All states, including Texas, require riders to have an endorsement or license specifically for motorcycle operators. This license is designed to ensure that motorcyclists have the knowledge and skills to avoid motorcycle accidents.
After an accident, insurers will often try to point to the rider’s licensing status to imply that they rode negligently. An Austin motorcycle accident lawyer from Anderson Injury Lawyers can help counter this tactic. Contact us today for a free consultation at (512) 399-5000 with an experienced Austin motorcycle accident attorney. Here’s what you need to know about the licensing requirements in Austin and how an attorney can help after a crash.
How Anderson Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Austin, TX
Motorcycle accident claims often involve serious injuries, disputed liability, and insurance companies that try to minimize payouts. Anderson Injury Lawyers has recovered more than $100 million for injured clients and is committed to helping accident victims protect their rights and pursue the compensation they deserve.
When you hire our Austin personal injury lawyers, we can:
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence to establish liability
- Identify all available insurance coverage and liable parties
- Calculate the full value of your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future damages
- Handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance companies
- File a lawsuit and represent you in court if a fair settlement cannot be reached
Recovering from a motorcycle accident is difficult enough without having to navigate the legal process alone.
Texas Motorcycle License Requirements
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues both driver’s licenses and motorcyclist endorsements. The DPS provides a few different processes for obtaining a motorcycle license, depending on the age and license status of the applicant.
Adult Applicants
Applicants 18 and older must take a motorcycle safety course from an approved provider. This course follows the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse curriculum. It includes a lecture segment that may be completed online or in a live classroom setting. The segment ends with a written exam.
The course also includes hands-on instruction. This portion typically occurs in a parking lot where the instructor can create an obstacle course.
The student learns the following skills during this practical training:
- Inspecting the motorcycle
- Accelerating and braking
- Shifting gears
- Cornering
- Emergency maneuvering
The hands-on portion ends with a skills test. Students who pass both the written and skills exams will earn a course completion certificate.
Adult applicants with valid driver’s licenses do not need to take any additional tests when they turn in their course completion certificates at DPS sites. However, adults without a driver’s license must pass the DPS road test before obtaining a motorcycle license.
Applicants Between 15 and 17 Years Old
In addition to taking a motorcycle safety class, young riders must also meet these standards:
- Complete the classroom portion of a driver education class
- Hold a high school diploma or verify school enrollment
- Prove at least 90% school attendance or active enrollment in a GED course
All applicants under 18 must also pass the DPS road test.
Applicants With Valid Out-Of-State Motorcycle Licenses
Adult applicants can obtain a Texas motorcycle license by surrendering their valid and unexpired out-of-state motorcycle license. DPS does not need proof that the applicant completed a motorcycle safety course. Moreover, the department does not require currently licensed riders to pass the DPS road test.
Liability for Austin Motorcycle Crashes Involving Unlicensed Riders
An unlicensed motorcyclist is not automatically at fault for a crash. In Texas, liability is based on negligence, meaning the person whose careless actions caused the accident is generally responsible for the resulting damages.
For example, if a driver runs a red light, fails to yield, or is distracted and causes a collision, they may still be liable even if the injured motorcyclist did not have a valid motorcycle license. The key issue is who caused the accident—not whether the rider was properly licensed.
Does Riding Without a Motorcycle License Affect Your Injury Claim?
Many injured riders worry that not having a valid motorcycle license will prevent them from recovering compensation after a crash. While insurance companies may try to use an unlicensed status against you, it does not automatically bar your claim under Texas law.
Instead, the focus remains on whether the other driver’s negligence caused the accident and your injuries. An experienced Austin motorcycle accident lawyer can protect your rights, push back against unfair arguments from insurers, and work to maximize the compensation available in your case.
Contact Our Austin Motorcycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A motorcycle accident can leave you facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and an uncertain future. Anderson Injury Lawyers is here to protect your rights, handle the legal process, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Austin motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your case and learn how we can help.