Utah law requires motorists to carry Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability insurance to help pay for damages they cause in an auto accident. The minimum amounts drivers are required to carry (since 1/1/2009) are: $25,000 per person and $65,000 for two or more persons for Bodily Injury Liability and $15,000 for Property Damage Liability. Typically this is shown on your policy as 25/65/15.

So whether you have an automobile or motorcycle you need 25/65/15 Liability coverages on it at the very least. If you have a lien holder on the vehicle than they can require you to have more insurance, such as Collision and Comprehensive Physical Damage coverages so that the bike, the asset, is better covered.

According to Utah laws you may be required to state in writing or present other reasonable evidence that you (not the bank, loan company or lien holder) have owner’s insurance (or similar security) in effect at the time of registering, obtaining license plates for, or a safety inspection of your motorcycle. The law also states that any person operating a motorcycle shall have in his/her immediate possession evidence of insurance for that vehicle. Failure to provide proof of insurance when requested by a peace officer can result in having to surrender your driver license and face additional penalties.

When applying for motorcycle insurance an insurance company will ask if you have a motorcycle or endorsement however it will depend upon their internal guidelines if they will allow you to obtain liability insurance for the bike without having the motorcycle endorsement yet. If you have an driver's license for automobiles than the insurer can rate you using that license however it is preferable that you have the motorcycle endorsement on your license so that the insurance company knows you will be driving the bike legally.

If you do obtain motorcycle insurance for the bike without obtaining your endorsement on your Utah driver's license and do ride your motorcycle there may be issues with insurance if you are in an accident and they find you were driving without the correct license (endorsement) for the bike.

Keep in mind when buying motorcycle insurance that there are available different types available among insurance companies. Before your purchase insurance for your motorcycle, check with your current company to see if it offers separate policies or if it simply adds an endorsement to your auto policy.

If your insurance company insures your motorcycle with an endorsement to your auto policy, that means that a document, called a rider, is attached to your auto policy. This endorsement states how the policy will cover your motorcycle, but it is based on the situations, coverages and definitions outlined in your auto policy.

In some states, you may have the option to choose whether you want a motorcycle endorsement or policy; however, most states only offer motorcycle policies. If your insurance company offers motorcycle policies, that means your motorcycle will have its own policy while your auto will have a separate policy. A policy gives you broader coverage for your bike than a motorcycle endorsement.

If instead you are offered a motorcycle insurance endorsement keep in mind it may not offer the flexibility that a motorcycle policy can offer. For instance, with an endorsement, your motorcycle liability limits will be the same as your auto liability limits. If you have $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 limits for your auto, you will have the same limits for your motorcycle.

Since it appears you still need to get the Utah endorsement on your license to ride a motorcycle you can contact the UT Department of Public Safety (DPS) to get a copy of the Motorcycle Operator manual and start the process to get your endorsement.

According to Utah Traffic Code 53-3-202 a person must be licensed to operate any motor vehicle on public roads. The definition of a motor vehicle under UCA 41-6a-102 states: a “motor vehicle means a vehicle which is self-propelled…” There are two exceptions to this. One is the “motor-assisted scooter” and the other is the “electric personal assistive mobility device”. A motorcycle is specifically defined as a motor vehicle, other than a tractor, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel with not more than 3 wheels in contact with the ground.

A driver’s license and motorcycle endorsement are required to ride a motorcycle on public roads and land according to the UT Department of Public Safety (DPS). Effective since July 8, 2008, Utah now requires all new motorcycle riders to be restricted to riding a motorcycle based on the cc size of the motorcycle upon which the rider is tested. The following 3 restrictions will be used:

O = 90 cc or less Motorcycle
2 = 249 cc or less Motorcycle
3 = 649 cc or less Motorcycle

If you are tested on a motorcycle 650 cc or greater no restriction will be placed on your license and you will be permitted to ride any size motorcycle.

Written and skills tests are required for all original motorcycle endorsements. However, the skills test may be waived with successful completion of an approved Beginning Rider Course (BRC). The skills test may also be waived with the successful completion of the Experienced Rider Course (ERC) if you were tested at the end of the ERC by a certified motorcycle education instructor.

If you are NOT taking the BRC or the ERC but getting your motorcycle endorsement through the Driver License Division (DLD) it will be necessary for you to take the motorcycle skills test at one of the DLD offices, most offices require an appointment for the skills test.

If you can get your motorcycle endorsement before obtaining insurance for your motorcycle it would be helpful but not necessarily a requirement of an insurance company. You can start your search for motorcycle insurance here with us.