The Motorcycle Lawyer recently learned that as of January 1st new laws have come in to affect that will increase requirements for bikers in North Carolina to get their motorcycle endorsement.  Previously, potential riders in N.C. could obtain a permit after passing only a written test.  This permit expired after 18 months but could be renewed indefinitely.  The new law will require all riders under the age of 18 to pass a safety course and a road test before getting a permit.  The new permit will only be valid for 12 months and there is only the possibility of one 6 month extension.  These new laws are being enforced after officials realized that North Carolina was one of the few states with an increase in motorcycle fatalities while the rest of the country had a decrease.  N.C. officials are contributing lack of safety training and inexperienced riders to the 29% rise.

If these new requirments prove to make a difference I'm sure we can expect to see laws like this popping up throughout the country.

Ride Safe Fellow Bikers