S-3110.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6282

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington   57th Legislature        2002 Regular Session

By Senators Horn, Haugen, B. Sheldon, Costa, Morton, Honeyford, Hale, Stevens, Finkbeiner and Oke

Read first time 01/14/2002.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

Allowing private motorcycle skills courses.

    AN ACT Relating to motorcycle skills education; and amending RCW 46.20.515 and 46.81A.020.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 46.20.515 and 2001 c 104 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

    The motorcycle endorsement examination 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 or who satisfactorily complete a private motorcycle skills education course that has been certified by the department under RCW 46.81A.020.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 46.81A.020 and 1998 c 245 s 91 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The director shall administer and enforce the law pertaining to the motorcycle skills education program as set forth in this chapter.

    (2) The director may adopt and enforce reasonable rules that are consistent with this chapter.

    (3) The director shall revise the Washington motorcycle safety program to:

    (a) Institute a motorcycle skills education course for both novice and advanced motorcycle riders that is a minimum of eight hours and no more than sixteen hours at a cost of no more than fifty dollars for Washington state residents and military personnel stationed in Washington state;

    (b) Encourage the use of loaned or used motorcycles for use in the motorcycle skills education course if the instructor approves them;

    (c) Require all instructors to conduct at least three classes in a one-year period to maintain their teaching eligibility;

    (d) Encourage the use of radio or intercom equipped helmets when, in the opinion of the instructor, radio or intercom equipped helmets improve the quality of instruction.

    (4) The department 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.  An agreement entered into under this subsection must provide that the department may conduct periodic audits to ensure that educational standards continue to meet those required for courses conducted under the motorcycle skills education program, and that the costs of the review, certification, and audit process will be borne by the party seeking certification.

(5) The department shall obtain and compile information from applicants for a motorcycle endorsement regarding whether they have completed a state approved or certified motorcycle skills education course.

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