Summary of Contents for Florida HSMV 71905
- Page 1 2006 Includes Moped Information A COMPLETE COPY OF THIS MANUAL IS AVAILABLE VIA THE INTERNET AT: http://www/hsmv.state.fl.us ACCESS TO GOVERNOR’S HOME PAGE VIA: http://MyFlorida.com...
- Page 2 FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES Florida is a great place to ride motorcycles year round. Being properly licensed is required by law and is one of the first steps to becoming a safe rider. This motorcycle operator’s manual contains valuable information for both novice and experienced motorcyclists on techniques to operate a motorcycle safely.
- Page 3 Failure to carry property damage and bodi- ly injury liability insurance in case of a crash, DUI conviction or other occurrences outlined in Florida’s FR Law, Ch. 324, may result...
- Page 4 RESTRICTIONS Persons holding a Florida Learner’s Driver’s License may not legally operate or be licensed to operate any two or three wheel motor vehicles on Florida roads, streets or highways regardless of his or her age (Per s. 322.1615 F.S.)
- Page 5 provisions of this chapter, which by their nature can have no application. (2)(a) Any person operating a moped upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the fol- lowing situations: When overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
- Page 6 Many Florida motorcycle riders wear cheap and unsafe helmets that do not meet FMVSS 218. Most of these helmets are sold as novelty items by merchants and are used to circumvent the FMVSS 218 requirements.
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Page 7: Table Of Contents
CONTENTS CRASH AVOIDANCE ......17 Quick Stops ........17 Swerving or Turning Quickly. -
Page 8: Preparing To Ride
PREPARING TO RIDE What you do before you start a trip goes a long way toward determining whether or not you’ll get where you want to go safely. Before taking off on any trip, a safe rider makes a point to: 1. -
Page 9: Know Your Motorcycle
In cold or wet weather, your clothes should keep you warm and dry, as well as protect you from injury. You cannot control a motorcycle well if you are numb. Riding for long periods in cold weather can cause severe chill and fatigue. A winter jacket should resist wind and fit snugly at the neck, wrists and waist. -
Page 10: Know Your Responsibilities
Before mounting the motorcycle, make the following checks: • Tires — Check the air pressure, general wear and tread. Fluids — Oil and fluid levels. At a minimum, check hydraulic fluids and coolants weekly. Look under the motorcycle for signs of an oil or gas leak. •... -
Page 11: Braking
Make certain you are riding slowly enough when you shift into a lower gear. If not, the motorcycle will lurch, and the rear wheel may skid. When riding downhill or shifting into first gear you may need to use the brakes to slow enough before downshifting safely. Work toward a smooth, even clutch release, especially when downshifting. -
Page 12: Following Another Vehicle
Avoid others’ blind spots. • Avoid surface hazards. • • Protect your lane from other drivers. Communicate your intentions. • Avoid wind blast from other vehicles. • Provide an escape route. • Select the appropriate path to maximize your space cushion and make yourself more easily seen by others on the road. In general, there is no single best position for riders to be seen and to maintain a space cushion around the motorcycle. -
Page 13: Lane Sharing
to avoid hazards in your lane. Ride through the blind spot as quickly as possible. Signal again, and complete mirror and headchecks before returning to your original lane and then cancel the signal. Remember, passes must be completed within posted speed limits, and only where permitted. Know your signs and road markings! BEING PASSED When you are being passed from behind or by an oncoming vehicle, stay PASSING... -
Page 14: Intersections
Let’s examine each of these steps. SEARCH Search aggressively ahead, to the sides and behind to avoid potential hazards even before they arise. How assertively you search, and how much time and space you have, can eliminate or reduce harm. Focus even more on finding potential escape routes in or around intersections, shopping areas and school and construction zones. -
Page 15: Blind Intersections
BLIND INTERSECTIONS If you appr oach a blind intersection, move to the portion of the lane that will bring you into another driver’s field of vision at the earliest possi- ble moment. In this picture, the rider has moved to the left portion of the lane—away from the parked car—so the driver on the cross street can see him as soon as possible. -
Page 16: Headlight
HEADLIGHT The best way to help others see your motorcycle is to keep the headlight on — at all times (although motorcycles sold in the USA since 1978 automatically have the headlights on when running). Studies show that, during the day, a motorcycle with its light on is twice as likely to be noticed. -
Page 17: Riding At Night
Here are some situations: A driver in the lane next to you is driving too closely to the vehicle ahead and may want to pass. • A parked car has someone in the driver’s seat. • • Someone is in the street, riding a bicycle or walking. In an emergency, press the horn button loud and long. -
Page 18: Cornering
A swerve is any sudden change in direction. It can be two quick turns, or a rapid shift to the side. Apply a small amount of hand pressure to the han- dlegrip located on the side of your intended direction of escape. This will cause the motorcycle to lean quickly. The sharper the turn(s), the more the motorcycle must lean. -
Page 19: Railroad Tracks, Trolley Tracks And Pavement Seams
To ride safely on slippery surfaces: Reduce Speed — Slow down before you get to a slippery surface to lessen your chances of skidding. Your motorcycle needs more • distance to stop. And it is particularly important to reduce speed before entering wet curves. Avoid Sudden Moves —... -
Page 20: Stuck Throttle
If braking is required, however, gradually apply the brake of the tire that isn’t flat, if you are sure which one it is. • When the motorcycle slows, edge to the side of the road, squeeze the clutch and stop. •... -
Page 21: Carrying Passengers And Cargo
CARRYING PASSENGERS AND CARGO Only experienced riders should carry passengers or large loads. The extra weight changes the way the motorcycle handles, balances, speeds up and slows down. Before taking a passenger or a heavy load on the street, practice away from traffic. EQUIPMENT To carry passengers safely: Equip and adjust your motorcycle to carry passengers. -
Page 22: Keep Your Distance
KEEP THE GROUP TOGETHER Test Yourself • Plan — The leader should look ahead for changes and signal early so “the word gets back” in plenty of time. Start lane changes early to permit When riding in a group, inexperienced riders everyone to complete the change. -
Page 23: Alcohol In The Body
Many over-the-counter, prescription and illegal drugs have side effects that increase the risk of riding. It is difficult to accurately measure the involvement of particular drugs in motorcycle crashes. But we do know what effects various drugs have on the process involved in riding a motorcycle. -
Page 24: Step In To Protect Friends
Or Don’t Ride — If you haven’t controlled your drinking, you must control your riding. • Leave the motorcycle — so you won’t be tempted to ride. Arrange another way to get home. Wait — If you exceed your limit, wait until your system eliminates the alcohol and its fatiguing effects. •... -
Page 25: On-Cycle Skill Test
ON-CYCLE SKILL TEST Basic vehicle control and crash-avoidance skills are included in on-cycle tests to determine your ability to handle normal and hazardous traffic situations. You may be tested for your ability to: Know your motorcycle and your riding limits. •... - Page 27 Election Campaign - $5 minimum to be transferred to the Election Campaign Financing Trust Fund. Florida Organ and Tissue Donor Education and Procurement Trust Fund - $1 minimum for organ and tissue donor education and for maintaining the organ and tissue donor registry.
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