Utah’s New Motorcycle Safety Laws: What Riders Need to Know in 2025

Every spring in Utah, the same ritual begins. The snow melts off the Wasatch, the roads clear, and motorcyclists roll their bikes out of storage for that first long ride. There’s a certain freedom in it — the hum of the engine, the wind, the open road.

But with that freedom comes risk, and Utah lawmakers have spent the past few years updating the rules to make motorcycling safer for everyone.

The 2025 legislative session brought several important changes to motorcycle safety laws — some that expand riders’ rights, and others that tighten responsibilities. For anyone who rides, teaches, or shares the road, understanding these updates isn’t optional. It could be the difference between a smooth ride and a legal nightmare.

A Season of Change for Utah Riders

Utah has always had a strong motorcycle community — from the St. George rallies to the mountain switchbacks of Big Cottonwood Canyon. But along with that passion has come an uncomfortable trend: rising crash numbers.

According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, motorcyclists made up less than 3% of registered vehicles in the state but accounted for nearly 15% of all traffic fatalities in 2024. Lawmakers took notice.

So in early 2025, Utah’s legislature passed a set of amendments to the state’s traffic and safety code aimed squarely at protecting riders. Some of these laws strengthen helmet requirements for younger riders, while others address lane filtering, visibility, and training standards.

Let’s break down what’s new — and what it means for you.

Expanded Helmet Requirements

Utah has long required helmets for riders under 21, but as of January 2025, that requirement now extends to anyone operating a motorcycle with less than two years of licensed experience.

In other words, even if you’re 35 years old and just bought your first bike, you’ll need to wear a helmet until you’ve had your motorcycle endorsement for two full years.

Lawmakers made this change after a review of crash data showed that new riders — regardless of age — were involved in a disproportionate number of serious head injuries.

It’s a smart move. Helmets reduce the risk of fatal head trauma by nearly 40%, and for new riders still learning to balance, brake, and corner safely, the margin for error is small.

Of course, at The Legal Beagle, we’ve represented clients who did everything right — helmets, safety courses, reflective gear — and still found themselves in danger because another driver didn’t see them. But those same precautions often make a difference in court, too, because juries see responsible riders as credible victims, not risk-takers.

Lane Filtering: What’s Changing and Why It Matters

Utah was one of the first states in the country to legalize lane filtering — allowing motorcycles to move between stopped vehicles at red lights. The law was designed to prevent rear-end collisions in slow traffic and to give motorcyclists a safe exit when surrounded by cars.

The new 2025 update clarifies and slightly expands that rule. Riders may now filter between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic traveling under 25 miles per hour, as long as the motorcycle’s speed stays below 15 mph during the maneuver.

The old version of the law was vague about “stopped” versus “slow-moving,” which led to confusion and inconsistent enforcement. Now, the limits are clear.

But here’s the catch: lane filtering is still prohibited in construction zones, school zones, and on roads with fewer than two lanes of same-direction traffic. And riders must always signal intent and yield to pedestrians or cyclists.

This is one of those laws that rewards caution. I’ve represented a few riders who were hit by drivers opening car doors during filtering — and while the law was technically on their side, the claims still got messy. One client in particular stands out.

A Client’s Story: The Park City Filter Collision

A few years ago, before the new clarification, I represented a man named Eric, a skilled rider who commuted daily from Heber to Park City. He was lane-filtering through stopped traffic on SR-224 when a driver abruptly opened her door to toss out a coffee cup. Eric clipped the edge of it and went down hard, breaking his wrist and two ribs.

It was a difficult case because the insurance adjuster initially argued that Eric had been “weaving” and that the law didn’t clearly allow filtering in slow-moving traffic. The police report didn’t help — even the responding officer was unsure about the interpretation at the time.

Fortunately, I was able to gather video footage from a nearby dashcam and use expert testimony to show that Eric had been traveling under 10 mph and following the spirit of the law. We settled for the full policy limit.

That experience is part of why I welcome the 2025 clarifications. Riders shouldn’t have to fight over vague wording when they’re following safe practices. The new law gives them the consistency they deserve.

Enhanced Motorcycle Training Standards

Another major update for 2025 is Utah’s overhaul of its motorcycle education and licensing requirements.

Beginning this year, all new riders seeking a motorcycle endorsement must complete a certified safety courseapproved by the Utah Department of Public Safety. Previously, riders could bypass the course with a skills test alone.

Now, every new endorsement applicant must receive hands-on training in braking, hazard avoidance, cornering, and emergency maneuvers.

This change came after years of data showing that trained riders were 30% less likely to be involved in a serious crash within their first year of riding.

The state has also expanded its network of training centers — a smart move, considering how many rural Utah riders previously had to travel hours to attend a class.

For parents of teenage riders, this means something else, too: more accountability. A formal training certificate now becomes part of the record when adding a minor to your insurance policy. That documentation can help if there’s ever an accident claim later on.

Motorcycle Equipment and Visibility

Another small but meaningful law that took effect this year requires daytime running lights or headlights whenever a motorcycle is operated, even in broad daylight.

The goal is simple — to make riders more visible to cars and trucks. Motorcycles already face what’s known as “conspicuity bias,” meaning drivers’ brains are less likely to register them in traffic because they’re smaller and less common.

I handled a case last summer involving a rider in West Jordan who was hit while making a left turn. The driver told police, “I never saw him.” That phrase appears in nearly half of motorcycle crash reports, and it’s not always an excuse — sometimes it’s the truth of human perception.

The new visibility rules aim to address that reality. Along with lights, the law encourages (though doesn’t yet require) reflective gear and contrasting colors during daytime operation.

For many riders, these small steps are the best insurance policy they’ll ever have.

Penalties and Enforcement

With these new safety rules come stiffer penalties for reckless behavior. Fines for lane filtering violations, unlicensed operation, or helmet noncompliance have doubled in 2025. Lawmakers hope this will push more riders toward education and compliance rather than punishment.

Still, the vast majority of Utah riders are conscientious and careful. The problem, more often than not, is the car that “didn’t see the bike” or turned left across its path.

When those crashes happen, insurance companies often try to use bias against riders — painting them as thrill-seekers or rule-breakers. That’s why following the law and documenting your safety measures matter. It’s not just about avoiding tickets; it’s about proving responsibility when someone else’s negligence causes harm.

What These Changes Mean for Utah Drivers, Too

These new laws aren’t just for riders. They’re also a reminder to Utah’s car and truck drivers that motorcycles have equal rights on the road.

The expanded lane-filtering rule means drivers should check mirrors and blind spots before opening doors or changing lanes, even in traffic jams. The helmet and visibility laws mean riders are easier to see — but only if motorists are looking.

The responsibility to share the road runs both ways. And when everyone understands the rules, accidents become less likely, and the ones that do happen are easier to resolve fairly.

The Road Ahead

Utah’s motorcycle laws have come a long way in just a few years. What used to be a patchwork of vague regulations is becoming a clearer, more balanced system — one that values both freedom and accountability.

As an attorney, I’ve seen too many cases where ambiguity made things harder for injured riders. These new rules give me better tools to protect clients and, hopefully, fewer reasons to meet them under tragic circumstances.

For riders, the takeaway is simple: stay informed. Take the safety course, keep your lights on, wear your helmet, and know your rights. For drivers, remember that motorcycles aren’t obstacles — they’re people with families, jobs, and lives to get home to.

If You’ve Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident

If you or someone you love was injured in a motorcycle accident in Utah, especially under these new 2025 laws, reach out for legal help right away. Even a small detail—like whether your helmet met state standards or if you were filtering correctly—can make a huge difference in how your claim is handled.

At The Legal Beagle, we’ve spent years standing up for Utah’s riders. We understand the bias they face, the injuries they suffer, and the legal hurdles that can stand between them and justice.

Call us today for a free consultation, or visit mylegalbeagle.com to schedule a case review. We’ll make sure your rights — and your ride — are protected.