Trans 129.09(1)(1)
Basic rider course requirements. A basic rider course shall adhere to the curriculum established for a basic rider course by the curriculum provider and approved for use by the department, and shall meet all of the following criteria:
Trans 129.09(1)(a)
(a) The course shall consist of at least 15 hours of instruction which includes pre-class assignments, if any, and both classroom and range instruction. Sufficient time as directed by the curriculum provider shall be dedicated to range instruction for students to develop skills in accordance with curriculum requirements. Classroom instruction shall be provided in accordance with sub.
(4).
Trans 129.09(1)(c)
(c) There shall be no more than 8 hours of instruction in a single day.
Trans 129.09(1)(d)
(d) At a minimum, range instruction shall be provided in 6 maneuvers, including the following:
Trans 129.09(1)(d)3.
3. Shifting, unless instructional vehicles are equipped with automatic transmissions.
Trans 129.09(2)
(2)
Basic course for experienced riders course requirements. A basic course for experienced riders shall adhere to the curriculum established for a course designated by the curriculum provider as a license waiver course for riders with sufficient riding skill and approved for use by the department, and shall meet all of the following criteria:
Trans 129.09(2)(a)
(a) The course shall consist of both classroom instruction and discussion, and range training. Sufficient time as directed by the curriculum provider shall be dedicated to range instruction for students to develop skills in accordance with curriculum requirements. Classroom instruction shall be provided in accordance with sub.
(4).
Trans 129.09(2)(c)
(c) There shall be no more than 9 hours of instruction in a single day.
Trans 129.09(2)(d)
(d) At a minimum, instruction shall be provided in all of the following maneuvers:
Trans 129.09(2)(e)
(e) A skills evaluation shall be conducted at the beginning of range training to assess an enrolled student's ability to handle a motorcycle at the level required for the range portion of the experienced rider course.
Trans 129.09(2)(g)
(g) A knowledge test and a skills test approved by the department shall be conducted prior to the end of the course.
Trans 129.09(3)
(3)
Class size. Class size may not exceed 24 students in the classroom or 12 students on the range for the basic rider course or the experienced rider course.
Trans 129.09(4)
(4)
Classroom instruction. Classroom instructors for the basic rider course and basic course for experienced riders shall teach material developed by the curriculum provider and Wisconsin-specific material approved by the department. Classroom instruction may be provided in full or in part by online programs that teach the department-approved curriculum. Classroom instruction shall be supplemented by discussion of relevant topics during the range portion of the class. Training provided in the classroom or online shall include a testing mechanism that evaluates student comprehension of the curriculum. Testing may accommodate learning disabilities, limited English proficiency, or medical conditions.
Trans 129.09(5)
(5)
Range instruction. A rider coach may exclude students who, in a rider coach's opinion, demonstrate a lack of the skill, attention, or cooperation needed to safely complete the range portion of a course from further participation in range exercises in that course. This shall not preclude the student from participating in range exercises in a rider course at another time or location. Actions taken under this subsection must be consistent with standards set by the curriculum provider.
Trans 129.09 Note
Note: Learning to ride a motorcycle is a physical skill. A person's learning abilities and physical coordination may affect the person's ability to master the skills involved. Because the skills used in earlier training exercises are fundamental and needed to complete later exercises, in the interest of safety, a rider coach may counsel a person to self-evaluate and possibly withdraw from range instruction. For example, a person who cannot master manipulation of the clutch and shifting a standard transmission in the class time allotted for learning that skill might prove a danger to other participants. The rider coach has authority, under this rule, to exclude a person from the remaining range exercises. Actions taken under this authority must be consistent with the standards set forth in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Standards. The Wisconsin attorney general approved incorporation of these standards by reference on February 19, 2024, as required by s.
227.21 (2), Stats. Copies of these standards are available through the Wisconsin Motorcycle Safety Program State Administrator or the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Trans 129.09(6)
(6)
Skills and knowledge testing. All students shall be afforded an opportunity to participate in department-approved classroom knowledge and end-of-course range skills testing.
Trans 129.09(6)(a)
(a) Students shall successfully complete classroom knowledge testing to qualify for a demerit point reduction.
Trans 129.09(6)(b)
(b) Students shall successfully complete both classroom knowledge testing and end-of-course range skills testing to qualify for a skills test waiver.
Trans 129.09 History
History: Cr.
Register, January, 1998, No. 505, eff. 2-1-98;
CR 04-132: am. (1) (b) and (2) (a)
Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05;
CR 07-084: am. (1) (f) and (2) (e), r. (3)
Register February 2008 No. 626, eff. 3-1-08;
CR 23-043: am. (title), (1) (intro.), (a), (b), (d) (intro.), 3., r. (1) (e), renum. (1) (f) to (3) and am., r. (1) (g), r. and recr. (2) (intro.), (a), am. (2) (b), r. and recr. (2) (e), r. (2) (f), cr. (2) (g), (4) to (6) Register November 2024 No. 827, eff. 12-1-24; (3) (title) created under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., and correction in (5) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register November 2024 No. 827. Trans 129.10(1)(1)
Rider coach license requirement. A person providing training on the operation of motorcycles for motorcycle skills test waiver purposes or for demerit point reduction purposes shall be licensed as a rider coach.
Trans 129.10(1m)
(1m) Application. Rider coaches seeking a rider coach license to participate in the waiver of skills test program, demerit point reduction program, or both, shall complete and submit an application to the department on the department's form.
Trans 129.10(2)
(2)
License eligibility criteria. A person may not be licensed as a rider coach unless the person meets the requirements of par.
(a) or
(b) and pars.
(c) to
(g), and the driver record requirements of sub.
(3):
Trans 129.10(2)(a)
(a) The person has completed a rider coach preparation course in this state meeting the requirements of the curriculum provider.
Trans 129.10(2)(b)
(b) The person has completed a rider coach preparation course meeting the curriculum provider's requirements and approved by another jurisdiction, U.S. governmental agency, or a branch of the military, and has completed an out-of-state rider coach orientation course in this state or is authorized to grant skills test waivers in this state as December 1, 2024. To qualify under this paragraph, a person may be required to provide proof of completion of pre-course and course assignments from the rider coach preparation course the person attended.
Trans 129.10(2)(c)
(c) The person teaches 2 range and 2 classroom courses during each year of an authorization period.
Trans 129.10(2)(d)
(d) The person successfully completes a minimum of 6 hours of motorcycle rider education related professional development activity sponsored or approved by the department during each year subsequent to the year the person completes rider coach training described in par.
(a) or
(b).
Trans 129.10(2)(e)
(e) The person successfully completes all knowledge tests, all skill tests, and other evaluations required for rider coach certification.
Trans 129.10(2)(f)
(f) The person is certified as a rider coach by the curriculum provider.
Trans 129.10 Note
Note: Nothing in this rule prohibits a rider education provider or the curriculum provider from imposing more stringent driver record or background requirements upon instructors.
Trans 129.10(3)
(3)
Instructor driver record requirements. To be licensed as a rider coach, a person shall maintain a satisfactory driving record. A person's driving record may not be considered satisfactory under this subsection if that person:
Trans 129.10(3)(am)
(am) Has been convicted under s.
346.04 (2t) or
(3), under s.
346.57 (4) (a) to
(k) for speeding in excess of 20 miles per hour over the applicable speed limit, under 346.62, 346.63 (1), (2) or (6) (a), 346.67 (1), 346.70 (1) as an operator, under s.
346.94 (2), or, if the violation caused bodily harm, as defined in s. 939.22 (4), to another where persons engaged in work in a highway maintenance or construction area, utility work area, or emergency or roadside response area are at risk from traffic, under s.
346.04 (1) or
(2),
346.18 (6),
346.37,
346.39,
346.46 (1), or
346.57 (2),
(3),
(4) (d) to
(h), or
(5), or under an ordinance adopted in conformity with these offenses, or under any offenses in another jurisdiction that prohibits the following conduct as described in the other jurisdiction's laws:
Trans 129.10(3)(am)1.
1. Failure to perform duties required of a driver after an accident, such as stopping, exchanging driver information, or reporting an accident.
Trans 129.10(3)(am)2.
2. Fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, or knowingly resisting an officer by failing to stop a vehicle.
Trans 129.10(3)(am)3.
3. Operating a commercial vehicle with alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more but less than 0.1 and causing injury.
Trans 129.10(3)(am)5.
5. Operating while under influence of intoxicant or controlled substance, or with a prohibited alcohol concentration.
Trans 129.10 Note
Note: The offenses described would all be 6-point offenses if committed in this state. See s. Trans 101.02 (1). There is no requirement that the other jurisdiction's statute strictly conform to Wisconsin's, only that it prohibits similar conduct. Variations in language from that used in Wisconsin statutes is expected and will not render a violation dissimilar. The department considers the type of conduct prohibited by the other jurisdiction's law, not the particular conduct committed by the licensee.
Trans 129.10(3)(b)
(b) Has been involved in 2 or more accidents in the preceding year and the accident report for more than one accident indicates that the person may have been causally negligent.
Trans 129.10(3)(c)
(c) Has had his or her operator's license revoked or suspended for a traffic violation other than a parking violation, failure to pay a forfeiture or other debt of any type, at any time during the preceding year.
Trans 129.10 Note
Note: Nothing in this rule prohibits a rider education provider or the curriculum provider from imposing more stringent driver record or background requirements upon rider coaches.
Trans 129.10(4)(a)
(a) Conduct rider courses and programs at authorized training sites, in conjunction with an approved rider education provider, and in a manner that meets the standards required by the curriculum provider.
Trans 129.10(4)(b)
(b) Maintain a low risk and positive learning environment for all students.
Trans 129.10(4)(c)
(c) Follow riding practices consistent with the curriculum provider's teachings.
Trans 129.10(4)(d)
(d) Operate a motorcycle on a frequent, routine basis during the riding season.
Trans 129.10(4)(e)
(e) Ride, drive, and teach classes free of intoxicants, controlled substances, and controlled substance analogs as defined in ch.
340, Stats.
Trans 129.10(4)(f)
(f) Wear protective gear when riding to, from, and during on-cycle rider training activities.
Trans 129.10(4)(g)
(g) Complete rider coach or rider coach trainer professional development in addition to training required for initial licensure under this chapter if required by the curriculum provider or the department.
Trans 129.10(4)(h)
(h) Exhibit professional conduct, including having an appropriate appearance, using appropriate language, exhibiting positive verbal and written messages, and engaging in positive interaction with others that is free from intimidation or threat.
Trans 129.10(4)(i)
(i) Provide each student who successfully completes a rider course a course completion card. If the rider used a 3-wheeled vehicle on the range portion of the course, provide a notation that the course was completed on a 3-wheeled vehicle on the course completion card.
Trans 129.10(5)
(5)
Ineligibility for and suspension of rider coach license. Trans 129.10(5)(a)(a) The department shall suspend the license of or deny an application for a rider coach license for a person who does not meet the license eligibility criteria of sub.
(2), whose driver record does not meet the requirements of sub.
(3), or who does not meet the conduct requirements of sub.
(4).
Trans 129.10(5)(a)1.
1. A person whose license is suspended because the person does not meet the licensing criteria of sub.
(2) may reapply for a rider coach license or apply to apply reinstate a suspended rider coach license when the person is eligible licensing under sub.
(2).
Trans 129.10(5)(a)2.
2. A person whose license is suspended because the person failed to meet the driver record requirements of sub.
(3) may reapply for a rider coach license or apply to reinstate a suspended rider coach license one year from the conviction date for the latest offense that led to imposition of the suspension under sub.
(3), or the date that offense was reported to department as required by s.
Trans 129.23, whichever is later.
Trans 129.10(5)(a)3.
3. A person whose license is suspended because the person failed to meet the conduct requirements of sub.
(4) shall be eligible to reinstate the suspended rider coach license at the end of the suspension period.
Trans 129.10(5)(a)4.
4. A person whose license is suspended for any combination of the reasons specified in subd.
1. to
3. shall be eligible to reinstate the suspended rider coach license at the end of all of the suspension periods.
Trans 129.10(5)(b)
(b) The department shall suspend the license of a person whose authorization or certification to teach a curriculum is cancelled, suspended, revoked, or otherwise withdrawn by a curriculum provider. The person may reapply for or reinstate a rider coach license when the person is reauthorized to conduct training by the curriculum provider.
Trans 129.10(5)(c)
(c) No person may act as a classroom or range instructor at a school that issues skill test waivers or demerit point reductions if the person's rider coach license is cancelled or suspended.
Trans 129.10(5)(d)
(d) Rider coaches may be evaluated from time to time by the department. If the department evaluates a rider coach and determines that the individual fails to meet the standards set by this chapter, the department may require the rider coach to participate in a training program provided by the applicable curriculum provider, and may cancel that rider coach's license if the individual does not complete the required training within the time specified by the department.
Trans 129.10(6)(a)(a) The department shall assign all licensed rider coaches a rider coach number.
Trans 129.10(6)(b)
(b) A rider coach license shall be valid through the same date as the authorization the person receives from the curriculum provider to conduct motorcycle rider classes, unless the authorization from the curriculum provider is cancelled or suspended.
Trans 129.10 Note
Note: The intent of this provision is to reduce administrative burdens on rider coaches by having all reauthorization activities by the department and the curriculum provider coincide.
Trans 129.10(6)(c)
(c) The department shall evaluate each rider coach's qualifications under this section at least once during each license period and shall take action as required under sub.
(5) if the evaluation concludes that the rider coach is ineligible to be licensed.
Trans 129.10(7)
(7)
Rider coach training qualification. To develop and maintain a state-wide pool of motorcycle rider coaches, the department may manage enrollment into department-sponsored motorcycle rider coach instruction classes in any of the following manners:
Trans 129.10(7)(a)
(a) Exclude applicants from rider coach training classes who are not sponsored by a rider education provider.
Trans 129.10(7)(b)
(b) Grant preference to persons who are applying to become rider coaches in parts of the state where additional instructors are needed.
Trans 129.10(7)(c)
(c) Exclude applicants who do not meet the background or driver record qualification requirements for a motorcycle rider coach.
Trans 129.10(7)(d)
(d) Interview and select rider coach applicants who the interviewing panel concludes are most likely to succeed as motorcycle rider coaches.
