MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSES                                                                    H.B. 4854:

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                      REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4854 (as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Jim Tedder

House Committee:  Transportation and Infrastructure

Senate Committee:  Transportation

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to require the Secretary of State to waive the requirement of an exemption or a written knowledge test, road sign test, and driving skills test of an applicant for an original motorcycle endorsement if the person had successfully passed a motorcycle safety course.

Before a person who is younger than 18 years of age is issued an original motorcycle endorsement on an operator's or chauffeur's license, he or she must pass an examination as required by the Code and a motorcycle safety course. Before a person who is 18 or older is issued an original motorcycle endorsement on an operator's or chauffeur's license, he or she must pass an examination. If that individual fails the exam twice or more, he or she is required to successfully complete a motorcycle safety course. The motorcycle driving skills test requirement must be waived for an applicant who is 18 or older and has successfully completed a motorcycle safety course conducted by a school or business enterprise.

The bill would delete the requirement that a person who is younger than 18 pass an examination before being issued an original motorcycle endorsement on an operator's or chauffeur's license. Instead, he or she would be required to pass a motorcycle safety course approved by the Department of State. Additionally, the bill would require waiver of the requirement of a written knowledge test and road sign test, as well as a motorcycle driving skills test, for an applicant who was 18 or older and had successfully completed a motorcycle safety course approved by the Department.

The bill would take effect 90 days after it was enacted.

MCL 257.309 & 257.312b                                           Legislative Analyst:  Drew Krogulecki

FISCAL IMPACT

The Department of State could realize minimal savings as a result of not administering some testing.

The bill would have no fiscal impact on local government.

Date Completed:  2-2-16                                                     Fiscal Analyst:  Joe Carrasco

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.