Is It Illegal to Do a Wheelie on a Motorcycle in California? Understanding the Law

Riding on one wheel might look effortless in your feed, but California law treats public-road stunts as dangerous driving.

No statute says “no wheelies” by name. Instead, officers commonly use reckless driving and exhibition of speed provisions to cite or arrest riders who lift the front wheel on public streets.

The Legal Definition of a Wheelie in California

A wheelie itself is not defined in the Vehicle Code.

What matters is how prosecutors fit the behavior into existing offenses.

Reckless driving. California Vehicle Code section 23103 makes it a crime to drive “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property,” on a highway or in an off-street parking facility. A first offense is a misdemeanor, punishable by county jail time and fines. A wheelie that shows disregard for safety, especially around traffic, commonly triggers this charge.

Exhibition of speed. California Vehicle Code section 23109 prohibits both speed contests and exhibitions of speed on a highway or in an off-street parking facility. Courts and California criminal jury instructions describe an exhibition of speed as accelerating or operating at a dangerous and unsafe speed to show off or make an impression. A solo wheelie can qualify if it appears to be performed for show.

Pro Tip: If an officer sees a front wheel rise while you accelerate past traffic or from a light, expect the incident to be framed as an exhibition of speed or reckless driving, not a simple speeding ticket.

Expert Insight: CALCRIM No. 2202 instructs jurors that an exhibition of speed involves driving at a dangerous and unsafe rate to show off or make an impression. That mental-state element is why videos, crowd reactions, and officer observations of “showing off” can become key evidence.

California Laws Regarding Motorcycle Stunts and Reckless Riding

Reckless driving is the catch-all. Under section 23103, prosecutors need to prove willful or wanton disregard for safety. Traffic density, visibility, lane position, road surface, and proximity to other road users all matter. A wheelie in “light, controlled” conditions can still be charged if it looks indifferent to safety.

Exhibition of speed as performance. Section 23109 applies when the act is done to show off. Burnouts, hard launches, and wheelies can all be charged, even without a second vehicle. The statute covers highways and public parking facilities.

The fundamental speed law still applies. Even without stunting, California’s basic speed law requires driving at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for conditions. If a wheelie coincides with unsafe speed, Vehicle Code section 22350 can be stacked with other counts.

Helmet compliance is mandatory. California Vehicle Code section 27803 requires compliant motorcycle helmets for all riders and passengers on public roads. A wheelie seen without a helmet compounds exposure because it adds a separate violation.

Lane splitting is legal, but not a license to stunt. California recognizes lane splitting when done safely and prudently. The California Highway Patrol publishes safety tips emphasizing small speed differentials and constant awareness. Combining lane splitting with any stunt significantly increases risk and potential charges.

Pro Tip: Lane splitting is a safety technique, not a performance move. Keep the speed differential low and never combine it with hard acceleration or a wheelie.

Expert Insight: Officers often rely on exhibition-of-speed charges because they fit a single rider’s stunt without proving a “race.” Jury instructions on “showing off” make social media clips and crowd-facing behavior especially significant.

Potential Penalties for Performing Wheelies on Public Roads

Reckless driving (Vehicle Code § 23103). A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by 5 to 90 days in county jail and a fine. Injury, property damage, or aggravating circumstances can increase exposure under related provisions. A reckless driving conviction also places two points on your record under the DMV’s Negligent Operator Treatment System.

Exhibition of speed (Vehicle Code § 23109). Prosecutors may file as an infraction or misdemeanor depending on the facts and your record. Consequences can include fines, community service, potential jail time on misdemeanor filings, and license repercussions.

DMV points and suspensions. The DMV assigns two points for reckless driving and certain convictions for excessive speed. Accumulating too many points within 12, 24, or 36 months can trigger negligent operator suspension proceedings. Insurers typically raise premiums after convictions involving points.

Pro Tip: Protect your record. Suppose cited, act before deadlines. In some cases, counsel can negotiate a reduction to a non-point offense or secure alternatives that avoid NOTS thresholds.

Expert Insight: Prosecutors sometimes reduce racing or DUI-related counts to exhibition of speed. That does not make it trivial. It still creates a criminal record and DMV points that affect employment, insurance, and future plea leverage.

The Risks Involved: Safety Concerns for Riders and Others on the Road

Disproportionate harm. National data consistently show that motorcyclists face a far higher fatality rate per mile traveled than passenger-vehicle occupants. Stunts amplify instability and reduce reaction options, especially around unpredictable traffic.

Visibility and stability. Motorcycles are more difficult for drivers to see and less stable than passenger vehicles when subjected to aggressive acceleration. Any maneuver that reduces front-wheel contact diminishes steering and braking control at precisely the moment when surface or traffic changes may demand them.

Helmet effectiveness. Universal helmet use is associated with substantial reductions in the risk of death and severe brain injury. A brief stunt attempt can become a high-energy impact if traction is lost when the front tire returns to the pavement or if the rider over-rotates.

Pro Tip: Choose closed-course practice days if you want to develop advanced control skills. Public roads add vehicles, pedestrians, debris, and surface hazards that make stunt attempts far less forgiving.

Expert Insight: Many single-vehicle motorcycle fatalities involve loss of control rather than multi-vehicle collisions. Removing the contact and traction of the front tire during a wheelie increases the chance that a small mistake becomes unrecoverable.

Alternatives to Performing Stunts: Safe Ways to Enjoy Riding in California

Enroll in professional training. The California Motorcyclist Safety Program offers courses statewide that build low-speed control, emergency braking, and hazard strategies. Skills days and track schools provide structured environments for advanced techniques under supervision.

Join supervised events. Track-day organizations and rider clubs run controlled practice with flaggers, coaching, corner workers, and medical staff. You get the thrill without endangering the public or risking a criminal record.

Upgrade protection. Wear a DOT-compliant full-face helmet, armored jacket and pants, gloves, and boots on every ride. Protective gear meaningfully reduces severe injury risk and helps you ride longer at a high skill level.

Pro Tip: If your goal is content creation, film on private property or rented facilities with the owner’s permission and appropriate insurance. Public road videos often supply prosecutors with evidence of “showing off.”

Expert Insight: Insurance carriers pay close attention to point-bearing violations. Keeping your record clean can matter as much for premiums as it does for licensing.

Short Takeaway and Actionable Steps

Wheelies on California public roads are usually charged under reckless driving or exhibition-of-speed laws. Convictions can bring criminal penalties, DMV points, insurance hikes, and license consequences. Safer alternatives exist through training and closed-course events.

What to do next

1. Keep stunts off public roads. Practice advanced control at track days or through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program.
2. Protect your record. If cited, consult a California traffic or criminal defense attorney promptly to understand defenses, reductions, and deadlines.
3. Upgrade safety habits. Wear a compliant helmet and full protective gear on every ride.
4. If your incident occurred at work or near a worksite and involved a fall or hazardous surface, related premises or workplace-injury rules may apply. Falls from rooftops may involve severe liability—contact our Panorama City roof fall attorneys.