Connecticut Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

The State of Connecticut has many nice areas to ride just for the fun of riding. You can ride along the coast or along rivers inland. You can take day trips to visit some of the many historical sites that Connecticut has to offer. Or, you can ride your bike to work every day while the weather is nice.

The State of Connecticut requires that you have insurance and follow certain safety regulations. Even though Connecticut’s helmet law is lax, you should wear a helmet if you are riding on the highway or in high traffic areas. Often cars do not see people on motorcycles — even when looking right at the person on the motorcycle. Insurance and safety gear protect you from other drivers.

Safety Requirements

The State of Connecticut requires anyone under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. Also, anyone holding an instructional permit must wear a helmet. If you are over 18 years of age and have a motorcycle endorsement, you are not required to wear a helmet.

Eye protection is required, unless you have a windscreen, though it is recommended that you use eye protection unless you are wearing a full-face helmet with the shield lowered. Anything could get into your eyes while you are riding, which could cause you to lose control of your motorcycle.

If you want to have a passenger ride with you, you must have a passenger seat and foot pegs for the passenger. The State of Connecticut does not have an age limitation for passengers. There are no restrictions on helmet speakers, though it is a good idea not to blast music through them, as you won’t be able to hear traffic.

The law does not require turn signals, but if you do a lot of riding on the street, especially in the city, it is recommended that you have turn signals. Car drivers already claim that they cannot see motorcycles, so anything that brings attention to you is a good thing.

You also cannot have ape hangers on your Connecticut-registered motorcycle. Connecticut requires that the height of handlebars is not higher than the operator’s shoulders.

Testing and Endorsements

The State of Connecticut requires every operator to take the skill test. You may also get a rider-education waiver. If you have a motorcycle endorsement from another state, Connecticut will accept that. An insurance company might not insure you if you do not have the endorsement.

Insurance

The State of Connecticut’s statutes require you to carry motorcycle insurance. Prior to 1984, motorcyclists did not need to have insurance. Connecticut Statute section 14-12(f)(5) requires insurance.

Section 14-289 requires liability insurance. Connecticut Statutes section 14-112 spell out the recommended minimum coverage, which is $20,000 for injury or death of one person, $40,000 for the injury or death of two or more people in one accident, and $10,000 to cover property damage.

You must carry your insurance card with you on the bike at all times. If you are found riding without insurance, the penalties could range from a ticket and fines to revocation of your registration and/or license, depending on the officer who stops you and the number of times you’ve been cited for driving without insurance.
Registration

Even though you do not need insurance, your motorcycle must be registered in the State of Connecticut. If you are registering a new motorcycle, the dealership will take care of registration and titling for you.

If you are registering a used motorcycle, you will need to bring several things with you to the Department of Motor Vehicles:

• Bill of sale
• Application for Registration and Certificate of Title
• Proof of insurance (if you are going to insure your motorcycle)
• Identification
• Emissions test report

If you are registering a new motorcycle, the finance company may require you to carry more than the minimum motorcycle insurance required by Connecticut law, so that the finance company can protect its investment. Connecticut’s minimums are quite low, so it is a good idea to carry a bit more, especially if you have a more expensive motorcycle.