Brief Description: Modifying motorcycle driver's license endorsement and education provisions.

Sponsors: Senators Swecker, Murray and Keiser; by request of Department of Licensing, Washington Traffic Safety Commission and Washington State Patrol.

Senate Committee on Transportation
House Committee on Transportation

Background: When applying for a special endorsement for a motorcycle, there is a $5 application fee which goes to the Highway Safety Account.

Washington residents under age 18 are required to take a driver training class in order to obtain a driver's license, except under very limited circumstances. Courses may be offered at both high schools and commercial driver training schools. The Superintendent of Public Instruction sets the basic course requirements for traffic safety education courses offered in high schools. The Driver's Instructors' Advisory Committee is required to create a basic minimum curriculum for courses offered at commercial driver training schools. Both the Superintendent and the Advisory Committee are required to include, among other things, information in driver education courses on the effects of alcohol and drug use on motor vehicle operators, the proper use of the left hand lane, and information on motorcycle awareness. The information on motorcycle awareness must be approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

In 1982, legislation passed requiring the Department of Licensing (DOL) 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. DOL may waive all or a portion of the motorcycle endorsement examination for people who satisfactorily complete the motorcycle operator training and education program. Persons taking the motorcycle safety education class offered by DOL must pay no more than $100 and persons under the age of 18 must pay no more than $50.

Summary: The $5 special endorsement fee is directed to the Motorcycle Safety Education Account.

The information on motorcycle awareness required to be provided in driver training courses must be approved by the Department of Licensing Director, rather than the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

The requirement that the DOL motorcycle safety education class encourage the use of radio- or intercom-equipped helmets is removed.

The maximum fee that may be charged to persons taking the motorcycle safety education class is increased to $125.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      48   0
House      97   0

Effective:   July 22, 2007