Iowa Admin. Code 761-635.2(321): Approved Course In Motorcycle Rider Education
…635.2(9) The driving test for a Class M driver's license or a motorcycle endorsement may be waived under 761—subrule 604.31(2) provided the applicant has successfully completed the approved course.
Iowa Admin. Code: 761-604.31(321) Driving test requirements and waivers for noncommercial driver's licenses.
604.31(2) Driving test waivers. The department may waive a required driving test listed in subrule 604.31(1) if the applicant meets one of the following qualifications:
a. The applicant has successfully completed the appropriate Iowa-approved course or courses. The appropriate Iowa-approved courses are the following: … motorcycle rider education for a Class M driver's license or motorcycle endorsement; and motorized bicycle education for a motorized bicycle license. However, if an applicant is under the age of 18, a driving test is required if so requested by the applicant's parent, guardian, or instructor.
The Iowa DOT describes the Iowa motorcycle rider education program as follows:
Motorcycle Rider Education
What is the Motorcycle Rider Education (MRE) Program?
Iowa has a quality Motorcycle Rider Education (MRE) Program administered by the Iowa DOT's Driver & Identification Services. Iowa's MRE Program teaches Basic Rider Course (BRC), the Basic Rider Course II (BRC II), and the Returning Rider Basic Rider Course (RRBRC) of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). The BRC has a minimum of 15 hours of core instruction — five hours spent in the classroom in preparation for 10 hours of range activities. The BRC II has a minimum of five hours — most of which are spent on the range. The RRBRC combines elements of the BRC and BRC II, and is designed for riders who already possess basic skill but have not ridden for several years. You must successfully pass a knowledge test, as well as a skill test to receive a certificate of completion.
Basic skills taught include:
Perception development.
Risk evaluation & evasive strategies.
Riding in a straight line.The next level of instruction is the application of these basic skills to on-street riding conditions.
Who teaches it?
Only Iowa-licensed, MSF-certified rider coaches teach the BRC and BRC II programs.
Who can or must take it?
Any person 14 years of age or older, whether licensed or not licensed for motorcycle, may take the course to learn, refresh or improve safe riding skills. The licensing skills test may be waived upon successful completion of the course.
Iowa Code section 321.180B requires any person under the age of 18 who wants a motorcycle license — valid for the operation of a motorcycle — to successfully complete the motorcycle rider education course before the motorcycle license will be issued.
8. Summary of Factual Data and Analytical Methodologies Used and How Any Related Findings Support the Regulatory Approach Chosen:
Section 85.30, Stats., charges the department with responsibility for creating a motorcycle, moped, and motor bicycle safety program. The statute requires that the program include operational skills training, safety education, and public awareness and such other elements as the department deems desirable. It also allows the department to make grants under this program for establishment of courses which further the aims of this program. The statute directs the department to adopt rules that implement the statute. The basic goal of rider education classes is to improve motorcycle rider safety though experiential learning. Three types of learning are used to instruct students: safety principles, adult learning principles, and motor skill learning principles. The motorcycle safety course offered through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation is designed to maximize rider learning through these methods. Buche, Tim: Developing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Education and Training System, Motorcycle Safety Foundation (2004). https://msf-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/BRC_3_pdf.pdf The effectiveness of motorcycle knowledge and skills test training has been clear since the 1970s. McKnight, A. James and Kenard McPherson: The development and evaluation of a motorcycle skill test, manual, and knowledge test: final report. (1976) https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/005467959 (page images at HathiTrust); McKnight, A. James and Brian G. Hilburn: An evaluation of the modified motorcycle operator skill test exercises / ([Washington, D.C.] : National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ; Springfield, Va. : Available through the National Technical Information Service, [1987]) https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/102497571; National Public Services Research Institute (U.S.), and United States. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (page images at HathiTrust); McKnight, A. James and Brian G. Hilburn: An evaluation of the modified motorcycle operator skill test exercises. Final report. (1987) (page images at HathiTrust) https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/005504141. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s rider education and training system has been developed since the 1970s to utilize research relating to the effects of various types of training and research in the area of adult learning and coaching of physical skill development. Buche, Tim: Developing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Education and Training System, Motorcycle Safety Foundation (2004) https://msf-usa.org/library/#reference-materials-link. The department has utilized the Motorcycle Safety Foundation curriculum since the 1980s and found it to be effective. 9. Analysis and Supporting Documents Used to Determine the Effect on Small Business or in Preparation of an Economic Impact Report:
The department distributed draft copies of this rule to members of the motorcycle community for review and comment and asked them specifically to comment on any items they felt might have an economic impact on small businesses. Many of the community members solicited work for or own small businesses that provide motorcycle instruction training or sell motorcycles. No concerns regarding any potential effects on small business were raised.
10. Effect on Small Business (initial regulatory flexibility analysis):
Implementation costs at the local level will be very minimal since training sites are already following the current curriculum provider's (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) guidelines when offering classes. Any procedures that need to occur at the state level are part of current practice and will not cost the Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program any additional funds. Monitoring of compliance is already taking place on a regular basis and will not need to be significantly adjusted to meet the guidelines of the updated administrative rule.
11. Agency Contact Person:
Sarah Langlois, Motorcycle Safety Program Coordinator
Hill Farms State Office Building
4822 Madison Yards Way
9th Floor South
Madison, WI 53707-7936.
(608) 709-0080
12. Place where comments are to be submitted and deadline for submission:
Written comments may be submitted at the public hearings, by regular mail, fax or email to:
Motorcycle Safety Program Coordinator
Attn: Trans 129 Comments
Hill Farms State Office Building
4822 Madison Yards Way, 9th Floor South
Madison, WI 53707-7936
Written comments may also be submitted to the Department of Transportation at via email directed to DOTAdminRules@dot.wi.gov and should include “Trans 129 Comments” in the subject line.
