Graduated Driver’s Licensing for new motorcycle drivers
The Government of Saskatchewan is furthering its commitment to motorcycle safety by introducing a Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) program for new motorcycle drivers. The program will come into effect in 2011.
"We’re proud to expand the Graduated Driver’s Licensing program to include motorcycle drivers," Minister of Crown Corporations Ken Cheveldayoff said. "We know concerns over motorcycle safety are top of mind in Saskatchewan. Last year alone, there were 283 collisions involving motorcycles in Saskatchewan, including five deaths and 221 injuries. We believe the GDL program will help build safe driving skills with our new motorcycle drivers."
Currently, there are no requirements for motorcycle drivers to demonstrate any riding skills to legally ride a motorcycle in Saskatchewan. Residents are able to drive a motorcycle with a learner’s licence, with only slightly reduced driving privileges, simply by passing a written knowledge test.
The new program will be similar to the province’s current GDL program for passenger vehicles in that it will gradually introduce new motorcycle drivers into the driving environment. Motorcycle drivers will move into higher risk driving situations after gaining experience in lower risk situations.
There will be three stages to the proposed GDL program for new motorcycle drivers – Learner, Novice 1 and Novice 2. As riders pass through these stages, they will see fewer restrictions until they graduate to an experienced "M" endorsed motorcycle licence. If a new motorcycle driver displays good driving experience with no incidents or interruptions, they will graduate to an experienced "M" endorsed licence in 36 months. Any incidents or interruptions will delay this process.
"We are confident that this new program will go a long way towards reducing motorcycle-related deaths and injuries in Saskatchewan," Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Safety Council Harley Toupin said. "The Saskatchewan Safety Council has provided motorcycle safety courses for over 30 years. Riding experience is a key component to reducing crashes by allowing new motorcycle drivers to gain experience under a reduced level of risk."
"The Saskatoon Police Service is pleased to hear about the graduated licensing program for motorcycle drivers," Saskatoon Police Chief Clive Weighill said. "We believe this is a major step to improve motorcycle safety in the province."
"Graduated licence programs save lives and prevent injuries," Cheveldayoff said. "We know our current GDL program for passenger vehicles has been successful in reducing at-fault crashes by 18 per cent among new drivers. We’re expecting the same positive results for new motorcycle drivers."
About SGI
SGI is the province's self-sustaining auto insurance fund. SGI operates 21 claims centres and five salvage centres across Saskatchewan and a head office in Regina. The organization employs 1,800 people and works with a network of almost 300 independent insurance brokers and 420 motor licence issuers across the province.
For more information:
Kim Hambleton
SGI
Manager, Communications
Regina
306-751-1360Article taken from Saskatchewan Government Insurance website: http://www.sgi.sk.ca/news_releases/2009/may_19_2009.html
Learner Stage:
Class 1-7 with Endorsement 6
Stage Duration:· Minimum duration: 12 months
Requirements:· Minimum age 16
· Under 18 requires written parental consent
· Pass MC specific written knowledge test
· Complete approved MC training course
- Take an SGI approved training course and successfully pass it’s off-road skill test before beginning the learner stage
· Successfully pass road test to graduate to Novice stage of GDL (exit test)
· Remain free of at-fault collisions, convictions and suspensions. Noncompliance results in rider being required to restart the Learner stage of GDL
Restrictions:· Zero BAC
· No passengers
· No night-time driving (½ hour after sunset to ½ hour before sunrise)
· May not tow a vehicle or use a sidecar
· Maximum stage duration: 24 months
Novice I Stage:
Class 1-7 Endorsement M1
Stage Duration:· Minimum duration: 12 months
Requirements:· Minimum age 17
· Must meet all requirements of learner stage
· Must remain in this stage for 12 months excluding licence interruptions
· Remain free of at-fault collisions, convictions and suspensions. Noncompliance results in rider being required to restart the Novice I stage of GDL
Restrictions:· Zero BAC
· No riding between midnight and 5 am
· May not tow a vehicle or use a sidecar
· Road restrictions: if the road test was taken on a moped or three-wheeled motorcycle:
- Restriction J – Motorcycles under 50 cc’s only in Class 6 or Endorsement M. Larger motorcycles as a learner only;
- Restriction H – operation of three-wheeled motorcycles only in Class 6 or
- Endorsement M – operation of two-wheeled motorcycles as a learner only
Novice II Stage:
Class 1-7 Endorsement M2
Stage Duration:· Minimum duration: 12 months
Requirements:· Minimum age 18 years
· Must meet all requirements of Novice I stage
· Must remain in this stage for 12 months excluding licence interruptions
· Remain free of at-fault collisions, convictions and suspensions. Noncompliance results in rider being required to restart the Novice II stage of GDL
Restrictions:· Zero BAC
· Road restrictions: if the road test was taken on a moped or three-wheeled motorcycle:
- Restriction J – Motorcycles under 50 cc’s only in Class 6 or Endorsement M. Larger motorcycles as a learner only;
- Restriction H – operation of three-wheeled motorcycles only in Class 6 or
- Endorsement M – operation of two-wheeled motorcycles as a learner only
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