23.3.158    TRAFFIC EXAMINATION DESCRIPTION AND SCORING

The traffic examination required under 23.3.156(1) uses a basic figure eight test pattern. The examiner follows the applicant. Following are the requirements and scoring for

the traffic examination:

(1) Judgment of conflicting traffic:

(a) Complete awareness of all traffic

around him, apparent knowledge of how to handle

traffic situation should one arise................................................................................0 points

(b) Aware only of traffic immediately

ahead of him................................................................................................................4 points

(c) Aware only of the immediate operation

of motorcycle, and disregarding all traffic

around him...................................................................................................................8 points

(2) Right of way, pedestrian or vehicle: Same as operator's road test (ARM 23.3.124(18) ) .

(3) Balance:

(a) Maintains good balance throughout

test................................................................................................................................0 points

(b) Use of feet one time to maintain

balance--other than when stopping...........................................................................4 points

(c) Use of feet more than one time to

maintain balance--other than when stopping...........................................................8 points

(4) Steering control:

(a) Maintains complete steering control

throughout traffic test..................................................................................................0 points

(b) Wanders, slightly, in correct traffic

lane, or has difficulty making turns............................................................................4 points

(c) Wanders all over correct traffic lane

and/or has great difficulty making turns....................................................................8 points

(5) Lane usage:

(a) Uses correct portion of correct traffic

lane...............................................................................................................................0 points

(b) Uses incorrect portion of traffic lane, or rides

from one side of traffic lane to

other side.....................................................................................................................4 points

(c) Continually switching traffic lanes,

and uses incorrect portion of traffic lane...................................................................8 points

(6) Use of brake:

(a) Correct use of rear and/or front brakes

when required to stop..................................................................................................0 points

(b) Unnecessary use of brakes when more

practical to down shift..................................................................................................4 points

(c) Excessive use of brakes, or use of

front brake only.............................................................................................................8 points

(7) Stall: Same as skill examination (ARM 23.3.157(5) ) .

(8) Clutch: Same as skill examination (ARM 23.3.157(4) ) .

(9) Following and overtaking: Same as operator's road

test. (ARM 23.3.124(17) ) .

(10) Stop sign or light: Same as operator's road test. (ARM 23.3.124(9) ) .

(11) Shifting: Same as skill examination. (ARM 23.3.157(6) ) .

(12) Attention to driving: Same as operator's road test. (ARM 23.3.124(15) ) .

(13) Turns: Same as operator's road test (ARM 23.3.124(5) and (6) ) .

(14) Scoring the traffic examination. Each item must be graded separately and compounded. In other words, each turn, stop, intersection, etc. is a separate part of the test and should be so graded. If an applicant makes an improper maneuver more than once, he must be graded for each error. For example, if an applicant creeps through a stop sign constituting a four point deduction, and at the next stop sign repeats the error, the examiner would deduct another four points.

(15) Causes for disqualifications. If any of the following conditions are met the driver is disqualified. The road test must be discontinued. If a return to the starting point of the test might be hazardous, the vehicle must be left in a safe place, pending arrangements for its removal.

(a) Accident, however slight: Any contact with another vehicle, any contact with a pedestrian except from the pedestrian's intention, or any contact with fixed objects.

(b) Dangerous action: Any action that would cause a driver or a pedestrian to take defensive action, stalls motorcycle in middle of busy intersection, or drives one or more wheels over curb or onto sidewalk.

(c) Clear violation of any traffic law: Any action for which a driver must be arrested.

(d) Lack of cooperation or refusal to perform: � Offers

bribe or gratuity', refuses to try to do any maneuver or

states "I cannot do that," accuses examiner of discriminating

against him.

(e) Various or repeated minor mistakes: Causes the deduction of more than the permitted number of points on the traffic examination score.

History: Sec. 44-1-103 MCA; IMP, 61-5-101 et seq. , 61-5-110, MCA; NEW, Eff. 3/8/76; AMD, Eff. 12/5/76; AMD, 1982 MAR p. 600, Eff. 3/26/82.