BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to motorcycle endorsements and instruction permits; and amending RCW 46.20.100, 46.20.500, 46.20.505, 46.20.510, and 46.20.515.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 46.20.100 and 1990 c 250 s 36 are each amended to read as follows:

The department of licensing shall not consider an application of any minor under the age of eighteen years for a driver's license or the issuance of a motorcycle endorsement ((~~for a particular category~~)) unless:

(1) The application is also signed by a parent or guardian having the custody of such minor, or in the event a minor under the age of eighteen has no father, mother, or guardian, then a driver's license shall not be issued to the minor unless his or her application is also signed by the minor's employer; and

(2) The applicant has satisfactorily completed a traffic safety education course as defined in RCW 28A.220.020, conducted by a recognized secondary school, that meets the standards established by the office of the state superintendent of public instruction or the applicant has satisfactorily completed a traffic safety education course, conducted by a commercial driving instruction enterprise, that meets the standards established by the office of the superintendent of public instruction and is officially approved by that office on an annual basis: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That the director may upon a showing that an applicant was unable to take or complete a driver education course waive that requirement if the applicant shows to the satisfaction of the department that a need exists for the applicant to operate a motor vehicle and he or she has the ability to operate a motor vehicle in such a manner as not to jeopardize the safety of persons or property, under rules to be promulgated by the department in concert with the supervisor of the traffic safety education section, office of the superintendent of public instruction. For a person under the age of eighteen years to obtain a motorcycle endorsement, he or she must successfully complete a motorcycle safety education course that meets the standards established by the department of licensing.

The department may waive any education requirement under this subsection for an applicant previously licensed to drive a motor vehicle or motorcycle outside this state if the applicant provides proof satisfactory to the department that he or she has had education equivalent to that required under this subsection.

Sec. 2. RCW 46.20.500 and 1997 c 328 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

No person may drive a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle unless such person has a valid driver's license specially endorsed by the director to enable the holder to drive such vehicles((~~, nor may a person drive a motorcycle of a larger engine displacement than that authorized by such special endorsement or by an instruction permit for such category~~)). However, a person sixteen years of age or older, holding a valid driver's license of any class issued by the state of the person's residence, may operate a moped without taking any special examination for the operation of a moped. No driver's license is required for operation of an electric-assisted bicycle if the operator is at least sixteen years of age. Persons under sixteen years of age may not operate an electric-assisted bicycle.

Sec. 3. RCW 46.20.505 and 1993 c 115 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

Every person applying for a special endorsement ((~~or a new category of endorsement~~)) of a driver's license authorizing such person to drive a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle shall pay an examination fee of two dollars which is not refundable. In addition, the endorsement fee for the initial ((~~or new category~~)) motorcycle endorsement shall be six dollars, and the subsequent renewal endorsement fee shall be fourteen dollars. The initial ((~~or new category~~)) and renewal endorsement fees shall be deposited in the motorcycle safety education account of the highway safety fund.

Sec. 4. RCW 46.20.510 and 1989 c 337 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

(((1) There shall be three categories for the special motorcycle endorsement of a driver's license. Category one shall be for motorcycles or motor-driven cycles having an engine displacement of one hundred fifty cubic centimeters or less. Category two shall be for motorcycles having an engine displacement of five hundred cubic centimeters or less. Category three shall include categories one and two, and shall be for motorcycles having an engine displacement of five hundred one cubic centimeters or more.

~~(2)~~)) The department may issue a motorcyclist's instruction permit to an individual who wishes to learn to ride a motorcycle ((~~or obtain an endorsement of a larger endorsement category~~)) for a period not to exceed ninety days. This motorcyclist's instruction permit may be renewed for an additional ninety days. The director shall collect a two dollar and fifty cent fee for the motorcyclist's instruction permit or renewal, and the fee shall be deposited in the motorcycle safety education account of the highway safety fund. This permit and a valid driver's license ((~~with current endorsement, if any, shall~~)) must be carried when operating a motorcycle. An individual with a motorcyclist's instruction permit may not carry passengers, and may not operate a motorcycle during the hours of darkness ((or on a fully-controlled, limited-access facility, and shall be under the direct visual supervision of a person with a motorcycle endorsement of the appropriate category and at least five years' riding experience)).

Sec. 5. RCW 46.20.515 and 1982 c 77 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The motorcycle endorsement examination ((~~for each displacement category shall~~)) must emphasize maneuvers necessary for on-street operation, including emergency braking and turning as may be required to avoid an impending collision.