Just got this in an email from a buddy of mine:
FIRST PERSON/OPINION
Via e-mail:
A PSA for motorcyclists attending Bikeweek at Daytona.
In October, 2008, Florida Legislature passed a couple new laws that out-of-state riders might be interested to know about to be prepared for riding in Florida. The first is the new penalty for a motorcycle or moped with a wheel that loses contact with the road (i.e. wheelie/stoppie) is $1,141.00. The second infraction of this traffic code costs more than double that amount. For the third infraction I would recommend relocating to another state, and possibly learning some common sense.
Most shocking though is the non-moving infraction for having an improperly mounted license plate. The plate must be at least 18" above the ground, be centrally located, be mounted horizontally, not vertically, be rigidly mounted, and be clearly visible from any angle behind the motorcycle. This means that plates mounted forward of the rear wheel, or on either side of the motorcycle, are in violation of the law. Basically, the plate needs to be in its original location. Also, if a plate is mounted on a pivoting hanger it is in violation of this vehicle code. The first time violation of this code is a fine of $1,141.00. The second infraction costs $2,500.00, the third costs $5,000 and loss of motorcycle license endorsement for 10 years.
I found this out nearly the hard way today. Fortunately for me, the Palm Beach County Sheriff who stopped me for my improperly mounted plate is a motorcyclist and is sensitive to providing lead time for riders and drivers to modify their behavior for new laws. I was issued a warning. Not all Florida law enforcement officers are as thoughtful of your finances as this officer is.
The fine in Florida for not wearing a helmet is $0. There is no helmet law in Florida. I was wearing a full-face helmet when I was stopped.
Peter Jones
Wellington, Florida
So I called the Daytona police department and asked about the above mentioned law. I was told that if you are from out of town and have your license plate correctly mounted per the laws of your state that they will not go after you... but if you are a Florida state resident, look out. The lady I talked to seemed to be pretty serious about the license plate being centered on the back of the bike as well.
I'm kind of at a loss as to how to mount my plate according to the law and asked her what I should do if my bike was not designed to mount a plate in that manner... she said it didn't matter, I had to figure out some way to make my bike comply to law.
I asked what it was that predicated the need for such strict laws for motorcycle license plates and she had no idea... "It's just the law!"
Cheers,
Claude
FIRST PERSON/OPINION
Via e-mail:
A PSA for motorcyclists attending Bikeweek at Daytona.
In October, 2008, Florida Legislature passed a couple new laws that out-of-state riders might be interested to know about to be prepared for riding in Florida. The first is the new penalty for a motorcycle or moped with a wheel that loses contact with the road (i.e. wheelie/stoppie) is $1,141.00. The second infraction of this traffic code costs more than double that amount. For the third infraction I would recommend relocating to another state, and possibly learning some common sense.
Most shocking though is the non-moving infraction for having an improperly mounted license plate. The plate must be at least 18" above the ground, be centrally located, be mounted horizontally, not vertically, be rigidly mounted, and be clearly visible from any angle behind the motorcycle. This means that plates mounted forward of the rear wheel, or on either side of the motorcycle, are in violation of the law. Basically, the plate needs to be in its original location. Also, if a plate is mounted on a pivoting hanger it is in violation of this vehicle code. The first time violation of this code is a fine of $1,141.00. The second infraction costs $2,500.00, the third costs $5,000 and loss of motorcycle license endorsement for 10 years.
I found this out nearly the hard way today. Fortunately for me, the Palm Beach County Sheriff who stopped me for my improperly mounted plate is a motorcyclist and is sensitive to providing lead time for riders and drivers to modify their behavior for new laws. I was issued a warning. Not all Florida law enforcement officers are as thoughtful of your finances as this officer is.
The fine in Florida for not wearing a helmet is $0. There is no helmet law in Florida. I was wearing a full-face helmet when I was stopped.
Peter Jones
Wellington, Florida
So I called the Daytona police department and asked about the above mentioned law. I was told that if you are from out of town and have your license plate correctly mounted per the laws of your state that they will not go after you... but if you are a Florida state resident, look out. The lady I talked to seemed to be pretty serious about the license plate being centered on the back of the bike as well.
I'm kind of at a loss as to how to mount my plate according to the law and asked her what I should do if my bike was not designed to mount a plate in that manner... she said it didn't matter, I had to figure out some way to make my bike comply to law.
I asked what it was that predicated the need for such strict laws for motorcycle license plates and she had no idea... "It's just the law!"
Cheers,
Claude
