MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSES H.B. 4854:
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 4854 (as passed by the House)
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.
The Code outlines the requirements for an individual to receive an original motorcycle endorsement on an operator's or chauffeur's license, including any required testing. 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 as provided in Section 811a or 811b. Before a person who is 18 years of age or older 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. However, if that individual fails the examination two or more times, he or she is required to successfully complete a motorcycle safety course as provided in Section 811a or 811b. The motorcycle driving skills test requirement is waived for an applicant who has successfully completed a motorcycle safety course conducted by a school or business enterprise as provided in Section 811a or 811b.
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 as described in Sections 811a and 811b. Additionally, the bill would require waiver of the requirement of a written knowledge test, road sign test, and motorcycle driving skills test for an applicant who was 18 years of age or older and had successfully completed a motorcycle safety course approved by the Department of State as described in Sections 811a and 811b.
(Section 811a governs motorcycle safety courses conducted by a college or university, intermediate school district, local school district, law enforcement agency, or other governmental agency. Under this section, the Secretary of State is responsible for the establishment and administration of motorcycle safety courses and must promulgate rules regarding teacher qualifications, reimbursement procedures, the establishment of courses, and other requirements.
Section 811b allows motorcycle safety courses to be offered by private business enterprises, and requires the Secretary of State to promulgate rules providing standards for the establishment and regulation of these courses.
Both sections provide that an eight-hour motorcycle safety course that meets the standards established by the Secretary of State may be offered to an applicant who has passed a motorcycle operator skill test approved by the Secretary of State, and that successful completion of the course fulfills the waiver requirement for a motorcycle driving skills test.)
The bill would take effect 90 days after it was enacted.
MCL 257.309 & 257.312b Legislative Analyst: Drew Krogulecki
FISCAL IMPACT
State: The Department of State could realize minimal savings as a result of not administering some testing.
Local: The bill would have no fiscal impact on local government.
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.