Idaho Motorcycle Insurance and Safety Regulations

Idaho requires several safety requirements, in addition to providing financial responsibility for motorcycle riders. Some of the safety requirements, such as wearing a helmet, are lax, but if you are caught disobeying the laws, your insurance company may elect to not pay a claim or may drop you entirely.

Safety Regulations

The State of Idaho requires that riders under the age of 18 wear a helmet. For those who are required to wear a helmet, there are no helmet speaker restrictions. Eye protection is not required, but is recommended, as dust, dirt, pebbles and bugs could fly into your eyes. This could cause you to lose control of your bike and crash. Further, the wind in your eyes makes your eyes water, which makes it difficult to see.

Further, you want to carry a passenger, you must have a passenger seat and foot pegs for the passenger. There are no passenger age restrictions. Also, the law requires mirrors. Turn signals are not required, but it is a good idea to have them and use them, as many people either don’t know or have forgotten the hand signals. There are no restrictions on handlebar height, so you can have ape hangers.

Off Road Safety Regulations

When riding off road, a helmet is required if the rider is 17 years of age or younger. Eye protection is not required. There is no minimum operator age and a driver’s license is not required to ride off road. Always take proper safety precautions, especially if you are riding in competitive events or jumping. The off road motorcycle must re registered and titled.

Proof of Financial Responsibility

You must provide some sort of proof of financial responsibility to ride a motorcycle on the public roads of Idaho. You can choose from one of several methods:

• Self Insurance. You must have more than 25 vehicles registered in your name to self-insure.
• Obtain a surety bond from a broker that is in the State of Idaho and is authorized to do business in the state.
• Deposit enough cash to cover an accident with the State Treasurer. For deposit amounts, contact the treasurer at (208) 334-3200.
• Purchase motorcycle liability insurance.

You must have some sort of financial liability and must be able to show proof of such financial responsibility if you are stopped or in an accident, if your motorcycle requires insurance.

You must insure your motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. The State of Idaho defines a motorcycle has having a seat for riding purposes and two or three wheels. A motor-driven cycle is a bike with a motor that has up to five brake horsepower.

You are not required to title a moped, nor do you need a motorcycle endorsement to drive one. A moped has a motor that cannot go faster than 30 mph. If the engine is an internal combustion engine — a gas or diesel engine — it cannot be larger than 50 cc. It has an automatic transmission. Its motor is electric and the motor makes less than two gross brake horsepower.

Minimum Insurance Requirements

The State of Idaho requires that if you carry motorcycle insurance, that you carry at least the minimum amounts. The minimum amounts for the state are low; depending on your financial position and the type of bike you have, you may want to consider additional insurance. You must have at least $25,000 for the injury or death of one person in any one accident, $50,000 for the injury or death of two or more people in any one accident and $15,000 for property damage.

If cost is a factor, shop around. Not all insurance companies charge the same for their policies. You may find another insurance company that gives you higher coverage amounts for close to or even less than the same money for higher coverage levels.

Also check your insurance carrier for discounts. Some insurance agents will give you a discount for completing the Skills Training Advantage for Riders (STAR) program for safety.

Penalties for Failing to Maintain Financial Responsibility

If you are caught driving without motorcycle insurance, you could face penalties. If it is your first time driving without motorcycle insurance, you may face a fine of $75 plus you will have to provide proof of insurance for one year.

If it is your second offense driving without insurance, you could face a fine of up to $1,000; will have to provide proof of insurance for three years; and, may face a jail sentence of up to six months.