SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5442

                        AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 8, 1991

Brief Description:  Changing motorcycle instruction permit restrictions.

SPONSORS:Senator Moore.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Erwin, Madsen, McMullen, Oke, Sellar, Skratek, Snyder, and Vognild. 

Staff:  David Williams (786‑7305)

Hearing Dates:February 26, 1991

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 are issued for 90 days to individuals who have satisfactorily completed a motorcycle rider course approved by the Department of Licensing.  This permit 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.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

Individuals operating a motorcycle with an instruction permit are required to be under the supervision of an experienced motorcyclist with a driver's license endorsement of the appropriate category.