BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1952
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 12, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AB 1952 (Niello) - As Introduced: February 17, 2010
SUBJECT : Motor vehicle instruction permits: motorcycles
SUMMARY : Requires on-the-bike training for minors before they
can legally operate a motorcycle with an instruction permit.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Strikes provisions allowing a minor to operate a motorcycle
having only obtained an instruction permit.
2)Requires a minor, prior to being allowed to operate a
motorcycle, to obtain an instruction permit, complete both
driver education and driver training courses (or have a valid
driver's license), complete a motorcycle safety training
program, and obtain a motorcycle license or endorsement.
EXISTING LAW :
3)Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue an
instruction permit to a mentally and physically qualified
person who is:
a) Fifteen and a half years old and has successfully
completed an approved driver education course and a driver
training course;
b) Fifteen and a half years old and has successfully
completed an approved driver education course and is taking
a driver training course;
c) Fifteen and a half years old and is enrolled and
participating in an integrated driver education and
training program;
d) Is over 16 years old and applying for a restricted
driver's license; or,
e) Is over 17 and a half years old.
4)Provides that an instruction permit entitles the applicant to
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operate a vehicle, with certain limitations.
5)Authorizes a person, 15 and half years old and who has
successfully completed approved courses in automobile
education and training, to operate a motorcycle having only an
instruction permit and only under certain conditions (such as,
during daylight hours, without a passenger (except a license
instructor), and not on a freeway).
6)Does not prohibit a minor, having received an instruction
permit, from operating a motorcycle prior to successfully
completing a motorcycle skills course.
7)Establishes a motorcyclist safety program within the
Department of the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown but probably minor costs to DMV to
update the driver handbook.
COMMENTS : The author has introduced AB 1952 following the death
of a young constituent. The young man had obtained his
instruction permit but had not yet taken the motorcycle safety
training course. On the first day out with his new motorcycle,
he was killed in an accident in front of his house. The author
has introduced this bill to change the motorcycle permitting and
licensure process to ensure minors cannot legally ride a
motorcycle without having taken the on-the-bike safety training
course.
A motorcycle requires more skill and coordination to operate
than a car, and provides little or no protection when involved
in a collision. This additional training could potentially
reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities among minors.
The California Motorcycle Safety Program (CMSP) is a
motorcyclist-funded, state-operated program administered by the
Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) under contract with the
California Highway Patrol (CHP). The basic rider course is
designed for beginning riders and provides five hours of
classroom instruction and ten hours of practical riding
exercises in a controlled, off-street environment-typically, a
paved parking lot. Motorcycles and helmets are provided free of
charge during the course.
In the classroom, students learn about the different types of
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motorcycles, layout and operation of the basic controls, and how
to become a safer, more responsible rider. They review
different types of safety gear worn for protection and comfort
and find out how alcohol and other drugs impair one's ability to
ride safely. Following the classroom session, student rider's
start with straight-line riding, stopping, shifting, and turning
then gradually progress to swerving and emergency braking. The
course concludes with a knowledge test and a riding skill
evaluation.
There are currently 129 locations throughout the state that
offer basic rider training courses through the CHP's motorcycle
safety training program. The basic rider course costs between
$150 and $250.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
California Motorcycle Dealers Association
Sawyer Cole
Michael Kelleher
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Janet Dawson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093