North Dakota Motorcycle Insurance Requirements

The State of North Dakota requires that motorcyclists provide financial responsibility, whether in the form of insurance, self insurance or under the North Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan. Even if you ride only for pleasure for a few months out of the year, you must carry some type of financial responsibility on your motorcycle.

Insurance Options and Minimum Requirements

The options you choose for providing financial responsibility depend on your financial ability. If you choose to self insure, you must have a minimum of 26 vehicles registered in your name. Self insuring is typically used by dealerships because of the number of vehicles you must have registered in your name and the cost of self insuring. You may also cover yourself under the North Dakota Automobile Insurance Plan. For more information on the plan, contact (877) 251-3200.

The most popular method of providing financial responsibility is liability insurance. The State of North Dakota spells out minimums, but they are low. Depending on the type of bike you have and your financial situation, you may want to increase the limits. The state requires that you carry at least $25,000 for the injury or death of one person in any one accident, $50,000 for the death or injury of two or more people in any one accident and $25,000 for property damage in any one accident.

The state of North Dakota also requires uninsured motorist coverage of $25,000 for Bodily Injury, and underinsured motorist coverage equal to the amount of uninsured motorist coverage carried.

Penalties for Not Carrying Financial Responsibility

The State of North Dakota imposes penalties for failing to carry insurance or otherwise maintain financial responsibility. If you get caught riding with no proof of insurance or no proof of another method of financial responsibility, you may be fined a minimum of $150. For a second offense, your bike could be impounded. If you are in an accident and do not have insurance coverage or other financial responsibility arrangements, your license could be suspended.

Safety Requirements

North Dakota only requires those under the age of 18 to wear helmets; and the helmets must have reflectors. The state does not have restrictions on helmet speakers, but you should be able to hear traffic — especially emergency vehicles — while listening to the radio or talking through a microphone/speaker set up. Eye protection is not required, but is recommended, even if you have a windscreen. Debris could come over the top of the windscreen and cause problems.

The State of North Dakota requires your bike to have a passenger seat and passenger foot pegs if you want to carry a passenger. At least one mirror is required. Additionally, the handlebars cannot be above the shoulder of the operator while the operator is seated.

Off Road Requirements

The State of North Dakota requires all riders under the age of 18 to wear helmets on ATVs only. Eye protection is not required, though helmets and eye protection are recommended. Some organized sports, such as off road racing and jumping require helmets and eye protection even though state law does not mandate it.

The state does not have a minimum age for riding motorcycles, but riders under 12 cannot ride ATVs. ATV riders between 12 and 16 must have a safety certificate. An operator license is not required for motorcycles, but is for ATVs. Registration and title of the motorcycle is not required, but it is recommended that you title the bike so that you have proof of ownership.

Motorcycle Registration

When you purchase your bike, complete an Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of Vehicle. You can download it from the State of North Dakota’s motor vehicle web site or you can pick one up at any motor vehicle office. Bring the form, along with the registration fees, to the motor vehicle office. It takes about three weeks for the state to mail your certificate and decal.

For renewal, you will receive a renewal notice about four weeks before your registration expires. You can renew your registration online or you can mail the form in. If you choose to renew online, you must have a credit card and takes five to seven days. If you choose to renew by mail, the process takes about three weeks.