motorcycle endorsement.

If you take the class — the Motorcycle Safety Foundation training, once you pass, you can purchase a new license with the motorcycle endorsement. The new license in either case is $23 as of 2012. If you are under 18 years of age, the State of Colorado requires those under 18 year of age to purchase and hold a motorcycle instruction permit for 12 months prior to getting a license with the endorsement.

Proof of Insurance

To register the motorcycle, you must provide proof of insurance. If you don’t have proof of insurance, the motorcycle registration could be delayed. You can provide several types of proof of insurance:

• Insurance card
• A copy of the motorcycle insurance policy
• A letter from the insurance company on the company’s letterhead
• A printout from the insurance company
• A facsimile of proof of insurance, whether the copy of the policy, a fax of the letter or printout
• Electronic proof. Electronic proof includes an image of the proof on a cell phone, lap top or other portable device

SR22

If your motorcycle insurance has been cancelled for any reason, you must provide a form SR22, which is available from your insurance company. This is a rider on your motorcycle insurance policy that shows the Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles that your insurance company guarantees that you will keep insurance for a specific time frame.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

The State of Colorado requires a motorcycle driver to carry compulsory liability insurance — $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $15,000 for property damage liability.

Things that May Affect Insurance Coverage

Before purchasing insurance, be sure to call several places. Each insurance company’s premium, down payment and monthly payments are different. Also, Colorado has certain laws regarding driving a motorcycle. If you don’t abide by these laws and are in an accident, your insurance policy may not cover you.

If you are under 18 years of age, you must wear a helmet. If you get caught without a helmet under 18, in addition to paying penalty, you must also pay a surcharge that is deposited in the state’s traumatic brain injury trust fund. Your insurance could also be cancelled if you have an accident and are not wearing a helmet.

State law requires that you have eye protection, whether or not your motorcycle has a windscreen. The law also states that you must have a passenger seat and passenger footrest if you are going to carry a passenger. Breaking any of these rules could cause your insurance company to drop you if you have been involved in an accident or if you get a ticket.

Administrative Insurance Suspension

If a police officer stops you and cannot verify your motorcycle insurance, the officer will give you an Affidavit and Notice of Suspension. When you get this, it gives you a valid license for seven days. You must provide proof of insurance within this time, or your license will become suspended. If you have insurance, but previously let it lapse, you must provide a form SR22.

If you are found driving without insurance a second time, your license will be suspended for four months, and if you are found driving without insurance for a third time, you will receive an eight-month suspension.

Reinstating Your License

To reinstate your license after suspension for not having insurance, you must complete the application for reinstatement (DR27870), pay a reinstatement fee, which is $95 as of 2012, and provide the SR22 from your insurance company.