Tiered Licensing: Un-American?

In a forum discussion “Illinois Considering New License Requirement” the subject of tiered licensing came up.  It led to some lively discussion and we wanted to tackle the subject by looking at where in the US tiered licensing already exists and how it was implemented.  We will also look at the possible effects on motorcycle manufacturers sales.

Although used in other countries tiered licensing has not caught on in the US.  Studies have shown that it has little effect on crashes when implemented.  (Mayhew, D.R. & Simpson, H.M. (1989). Motorcycle Engine Size and Traffic Safety, Traffic Injury Research Foundation of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario)

In 2008 Utah implemented a tiered licensing system.  If you test on a motorcycle under 650 CC you license endorsement is limited to the size of the bike you tested on.  The levels are 90 CC, 249 CC, and 650CC.  If you test on a bike larger than 650 CC you have no limitations.  This seems like a good idea on paper but does nothing to prevent someone from testing small and riding a larger motorcycle.

We looked high and low, and other then some pending “good idea” legislation, we can’t find another state using the tiered license system.  At one point it appears New Hampshire may have had a tiered system.  Their DMV website no longer shows it being a requirement.

For countries across the pond tiered licensing has been around for a while and constantly changes as politicians want to “appear” safety minded.  The biggest part is age and experience based.  There are minimum ages you must be before you can move to the next tier of the licensing.  You are limited by the power ratio of the motorcycle and limited by size as well.  Meaning even though a Sportster is perfectly placed power wise it may still be deemed to large.

Imagine then for a second this scheme, or the Illinois plan to limit based on CC, here in the US.  HD is the largest manufacturer of cruisers.  They sell more than all other brands combined.  They sell more bikes to under 25, women, and minorities than any other brand.  If legislation like this passes you will take away that customer base.  People who may normally have started on a Sportster due to its ease of use will end up on smaller bikes.  What do you do when you aren’t allowed to buy the bike because it’s too big?  This kind of “safety” legislation does not fix the issue.

Here is my take.  It doesn’t work.  People will always do what they want when a law doesn’t make sense.  It is actually legal for a jury to not convict if they disagree with the law.  Ponder that for a moment.  People need to start looking out for each other again.  Car drivers need to slow down and look.  We all need to have more patience on the road.  We need to be nicer to our fellow drivers no matter what they are in or on.  Put the cell phone down.

I am a big believer in training as well.  Take the MSF basic course, ride, then take the advanced course.  Read riding books, learn from people who have taken classes.  Never stop becoming a better rider.

I am curious as to what our readers have as a fix.  Let us know in the comments below or discuss it in the forums…