HB212

ENROLLED, An Act,

Relating to the operation of motorcycles and motor-driven cycles; to amend Sections 32-5A-240 and 32-12-22, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide the license requirements for a Class M motorcycle designation on a regular driver's license and for a Class M motorcycle license; and to further provide the requirements for a license to operate a motor-driven cycle.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Sections 32-5A-240 and 32-12-22, Code of Alabama 1975, are amended to read as follows:

§32-5A-240.

"(a) Every Subject to subsection (b), each person operating a motorcycle shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under this chapter, except as to special regulations in this article and except as to those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.

"(b)(1) Each person operating a motorcycle on any public road, street, or highway in this state shall have successfully passed a motorcycle test designated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and shall have a motorcycle Class M displayed on his or her driver's license along with the regular class of the license or have been issued a Class M motorcycle license.

"(2) A person may also obtain the Class M license by successfully completing a written motorcycle test designated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency or by completing an Alabama Traffic Safety Center/Alabama Motorcycle Safety Program, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Basic Riders Course or Basic Rider Course II.

"(3) A person 17 years of age or younger operating a motorcycle shall be subject to the operating hours, exceptions, and suspensions provided in Section 32-6-7.2.

§32-12-22.

"Every person, except a person holding a driver's license issued under authority of Chapter 6 of this title, before operating any motor-driven cycle upon a public highway in this state, shall register it with the Director of Public Safety and procure an operator's license. Operators' licenses shall be issued under and be governed by the provisions of Chapter 6 of this title; except, that such a license shall be issued to any person 14 years of age and older if such a person can satisfy the Director of Public Safety or an examining officer that he or she is competent to operate a motor-driven cycle with safety to persons and to property. (a) A person operating a motor-driven cycle with a Class M motorcycle license with a motor-driven cycle restriction, a motorcycle Class M displayed on the person's regular license, or a Class M motorcycle license shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under Chapter 6 of this title, except as to special regulations in this article and those provisions of this chapter which by their nature can have no application.

"(b)(1) A Class M motorcycle license with a motor-driven cycle restriction shall be issued to any person 14 years and older if the person has passed a motorcycle knowledge test designated by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency or if the individual has successfully completed an Alabama Traffic Safety Center/Alabama Motorcycle Safety Program, Motorcycle Safety Foundation, Basic Riders Course.

"(2) A person 17 years of age or younger operating a motor-driven cycle shall be subject to the operating hours, exceptions, and suspensions provided in Section 32-6-7.2."

Section 2. This act does not apply to a person who has obtained a license to operate a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle prior to the effective date of this act.

Section 3. This act shall become effective January 1, 2016, following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Motor Vehicles

Motorcycles

Public Safety Department

Licenses and Licensing

Code Amended