HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5442

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to motorcycle permit restrictions.

Brief Description:  Changing motorcycle instruction permit restrictions.

Sponsor(s):  Senator Moore.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, March 28, 1991, DP;

Passed House, April 11, 1991, 91-0;

Passed Legislature, 91-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 23 members:  Representatives R. Meyers, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Ranking Minority Member; Chandler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Cantwell; Day; G. Fisher; Forner; Haugen; Horn; P. Johnson; R. Johnson; Jones; Kremen; Mitchell; Nelson; Orr; Prentice; Prince; Schmidt; Wilson; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  David Williams (786-7305).

Background:  The 1989 Legislature designated three categories of special motorcycle endorsements for a driver's license.  These include motorcycles having an engine displacement of 150 cubic centimeters (CCs) or less, 500 CCs or less, or 501 CCs or more.

In addition, individuals with a motorcyclist's instruction permit operating a motorcycle are required to be under the direct supervision of a person with a motorcycle endorsement of the appropriate category who has at least five years' experience.  Users of motorcycle permits have argued that this requirement makes a motorcycle instruction permit virtually impractical due to the inability to locate a motorcyclist with five years' experience.

Four thousand instruction permits are distributed each year.  From 1986 through 1989 there were three fatal accidents involving an individual with an instruction permit operating a motorcycle.

Summary of Bill:  The Department of Licensing may issue a motorcycle instruction permit for a period not to exceed 90 days to an individual who has successfully completed a motorcycle rider course or is seeking a higher category of endorsement.  The bill repeals the current requirement that a person with a motorcycle instruction permit be accompanied by a person with a motorcycle endorsement of the appropriate category who has at least five years of riding experience.

The instruction permit, along with a valid driver's license, is required when operating a motorcycle.  An individual with an instruction permit may not carry passengers, or operate a motorcycle at night on a fully-controlled, limited access facility.  An individual operating a motorcycle with an instruction permit is required to be under the supervision of an experienced motorcyclist with a drivers' license endorsement of the appropriate category.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  It is too difficult for motorcyclists to find individuals with five years of motorcycle riding experience.  By requiring that a motorcycle rider course be taken before obtaining a permit, it ensures that the individual has the skills necessary to operate a motorcycle.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Don Mapp, Department of Licensing.