S-1397

AN ACT Relating to requirements for operating a motorcycle on Washington highways; amending RCW 46.20.100, 46.20.500, 46.20.505, 46.20.510, 46.20.515, and 46.30.020; and adding a new section to chapter 82.12 RCW.

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~~)) a 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. The department may waive all or part of the examination for persons who satisfactorily complete the voluntary motorcycle operator training and education program authorized under RCW 46.20.520.

Sec. 6. RCW 46.30.020 and 1991 sp.s. c 25 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

(1)(a) No person may operate a motor vehicle subject to registration under chapter 46.16 RCW in this state unless the person is insured under a motor vehicle liability policy with liability limits of at least the amounts provided in RCW 46.29.090, is self-insured as provided in RCW 46.29.630, is covered by a certificate of deposit in conformance with RCW 46.29.550, or is covered by a liability bond of at least the amounts provided in RCW 46.29.090. Written proof of financial responsibility for motor vehicle operation must be provided on the request of a law enforcement officer in the format specified under RCW 46.30.030.

(b) A person who drives a motor vehicle that is required to be registered in another state that requires drivers and owners of vehicles in that state to maintain insurance or financial responsibility shall, when requested by a law enforcement officer, provide evidence of financial responsibility or insurance as is required by the laws of the state in which the vehicle is registered.

(c) When asked to do so by a law enforcement officer, failure to display an insurance identification card as specified under RCW 46.30.030 creates a presumption that the person does not have motor vehicle insurance.

(d) Failure to provide proof of motor vehicle insurance is a traffic infraction and is subject to penalties as set by the supreme court under RCW 46.63.110 or community service.

(2) If a person cited for a violation of subsection (1) of this section appears in person before the court and provides written evidence that at the time the person was cited, he or she was in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of subsection (1) of this section, the citation shall be dismissed. In lieu of personal appearance, a person cited for a violation of subsection (1) of this section may, before the date scheduled for the person's appearance before the court, submit by mail to the court written evidence that at the time the person was cited, he or she was in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of subsection (1) of this section, in which case the citation shall be dismissed without cost, except that the court may assess court administrative costs of twenty-five dollars at the time of dismissal.

(3) The provisions of this chapter shall not govern((:

~~(a)~~)) the operation of a motor vehicle registered under RCW 46.16.305(1), governed by RCW 46.16.020, or registered with the Washington utilities and transportation commission as common or contract carriers((;)), or

((~~(b)~~)) the operation of a ((~~motorcycle as defined in RCW 46.04.330, a~~)) motor-driven cycle as defined in RCW 46.04.332, or a moped as defined in RCW 46.04.304.

(4) RCW 46.29.490 shall not be deemed to govern all motor vehicle liability policies required by this chapter but only those certified for the purposes stated in chapter 46.29 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 82.12 RCW to read as follows:

This chapter does not apply to the use of motorcycles that are loaned to the department of licensing exclusively for purposes of providing motorcycle training under RCW 46.20.520, or to persons contracting with the department to provide such training.