HB576 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mac McCutcheon

Republican

Co-Sponsors

Mike BallAllen TreadawayAlan BootheApril WeaverWayne JohnsonPaul BeckmanMark TuggleAllen Farley

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Motor vehicles, motorcycles, Class M motorcycle license including restricted license to operate a motor-driven cycle, issuance by Public Safety Department, knowledge test required under certain conditions, skills test required for persons 17 and under after a certain date, Secs. 32-5A-240, 32-12-22 am'd.

Summary

The bill updates Alabama motorcycle licensing to require knowledge and skills testing, applies graduated-licensing rules to under-18 riders, and creates Class M licenses and motor-driven-cycle endorsements with specific test requirements.

What This Bill Does

It requires anyone who does not already have a Class M license or endorsement to pass a motorcycle knowledge test to obtain one. It extends the under-18 graduated licensing rules to riders of motorcycles or motor-driven cycles, including possible license suspensions for violations. Starting June 1, 2012, 16- and 17-year-olds must pass a skills test to obtain a Class M license/endorsement (including a license restricted to a motor-driven cycle), and younger applicants seeking a motor-driven-cycle-restricted license must also pass a skills test.

Who It Affects

• People who want to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle and do not currently hold a Class M license or endorsement must pass a knowledge test to get one.
• Riders under 18 who operate motorcycles or motor-driven cycles are subject to graduated-licensing rules, with additional testing requirements (skills test for 16-17-year-olds and for 17-year-olds or younger seeking motor-driven-cycle restrictions).

Key Provisions

• After the act's effective date, a Class M endorsement on a driver's license or a Class M motorcycle license is required to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, with a restricted license available for motor-driven cycles to 14+.
• Anyone without a Class M endorsement or license on the act's effective date must pass a motorcycle knowledge test to obtain the endorsement or license.
• The under-18 graduated licensing provisions apply to motorcycle/motor-driven-cycle operation, including potential license suspensions for violations.
• Effective June 1, 2012, a Class M motorcycle license or endorsement for 16-17 year-olds requires passing a skills test; a Class M license with a motor-driven-cycle restriction for 17-year-olds or younger also requires passing a skills test; a knowledge test is required for 14+ to obtain a restricted license.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles