Operating a motorcycle can be safe and fun when you act like a responsible rider!
The number of motorcycle riders (operators) who did not have a valid license and were involved in a fatal crash has increased by 89.6 percent over the past decade, from 665 in 1998 to 1,261 in 2007. In 2007, one out of four motorcycle operators (25%) involved in fatal crashes were riding their motorcycle with invalid licenses at the time of the crash, while only 13 percent of drivers of passenger vehicles in fatal crashes did not have valid licenses. In response to this increasing trend, the NHTSA entered into a cooperative agreement with AAMVA to examine the issue of motorcycle operator licensing and provide guidance to jurisdictional driver license agencies on the elements of a complete licensing system for motorcycle operators. The result of this collaboration is the development of the Guidelines for Motorcycle Operator Licensing, which is a combination and update of two previously published motorcycle operator licensing guideline documents, the Motorcycle Operator Licensing System (rev.1997) and Integrating Motorcycle Rider Education and Licensing (1993).
Motorcycle Helmet Use Up in 2011
Use of DOT-compoliant motorcycle helmets increased significantly to 66 percent in 2011, up from 54 percent in 2010, based on the National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS). The NOPUS is the only survey that provides nationwide probability-based observed data on helpmet use in the US and is conducted annually by the National Center for Statistics and Analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
This following documents contain information on standard motorcycle operator licensing systems; standards for entry level motorcycle riders; motorcycle safety initiatives and strategies to increase proper licensure among motorcyclists within a jurisdiction; a model Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system for new-entrant riders; and motorcycle rider education waiver programs and third party testing.
Licensing
To receive a motorcycle license with full privileges, most states require that maneuvers be performed as designed for single-track, two-wheeled motorcycles. On-cycle skill tests are not designed for sidecars or three-wheeled vehicles. Those vehicles maneuver differently than a two-wheeled motorcycle. It also requires special skills and a heightened sense of awareness about other road users, traffic, and environmental conditions and a personal strategy to manage potential problems. Take your time learning how to operate your motorcycle and get plenty of riding experience. Find an experienced and responsible motorcyclist to mentor your learning. This mentoring and riding experience will prepare you for handling today’s traffic environment and reduce the potential for a crash. All riders are encouraged [or required] to attend an entry-level rider education course which provides knowledge and hands-on-training before receiving a motorcycle operator’s license.
- Motorcycle Operator Manual
- Motorcycle Training and Verification
AAMVA works collaboratively with the State Motorcycle Safety Administrators Association and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation to encourage motorcycle safety by promoting and fostering the exchange of ideas and resources, rider education and training. To verify that an applicant has successfully completed motorcycle rider education, please call the appropriate state administrator. They can either verify, or direct you to someone else in their state that might have the applicable records. The following link will help you in selecting the desired state, and call or e mail the administrator: SMSA Members