6. Development and Evaluation of an Improved Motorcycle Licensing Program
In 1975-76 the Division of Field
Office Operations and R&D began work on a large-scale
federally funded evaluation of a motorcycle licensing
program (Motorcycle Operator Skill Test, or MOST) consisting
of a specially-developed written test, a range-skills
test, and remedial skills training of test failures. The
evaluation showed that both the testing and remedial training
components were cost-effective methods of licensing motorcyclists.
That is, the value of the added accident reduction achieved
by the new program, compared to that associated with DMV's
standard program, far exceeded the extra cost of the new
program components. The accident reductions ranged from
14-21% and the annual net cost-saving from the program
was estimated to be $3,000,000. Based on these results,
the department decided to implement and evaluate a less
costly version of the new motorcycle test (MOST II) in
27 field offices. The remedial training components of
the MOST program were not implemented because of the cost
outlay associated with constructing numerous training
facilities. Unfortunately, the evaluation of MOST II failed
to support adoption of the modified test program.