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.