Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections - Motorcycle Operator Manual - Preface - Safety guidance for riders

Aug 26, 2026

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This preface explains why safe motorcycle operation in traffic requires special skills and knowledge. It presents a novice-focused manual designed to reduce crash risk by providing essential safe-driving information for use in motorcycle licensing programs. The text also describes the manual’s development through work involving NHTSA, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and multi-year studies of improved licensing procedures, and highlights updated revisions such as new safety research and expanded alcohol and drug information.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages68

Reading Time2 h 51 min

AccessFree to download

Preface

The Rider and the Motorcycle

Preparing to Ride

Wear the Right Gear

Helmet Use

Helmet Selection

Eye and Face Protection

Clothing

Know Your Motorcycle

Know Your Responsibilities

RIDE WITHIN YOUR ABILITIES

Basic Vehicle Control

Keeping Your Distance

SEE

Intersections

Increasing Conspicuity

Crash Avoidance

Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections Preface Operating a motorcycle safely in traffic requires special skills and knowledge. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has made this manual available to help novice motor‐ cyclists reduce their risk of having a crash. The manual conveys essential safe‐driving information and has been designed for use in safe‐driving information and has been designed for use in safe Licensing programs. While designed for the novice, all motorcyclists can benefit from the information this manual contains. The original “Motorcycle Operator Manual” was developed by the National Public Services Research Institute (NPSRI) under con‐ tract to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and within the terms of a cooperative agreement between NHTSA and Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The manual and related tests were used in a multi‐year study of improved motorcycle operator licensing procedures, conducted by the California Department of Motor Vehicles under contract to NHTSA. The purpose of this manual is to educate the reader to help avoid crashes while safely operating a motorcycle. For this edition, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation has up‐ dated and expanded the content of the original manual. These revisions reflect: • The latest finding of motorcycle‐ safety research • Comments and guidance provided by the motorcycling, licensing, and traffic‐safety communities. • Expanded alcohol and drug information. In promoting improved licensing programs, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation works closely with state licensing agencies. The Foundation has helped more than half the states in the nation adopt the “Motorcycle Operator Manual” for use in their licensing systems. Improved licensing, along with quality motorcycle rider education and increased public awareness, has the potential to reduce crashes. Staff at the Foundation are available to assist state, private and governmental agencies in efforts to improve motorcycle safety. - Tim Buche President, Motorcycle Safety Foundation Please do not contact printer for additional copies of this publication. You may obtain a copy from your nearest Office of Motor Vehicles. Visit our website at: [http://www.expresslane.org](http://www.expresslane.org) The Rider and the Motorcycle ................................................................................................................................................ 5 Preparing to Ride ................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Preparing to Ride ................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Wear the Right Gear ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 Helmet Use...................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Helmet Selection ............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Eye and Face Protection.................................................................................................................................................. 7 Clothing ........................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Know Your Motorcycle........................................................................................................................................................... 8 The Right Motorcycle for You ...................................................

FAQs

Who is the manual intended to help, and what is its main purpose?

The manual is designed to help novice motorcyclists reduce crash risk while safely operating a motorcycle. It also states that all riders can benefit from the safe-driving information.

How was the original Motorcycle Operator Manual developed?

The original manual was developed under contract and within cooperative agreement terms involving NHTSA, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and NPSRI. It drew on a multi-year study of improved motorcycle operator licensing procedures.

What kinds of updates were added for this edition?

This edition is updated and expanded with the latest findings in motorcycle-safety research, input from motorcycling and traffic-safety communities, and expanded alcohol and drug information.

Aug 26, 2026

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