Minnesota's Licensing Demonstration Grant

In 1994, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety, received a grant from the NHTSA in response to a motorcycle safety Request for Proposal seeking projects to improve motorcycle operator licensing. The goal of the Enhanced Motorcycle Licensing Project, is to increase the number of new motorcycle endorsements and to reduce the number of improperly licensed or unendorsed motorcycle operators in crashes.

Minnesota's project includes three basic tasks:

1. implement extended exam station hours;
2. provide motorcycles for the on-cycle license test; and
3. provide media materials and support for the extended testing hours.

NHTSA extended the grant allowing Minnesota to add two additional activities:

1. produce an informational videotape about the motorcycle licensing process; and
2. produce a manual which provides guidance to other state programs in establishing an extended motorcycle licensing testing program (this document).

Minnesota's Enhanced Motorcycle Licensing Project addresses one of the major obstacles so frequently identified by motorcyclists avoiding the licensing system: inconvenience.

In most states, the relatively low number of motorcyclists being tested results in limited testing opportunities. In many states motorcycle testing is scheduled on a restricted basis - weekly or monthly, and in many cases during weekdays. This project provides a schedule that daytime working applicants find more convenient.

As with other vehicle applicants, motorcyclists must bring their own vehicle to be used for the test. Many motorcyclists, having safety in mind, seek proper licensure before purchasing a motorcycle, so securing a motorcycle for the test is a unique problem. This project resolves the inconvenience issue by making small (typically 350cc and under) motorcycles available for the test, although applicants are still free to bring their own motorcycle.