Introduction

While posting a significant 32 percent reduction in the number of deaths this decade (2,221 motorcyclists died in 1995 compared to 3,244 in 1990) motorcyclists are still over-represented in the context of all vehicle crashes. Comprising only two percent of the nation’s registered vehicles, motorcycles account for six percent of all traffic fatalities.

Motorcycling is a unique mode of transportation because of its seasonal nature in much of the nation and the recreational appeal it has to its users. Due to these unique characteristics, annual motorcycle mileage is usually far below that of other motor vehicle types. This fact magnifies the concern for the over-representation of motorcycle operators in the overall crash picture.

Motorcyclist testing and licensing, a component of a comprehensive motorcycle safety program, has long been viewed as a positive countermeasure which may provide long-term, cost-effective crash reduction. However, lack of operator participation in the licensing process has been a constant concern.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 1997 manual, Motorcycle Operator Licensing System - Guidelines for Motor Vehicle Administrators, studies indicate that approximately 20 percent of the national motorcyclist population are either unlicensed or improperly licensed. Even more troubling is the fact that more than 40 percent of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes are not properly licensed. These same studies show the problem to be much worse in some states, where the percentage of improperly licensed motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes is as high as 80 percent.

Lack of operator participation in the licensing system is due to such factors as:

· perception of the tests’ inability to discriminate between adequate and inadequate levels of skill and knowledge;

· inconvenience imposed by testing requirements;

· ability to bypass the testing process by becoming a "perpetual permit holder";

· lack of respect for license examiner knowledge of motorcycling; and

· perceived low risk of getting caught improperly licensed.