FINAL BILL REPORT

ESSB 5229

C 41 L 03

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Separating training for two and three-wheeled motorcycles.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Haugen, Horn, B. Sheldon, Zarelli, Poulsen, Jacobsen, Mulliken, Hargrove, Roach, Rossi, Stevens, T. Sheldon and West).

Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: The motorcycle skills education program is a voluntary program operated by the Department of Licensing (DOL). DOL contracts with certified instructors who must teach a minimum of three classes per year to maintain their teaching eligibility. The program consists of two classes: one for advanced riders and one for novice riders. The cost of either class for riders under age 18 is no more than $50. The cost of either class for riders over age 18 and military personnel of any age is no more than $100. The classes do not include instruction on the operation of three-wheeled motorcycles.

Currently, DOL offers a two-wheeled motorcycle endorsement and the endorsement examination does not test for those skills and maneuvers unique to three-wheeled motorcycles.

Summary: A three-wheeled motorcycle special endorsement is established. Persons operating a three-wheeled motorcycle must obtain the special endorsement.

The examination for two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycle endorsements must be separate and must test the skills and maneuvers necessary to operate each type of motorcycle.

The department must establish separate novice and advanced motorcycle skills education courses for two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycles.

To maintain their teaching eligibility, three-wheeled motorcycle instructors must conduct at least one class per year.

The definition of a motorcycle, under the motorcycle skills education program, is modified to include motorized tricycles and side car equipped motorcycles.

This act is named the Monty Lish Memorial Act.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate       48   1

House       73  18

Effective: January 1, 2004