HB212 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Phillip PettusRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Motorcycles, licensure of operators, testing and safety courses by Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and the Alabama Traffic Safety Center, for Class M designation and license; add'l requirements for minors, exceptions, Secs. 32-5A-240, 32-12-22 am'd.

Summary

HB212 creates Class M motorcycle licensing pathways, requires testing or safety-course completion, and expands licensing and registration for motor-driven cycles, with special rules for minors and a 2016 effective date.

What This Bill Does

For motorcycles, it requires riders to pass a designated motorcycle test and display a Class M designation on their license, or obtain a Class M license; it also allows obtaining Class M through a written test or safety courses such as ATSC/MSF Basic Riders. For motor-driven cycles, it requires registration with the Director of Public Safety and issuance of an operator's license (14 years old and up if competent); licenses can be Class M with restrictions or displayed on a regular license. Riders 17 or younger have operating-hour and suspension provisions, and minors must follow related rules. The act amends sections 32-5A-240 and 32-12-22 and becomes effective January 1, 2016, with an exemption for those who already held a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle license before the act.

Who It Affects

• People who want to operate motorcycles on public roads: must obtain Class M by passing a designated test or completing approved safety courses, and have Class M shown on their license or hold a Class M license.
• Riders under 18 ( minors): subject to operating hours and suspensions specified in the bill, and must meet the same licensing requirements with additional age-related rules.
• Motor-driven cycle owners/operators: must register their motor-driven cycle and obtain an operator's license; may be issued a Class M license with restrictions or have Class M displayed on their regular license, depending on the path chosen.

Key Provisions

• Motorcycle licensing pathway: requires passing an ALEA-designated motorcycle test and displaying Class M on the license, or obtaining a Class M license; eligibility can also be through a written motorcycle test or completion of safety programs (ATSC/Motorcycle Safety Foundation/Basic Riders Course).
• Motor-driven cycle licensing and registration: all operators must register their motor-driven cycle and obtain an operator's license; licenses are issued under Chapter 6, with eligibility starting at age 14 if competency is shown; a Class M license with motor-driven cycle restrictions or a Class M displayed on a regular license may grant similar rights and duties as other drivers.
• Minor-specific rules: persons 17 years old or younger operating motorcycles or motor-driven cycles are subject to operating hours, exceptions, and suspensions as outlined in Section 32-6-7.2.
• Effective date and exemptions: the act does not apply to someone who already has a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle license before the act's effective date; the act becomes effective January 1, 2016.

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