GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2009

S                                                                                                                                                     1

SENATE BILL 64

Short Title:        Motorcycle Learner's Permit.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Senators Brown and Rand.
Referred to:	Judiciary I.

February 5, 2009

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to shorten the duration and amend the requirements for a motorcycle learner's permit, and clarify the requirements for obtaining a motorcycle endorsement.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 20‑7(a1) reads as rewritten:

"(a1)     Motorcycles and Mopeds. – To drive a motorcycle, a person shall have:have one of the following:

(1)        A full provisional license with a motorcycle learner's permit; permit.

(2)        A regular drivers license with a motorcycle learner's permit; or permit.

(3)        Either:

a.         A full provisional license; or license with a motorcycle endorsement.

b.

(4)        A regular drivers license, with a motorcycle endorsement.

To obtain a motorcycle endorsement, a person shall demonstrate competence to drive a motorcycle by passing a riding skills test administered by the Division or by providing proof of successful completion of the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program Basic Rider Course or Experienced Rider Course. The person shall pay the fee set in subsection (i) of this section for a motorcycle endorsement. Subsection (a2) of this section sets forth the requirements for a motorcycle learner's permit.

To obtain a motorcycle endorsement, a person shall demonstrate competence to drive a motorcycle by:

(1) Passing a road test;

(2) Passing a written or oral test concerning motorcycles; and

(3) Paying the fee for a motorcycle endorsement.

Neither a drivers license nor a motorcycle endorsement is required to drive a moped."

SECTION 2.  G.S. 20‑7(a2) reads as rewritten:

"(a2)     Motorcycle Learner's Permit. – The following persons are eligible for a motorcycle learner's permit:

(1)        A person who is at least 16 years old but less than 18 years old and has a full provisional license issued by the Division.

(2)        A person who is at least 18 years old and has a license issued by the Division.

To obtain a motorcycle learner's permit, an applicant shall pass a vision test, a road sign test, and a written test specified by the Division. An applicant who is less than 18 years old, or any applicant who has held a valid drivers license for less than two years, shall successfully complete the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program Basic Rider Course. A motorcycle learner's permit expires 18 months six months after it is issued. issued and may be renewed for one additional six‑month period. The holder of a motorcycle learner's permit may not drive a motorcycle with a passenger. The fee for a motorcycle learner's permit is the amount set in G.S. 20‑7(l) for a learner's permit."

SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2009.