Page 6 - Martin Downs Bulletin - October '21

Page 6, Martin Downs

LoCaL Government

Martin County Property From The Martin County Tax Motorcycle Endorsement Explained
When do I need a motorcycle endorsement?
Appraiser Collector If you wish to be licensed to ride any two- or three-
wheel motor vehicles more than 50 cc. FS 322.03(4) and
Porting The Save Our Homes (SOH) Benefit For The Biker In You – Live To Ride 322.01(26) Getting Endorsed
What are the requirements to obtain a motorcycle
By Jenny Fields, CFA, By Ruth Pietruszewski, endorsement?
Martin County Property Martin County Tax Starting July 1, 2008, new motorcyclists must take and
Appraiser Collector pass the Basic Rider Course through the Florida Rider
By law, a homestead The services provided Trainer Program before they can have the motorcycle
exemption is not transferable by the Florida Department endorsement added to their license, per Section 322.12(5)
to your new home. If you of Highway Safety and (a), Florida Statutes.
move, you must file a new Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) • Hold at least a Class E driver license or complete the
application for your new touch lives of nearly every requirements for a Class E driver license. FS 322.12(5)
residence. However, you Floridian, and millions (a) [Exception: no automobile driving test is required if
can “move” the accumulated of visitors and part-time applying for a Motorcycle Only license. FS 322.12(5)
SOH benefit from one residents of our state. (a)]
homestead to another Ensuring safety on our • Complete a Florida Rider Training Program
homestead, anywhere in the roads and providing Motorcycle Rider Safety Course. FS 322.15(5)(a)
state of Florida. You have from Jan. 1 of the year you move, quality service to • Present the completion card to the driver’s license
until Jan. 1 three years later to re-apply for homestead and motorists, with ever office and no additional testing is required. FS 322.12(5)
retain the SOH benefit. This is known as changing standards, (b)
“portability.” rules and regulations, Learn To Ride
The examples provided show is an overwhelming challenge that all involved departments What are the requirements for the Florida Rider
standard calculations for upsizing and responsibly accept every day. With the commitment to Training Program basic Motorcycle Rider Safety
downsizing. provide highway safety through excellence in service, Course?
Please contact our office for your education and enforcement, we all continue educating drivers • You must be at least 15½ years old to enroll and you
actual portability estimate. on the path to a safer Florida. must hold at least a Learner’s Driver License to attend
Our state is a great place to ride motorcycles all year the basic motorcycle safety course. Courses are provided
round. Being properly licensed is required by law, so if the by certain educational institutions and/or privately-
FLHSMV records indicate the motorcycle is registered to owned companies. A list of schools is on the website
an owner that does not hold a motorcycle endorsement, the listed below; course length (classroom and on-cycle
owner may receive a letter from the state, and the owner is instruction) is about 18 hours including lunch/breaks.
at risk of having their motorcycle impounded if riding it. Schools provide motorcycles (helmets if available) and
A motorcycle rider without a motorcycle endorsement can student workbooks. Some schools also offer the eight-
result in a $500 fine, up to six month probation, or up to 60 hour Experienced Rider Course, which requires your
days in jail. Florida State requires a motorcycle endorsement motorcycle, protective equipment and a valid driver
or a “Motorcycle Only” license, to operate a two- or three- license with motorcycle endorsement. (Fees vary by
wheeled motorcycle over 50 cc. sponsor.)
Steps To Obtaining A Motorcycle Endorsement
1. You must hold at least a valid Class E driver’s license. Local Government on page 7
2. Complete the Basic Rider
Course (BRC) or Basic Rider Course
updated (BRCu) motorcycle safety
course with an authorized sponsor.
More information on courses and
locations can be found at flhsmv.gov/
FRTP.
3. After successfully passing the
Rider Course, you must obtain your
endorsement within one year.
4. Visit a driver’s license service
center and inform them that
you completed the course. Upon
providing proper identification and
L
L AVARGNA AW PLLC paying the required endorsement
fees, your license will be issued with
a motorcycle endorsement.
Keeping the roadway safe for all
. users is the responsibility of both
motorists and motorcyclists – everyone
. Wills and Trusts can do their part.
. Probate Information on courses and
Real Estate Closings
. Business Matters locations can be found at flhsmv.
gov/FRTP. We are all responsible for
keeping our roads safe!

ANTHONY LAVARGNA
ANTHONY LAVARGNA
Member of the Florida Bar
Licensed in the United States
District Court, Southern and
Middle Districts of Florida Aligned
with

Home • Auto • Boat • RV • Life
Flood • Business • Commercial

CARRIE LAVARGNA
CARRIE LAVARGNA
Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) Mary-Beth Zipsir
Board Certified
Real Estate Attorney Agent in Charge
REAL ESTATE
O: (772) 233-4444
We provide quality, personal legal services to individuals and
businesses in Martin and St. Lucie Counties and www.smartchoicepartnersfl.com
throughout the Treasure Coast.
1805 S. Kanner Highway, Stuart Financial Center, Stuart, FL 34994
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772 286 7521 It's our policy that you know yours
- REAL ESTATE PRACTICE TIP -

If you rent commercial o ce, retail, or warehouse space, Florida sales tax rate to use
commercial real property decreases to 5.7% on January 1, 2019. The local discretionary

sale surtax still applies. This decrease does not apply to parking or storage of motor
vehicles, docking or storage of boats or tie-down or storage of aircraft.