LAWS
(55)
“Motorcycle” means every motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than
three wheels in contact with the ground, except any such vehicle as may be
included within the term “farm tractor” and except a motorized bicycle as
defined in paragraph (b) of subsection (59) of this section.
(56)
“Motor-driven cycle” means every motorcycle, including every motorscooter, with
a motor which produces not to exceed six brake-horsepower and every bicycle
with motor attached, but not trail bikes, minibikes, go-carts, golf carts, and
similar vehicles which are not designed for or approved by the department for
use on the public roads or highways and not motorized bicycles as defined in
paragraph (b) of subsection (59) of this section.
42-2-106.
Instruction permits and temporary licenses
1
(a), who holds a valid Colorado driver’s
license, and who occupies the front seat in close proximity to the driver, or
in the case of a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, under the immediate
proximate supervision of a licensed driver, who holds a valid Colorado driver’s
license and is twenty-one years of age or older, authorized under this article
to drive a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. In addition, the parent,
stepparent, grandparent with power of attorney, or guardian or foster parent,
who is authorized pursuant to this section to supervise the minor driver while
the minor is driving, may allow the minor, while having the permit in the
applicant’s immediate possession, to drive with an individual who holds a valid
driver’s license and is twenty-one years of age or older for additional driving
experience, but such additional driving experience shall not count toward the
requirement established in section 42-2-104. The permit shall expire three years after issuance. The
department shall issue a permit entitling the applicant, who is eighteen years
of age or older, while having the permit in the applicant’s immediate
possession, to drive a motor vehicle, motorcycle, or motor-driven cycle upon
the highways when accompanied by a driver, who holds a valid Colorado driver’s
license and is twenty-one years of age or older, who occupies the front seat of
the motor vehicle, or if the vehicle is a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle,
under the immediate proximate supervision of a driver, who is authorized under
this article to drive a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. The permit shall
expire three years after issuance.
(b) (I) A minor who is fifteen years of age or older and
enrolled, attending, and participating in a driver education course that
includes a minimum of six hours of driving-behind-the-wheel instruction with a
certified driver education instructor and is approved by the department may
apply for a minor’s instruction permit, pursuant to sections 42-2-107 and 42-2-108. Upon presentation of a written or printed
statement signed by the parent, stepparent, grandparent with power of attorney,
or guardian or foster parent and the instructor of the driver education course
that the minor is enrolled, attending, and participating in an approved driver
education course that includes a minimum of six hours of
driving-behind-the-wheel instruction with a certified driver education
instructor, the department shall issue the permit entitling the applicant,
while having the permit in the applicant’s immediate possession, to drive a
motor vehicle, including a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, under the
supervision of the parent, stepparent, grandparent with power of attorney, or
guardian or foster parent, who cosigned the application for the minor’s
instruction permit, if the parent, stepparent, grandparent with power of
attorney, or guardian or foster parent holds a valid Colorado driver’s license
and occupies the front seat of the motor vehicle, or if the vehicle is a
motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, is authorized under this article to drive a
motorcycle or motor-driven cycle and is in close proximity to the driver while
the minor is driving. In addition, the parent, stepparent, grandparent with
power of attorney, or guardian or foster parent, who is authorized pursuant to
this section to supervise the minor driver while the minor is driving, may
allow the minor, while having the permit in the applicant’s immediate
possession, to drive with an individual who holds a valid driver’s license and
is twenty-one years of age or older for additional driving experience, but such
additional driving experience shall not count toward the requirement
established in section 42-2-104. The permit shall also entitle the applicant to drive a
motor vehicle, including a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle that is marked to
indicate that it is a motor vehicle used for instruction and that is properly
equipped for instruction upon the highways when accompanied by or under the
supervision of an approved driver education instructor who holds a valid
Colorado driver’s license. Driver education instructors giving instruction in
motorcycle safety shall have a valid motorcycle driver’s license from
(c) A person sixteen years of age or older who, except for
his or her lack of instruction in operating a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle,
would otherwise be qualified to obtain a driver’s license under this article to
drive a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, may apply for a temporary instruction
permit, pursuant to sections 42-2-107 and 42-2-108. The department shall issue the permit
entitling the applicant, while having the permit in the applicant’s immediate
possession, to drive a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle upon the highways while
under the immediate supervision of a licensed driver, who holds a valid
Colorado driver’s license and is twenty-one years of age or older, authorized
under this article to drive a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. The permit
shall expire three years after issuance.
42-2-114. License
issued - fees - repeal.
On and after July 1, 2006, there shall be
a surcharge of two dollars added for issuance of a driver’s or provisional
driver’s license for which a motorcycle endorsement is requested which shall be
credited to the motorcycle operator safety training fund created in section 43-5-504, C.R.S.
42-4-1501.
Traffic laws apply to persons operating motorcycles - special permits.
1.
Every person operating a motorcycle shall be granted all of the rights
and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other
vehicle under this article, except as to special regulations in this article
and except as to those provisions of this article which by their nature can
have no application.
2.
For the purposes of a
prearranged organized special event and upon a showing that safety will be
reasonably maintained, the department of transportation may grant a special
permit exempting the operation of a motorcycle from any requirement of this
part 15.
42-4-1502.
Riding on motorcycles.
(1) A
person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular
seat attached thereto, and such operator shall not carry any other person nor
shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless such motorcycle is designed
to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the
permanent seat if designed for two persons or upon another seat firmly attached
to the motorcycle at the rear or side of the operator.
(2) A
person shall ride upon a motorcycle only while sitting astride the seat, facing
forward, with one leg on either side of the motorcycle.
(3) No
person shall operate a motorcycle while carrying packages, bundles, or other
articles which prevent the person from keeping both hands on the handlebars.
(4) No
operator shall carry any person nor shall any person ride in a position that
will interfere with the operation or control of the motorcycle or the view of
the operator.
(5) Any
person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction.
(1) All
motorcycles are entitled to full use of a traffic lane, and no motor vehicle
shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use
of a traffic lane. This subsection (1) shall not apply to motorcycles operated
two abreast in a single lane.
(2) The
operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake or pass in the same lane occupied
by the vehicle being overtaken.
(3) No
person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent
lines or rows of vehicles.
(4)
Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.
(5) Subsections
(2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to police officers in the
performance of their official duties.
(6) Any
person who violates any provision of this section commits a class A traffic
infraction
42-4-1012.
High occupancy vehicle (HOV) and high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes.
(1)
A motorcycle may be
operated upon high occupancy vehicle lanes pursuant to section 163 of Public
Law 97-424 or upon high occupancy toll lanes, unless prohibited by official
traffic control devices.
(2) Every
motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with at least one and
not more than two head lamps which shall comply with the requirements and
limitations of sections 42-4-202 and 42-4-204 to 42-4-231 and part 3 of this article where
applicable thereto.
(3) Every
head lamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle and motor-driven
cycle, shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp
of not more than fifty-four inches nor less than twenty-four inches, to be
measured as set forth in section 42-4-204 (3).
Every
tail lamp upon every vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than
seventy-two inches nor less than twenty inches, to be measured as set forth in
section 42-4-204 (3).
(3)
Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be so constructed and placed as to
illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly
legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps,
together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate,
shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving
lamps are lighted. This subsection (3) shall not apply to neighborhood electric
vehicles.
Every new
motor vehicle sold and operated on and after January 1, 1958, upon a highway
shall carry on the rear, whether as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two
red reflectors; except that every motorcycle and every motor-driven cycle shall
carry at least one reflector meeting the requirements of this section, and
vehicles of the type mentioned in section 42-4-207 shall be equipped with reflectors as required in those
sections applicable thereto.
(2) No
person shall sell or offer for sale or operate on the highways any motor
vehicle registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after January 1,
1958, unless it is equipped with at least two stop lamps meeting the
requirements of section 42-4-215 (1); except that a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle
manufactured or assembled after said date shall be equipped with at least one
stop lamp meeting the requirements of section 42-4-215 (1).
(2)
No person shall sell
or offer for sale or operate on the highways any motor vehicle, trailer, or
semitrailer registered in this state and manufactured or assembled after
January 1, 1958, and no person shall operate any motor vehicle, trailer, or
semitrailer on the highways when the distance from the center of the top of the
steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab, or load of such motor
vehicle exceeds twenty-four inches, unless it is equipped with electrical turn
signals meeting the requirements of section 42-4-215 (2). This subsection (3) shall not apply to any motorcycle
or motor-driven cycle
42-4-232. Minimum
safety standards for motorcycles and motor-driven cycles.
(1) No
person shall operate any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle on any public highway
in this state unless such person and any passenger thereon is wearing goggles
or eyeglasses with lenses made of safety glass or plastic.
(2) The
department shall adopt standards and specifications for the design of goggles
and eyeglasses.
(3) Any
motorcycle carrying a passenger, other than in a sidecar or enclosed cab, shall
be equipped with footrests for such passengers.
Any person who violates any provision of
this section commits a class A traffic infraction.
42-4-503. Projecting
loads on passenger vehicles.
No
passenger-type vehicle, except a motorcycle or a bicycle, shall be operated on
any highway with any load carried thereon extending beyond the line of the
fenders on the left side of such vehicle nor extending more than six inches
beyond the line of the fenders on the right side thereof. Any person who
violates any provision of this section commits a class B traffic infraction
MOTORCYCLE
OPERATORS SAFETY PROGRAM
As used
in this part 5, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1)
“Director” means the director of the office.
(2)
“Fund” means the motorcycle operator safety training fund created in section 43-5-504.
(3)
“Instructor training specialist” means a licensed motorcycle operator who meets
the standards promulgated by the office to train and oversee instructors for
the program.
(4)
“Office” means the office of transportation safety in the department of
transportation.
(5)
“Program” means the motorcycle operator safety training program established
pursuant to section 43-5-502.
43-5-502.
Motorcycle operator safety training program.
(1) (a)
(I) The office shall establish a motorcycle operator safety training program
which shall include courses to develop the knowledge, attitudes, habits, and
skills necessary for the safe operation of a motorcycle. Such program shall
include instruction relating to the effects of alcohol and drugs on the operation
of motorcycles, and it shall include a course to train instructors. The office
shall set standards for the certification of courses in the program. The office
shall contract with vendors for the purpose of providing the program.
(II) Any
resident of the state who holds a current valid
(b) The
director may certify any person meeting the applicable standards as an
instructor training specialist to assist in establishing motorcycle operator
safety training courses throughout the state, in implementing the program, and
in training and monitoring instructors.
(c) The
director shall designate a program coordinator to implement and administer the
program. In no event shall the office expend more than fifteen percent of the
total cost of the program for administrative costs.
(d) The
office shall adopt such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the
provisions of the program pursuant to article 4 of title 24, C.R.S.
(2) The
office shall begin implementation of this part 5 on November 1, 1990, or when
the moneys in the fund are sufficient to pay for the costs of implementing the
program, whichever is later. However, operation of courses in the program shall
commence no later than July 1, 1991.
43-5-503.
Instructor requirements and training
(1) The
office shall establish standards for an approved instructor training course.
Successful completion of the course shall require the participant to
demonstrate knowledge of course material, knowledge of safe motorcycle
operating practices, and the necessary aptitude for instructing students.
(2) Each
applicant for an instructor certificate shall be at least twenty-one years of
age and hold a valid
(3) No
applicant shall be certified as an instructor if, within the three years
preceding the date on which the application for certification is made:
(a) The
applicant was convicted for an offense which is assigned eight or more points
in the point system schedule, as specified in section 42-2-127 (5), C.R.S., or its equivalent in another state; or
(b) The
applicant’s driver’s license from any other state was revoked or suspended.
(4) The
office shall prescribe the form for an approved instructor certificate and
shall provide for verification that a certified instructor is currently active
in the program. No instructor shall participate in the program without a
current certificate
43-5-504.
Motorcycle operator safety training fund
There is
hereby created in the state treasury a motorcycle operator safety training fund
which shall consist of moneys collected pursuant to sections 42-2-114 (2) (b) and (4) (b), 42-2-118 (1) (b) (II), and 42-3-304
(4), C.R.S. The moneys in the fund shall be available immediately, without
further appropriation, for allocation by the transportation commission to the
office of transportation safety to be used for the implementation and
administration of the program. Moneys credited to the fund shall remain therein
at the end of each fiscal year and shall not be transferred to any other fund.