Georgia Motorcycle Laws: Helmets, Lane Splitting and Fault

Georgia has one of the strictest helmet rules in the country and a fault rule that can end a claim at exactly 50%. This guide explains the main Georgia motorcycle laws and what they mean if you are hurt in a crash, with links to sources so you can check each point yourself.

Georgia motorcycle rules of the road

Licensing

Georgia requires a driver license with a motorcycle ("M") endorsement to operate a motorcycle on public roads. The endorsement is not required for engines that do not exceed 50 cubic centimeters or that cannot exceed 30 miles per hour.

Helmets

Under O.C.G.A. section 40-6-315, every person operating or riding on a motorcycle in Georgia must wear protective headgear that meets the standards set by the Commissioner of Public Safety. The law applies to riders and passengers of every age, and a helmet that does not meet the standard is treated like no helmet at all.

Eye protection

Section 40-6-315(b) says no one may operate or ride on a motorcycle that has no windshield unless wearing an eye-protective device of an approved type. A full-face helmet with a visor can satisfy both rules.

Lane splitting

Lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal in Georgia. O.C.G.A. section 40-6-312 says that no person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles. The same section allows two motorcycles to ride side by side in a single lane. Insurers often argue that a rider who was lane splitting is mostly or entirely at fault, so this rule can affect a claim.

Insurance

Georgia requires motorcycle owners to carry liability insurance of at least $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. Those limits can be small compared with a serious motorcycle injury, so check your own policy for uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.

Georgia motorcycle accident law

The deadline to file is 2 years

Under O.C.G.A. section 9-3-33, personal injury actions generally must be brought within 2 years from the date of the injury. Property damage claims have a longer deadline of 4 years.

The 50% fault bar

Under O.C.G.A. section 51-12-33(g), a plaintiff who is 50% or more responsible for the harm is not entitled to receive any damages. Below 50%, your damages are reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.

• 20% at fault: you can recover, reduced by 20%.
• 49% at fault: you can still recover, reduced by 49%.
• 50% at fault: recovery is barred.

As an illustration only, if damages are valued at $100,000 and a jury assigns you 20% of the fault, your recovery would be reduced to $80,000.

Proving medical expenses after 2025

Georgia's 2025 tort reform law, Senate Bill 68, signed on April 21, 2025, changed how medical expenses are proven in injury cases, including motorcycle cases. For injuries on or after that date, a jury can generally hear evidence of what was actually paid or owed for treatment, not only the amount billed, under O.C.G.A. section 51-12-1.1. Keep itemized bills, insurance explanations and records.

Helmets and your claim

Because Georgia has a universal helmet law, a rider without an approved helmet may face a fault argument from the other side. Keep your helmet and eyewear after a crash and ask a lawyer how these arguments would be handled in your case.

What to do after a motorcycle crash in Georgia

• Get medical care promptly and describe every symptom, even ones that seem minor.
• Photograph the scene, your bike, your gear and your injuries.
• Save camera footage from a helmet cam, a dash cam or nearby businesses.
• Keep your helmet, eyewear, jacket and damaged gear instead of throwing them away.
• Collect witness names and ask for the police report number.
• Do not discuss fault with the other driver's insurer until you have spoken with a lawyer.
• Write down your deadlines, including the 6-month city notice if a municipality may be involved.

When to talk to a lawyer

A free consultation can help you understand your deadlines, your insurance options and how the 50% bar may be argued. If you decide to hire someone, confirm that the lawyer is licensed in Georgia, ask for the fee agreement in writing and understand how case expenses are handled before you sign.

Frequently asked questions