Have you recently gotten into the sport of dirt biking and can’t seem to take your foot off the accelerator? Or maybe you have a racing tournament coming up real soon and want to practise your skills beforehand. Whatever the case is, one thing is for sure, you need to find a legal and safe street to ride your dirt bike in.
Just like safety certificates, dirt bike laws also vary in different countries and adjoining states. Every rider must abide by the rules and regulations concerning the safety of the rider and passers-by at all times. Today, we are here to delve deeper into the thrilling sport of dirt biking and determine what streets are labelled as legal for them in the United States of America. Therefore, without further ado, let’s get started!
Why are dirt bikes illegal to ride in most places?
Before we begin talking about the laws and regulations regarding dirt biking in the USA, let us shed some light on the construction of this dangerous yet attractive type of motorbike. Deemed as suitable for off-road use only, dirt bikes lack the consequential features that make any motorcycle suitable for use on roads and streets.
With no functioning headlights, taillight, insurance, registration and turning indicators featured, dirt bikes differ a lot from conventional motorcycles and have a higher risk of sustaining severe injuries in case of unfortunate accidents. However, there are still some restricted and limited places located in the US where you can learn and brush up your dirt biking skills.
To know about these streets and the right way to get to them in detail, continue reading our article until the very end.
What are the best places to ride your dirt bike?
Irrespective of which country you reside in, there are some places where not even the government can stop you from riding your dirt bike. The first choice in this category is your very own backyard. Just make sure that your neighbours don’t mind slight noise and air pollution every once a week before turning on the ignition and taking your dirt bike out for a round.
Next, there are many public parks and streets specifically designated for riders with dirt bikes in the USA. Look up the names and location of these places alongside the essentials required to practise in them.
These conditions vary from place to place but generally, most of them require a registration sticker, safety gear and submission of the allotted membership fee before letting you enter.
On the other hand, every amateur dirt biker is advised to practice in places with minimum to no obstacles present in sight. Newbie riders are best suited to practise in their backyard or local street trail and must always avoid riding in a public motocross track.
Where can you ride a dirt bike in the USA?
Just like in most places, it is illegal to ride a dirt bike in public spaces, sidewalks or local neighbourhoods of the United States of America. Despite this, some states have specific laws regulating the use of dirt and dual sports bikes in certain cases.
For example, Colorado allows you to travel with a dirt bike in case of emergency or agricultural purposes. Similarly, Florida permits every individual above the age of 16,holding appropriate license and other documentation to use a dirt bike on public streets. On the other hand, every registered DOT approved bike, having adequate lights and turning signals is permitted in the state of Illinois.
Based on this, it is evident that while the majority of states condemn the use of dirt bikes in public places, there are definitely some exceptions present. Always study about these laws in detail and determine the exact credentials, license and type of dirt bike you can ride legally in any specific street.
What happens if you illegally ride a dirt bike?
If you feel daring enough to think that you might escape the fine of dirt biking in restricted areas then let us stop you right there. Riding a dirt bike in local streets and neighbourhoods will definitely result in severe consequences and heavy citations. In special instances, your bike may even be impounded and you will have to pay an additional fee, apart from the charged fine, to get it back.
What license do you need to ride a dirt bike?
Although there is no specific license for dirt bikes, you must have a motorcycle endorsement to use your dual sport or dirt bike. As far as the vehicle license is concerned, some states only allow DOT approved dirt bikes on the road , meanwhile others have a complete checklist containing every mandatory part that makes your bike legal and safe when in use.
Conclusion
And with that being said, we have reached the end of our article about are dirt bikes street legal in the USA or not. We hope our comprehensive guide helped you learn about the regulations when dirt biking in the US and ultimately add to the quality, fun and safety of your dirt biking skills.
