FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6282

C 197 L 02

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Allowing private motorcycle skills courses.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Horn, Haugen, B. Sheldon, Costa, Morton, Honeyford, Hale, Stevens, Finkbeiner and Oke).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background:  In 1982, legislation passed requiring the Department of Licensing to create a voluntary motorcycle operator training and education program to provide public awareness of motorcycle safety and to provide classroom and on-cycle training.

The department may waive all or a portion of the motorcycle endorsement examination for people who satisfactorily complete the motorcycle operator training and education program.

Summary:  The Department of Licensing may enter into agreements to review and certify that a private motorcycle skills education course meets educational standards equivalent to those required of courses conducted under the motorcycle skills education program.  The department may conduct periodic audits to ensure that the educational standards meet those for courses conducted under the motorcycle skills education program at the cost of the private party seeking certification.

The Department of Licensing may waive all or part of the motorcycle endorsement examination for persons who satisfactorily complete a private motorcycle skills education course that has been certified by the department.

Only Washington State residents and military personnel stationed in Washington can participate in the motorcycle skills education course provided by the Department of Licensing.

Persons taking the motorcycle safety education class offered by the Department of Licensing must pay no more than $100 and persons under the age of 18 must pay no more than $50.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate450

House930

Effective:  June 13, 2002