MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR LICENSING
Motorcycle operator licensing is another major component to a comprehensive motorcycle safety program. By obtaining a specialized motorcycle license, a motorcyclist demonstrates the minimum ability to safely operate a motorcycle on the roadway. All 50 States require a motorcycle operator to obtain a license or endorsement to operate such a vehicle. Nearly one out of four motorcycle operators (27 percent) involved in fatal crashes in 2001 was not properly licensed (Improperly licensed defined as not licensed to operate a motorcycle, or a license suspended, revoked, expired, canceled or denied). Motorcycle operators involved in fatal traffic crashes were more than 1.4 times as likely as passenger vehicle drivers to have a previous license suspension or revocation (18 percent and 13 percent, respectively). NHTSA will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to enforce licensing laws, and with motorcycling organizations to increase the number of properly licensed motorcyclists.
NHTSA’s Motorcycle Operator Licensing Program:
Examine
State Licensing Programs. As part of the rider education and training
study discussed earlier, NHTSA is examining licensing practices in each
State and the relationship between the rider education and training
program and a State’s licensing practices. To the extent possible, NHTSA
will encourage State licensing programs to work in concert with rider
education and training programs to issue an operator license, as appropriate,
upon successful completion of a rider-training course. Targeted completion
date – September 2004