FINAL BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5442

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                             AS PASSED LEGISLATURE

Brief Description:  Changing motorcycle instruction permit restrictions.

SPONSORS:Senator Moore.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

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 operating a motorcycle with an instruction permit.

SUMMARY:

Motorcycle instruction permits may be issued to an individual who has satisfactorily completed a motorcycle instruction course approved by the Department of Licensing.  This permit and a valid driver's license are required when operating a motorcycle.  An individual operating a motorcycle with an instruction permit must be under the direct supervision of an experienced motorcyclist with a driver's license endorsement of the appropriate category, and may not carry passengers or operate a motorcycle at night.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate      44    0

House 91    0     (House amended)

Senate      37    1     (Senate concurred)

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