Georgia Department of Driver Services’ Motorcycle Safety Program Announces Grant Award Funds Earmarked for Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program

The Department of Driver Services (DDS) Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GSMP) has received a grant for $135,554.92 from the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) with funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The grant cycle will run from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. The funding will support GMSP's ongoing efforts to reduce motorcycle fatalities, increase driver awareness of motorcycles, and expand access to rider education across the state of Georgia. As well as promoting the National Highway Safety Administration's "Share the Road" message to increase motorists' awareness of motorcycles on our roadways.

"Together, DDS and GOHS remain committed to promoting motorcycle safety by encouraging Georgia's motorists and motorcyclists to 'Share the Road.' We are proud that the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program has once again been selected to receive this important grant, allowing us to continue providing quality rider education and training to help protect the lives of Georgia's citizens," said DDS Commissioner Angelique B. McClendon.

"Innovative projects like this move Georgia and our nation closer to the realistic goal of zero traffic deaths by the middle of this century," said Allen Poole, Director of the Governor's Office of Highway Safety (GOHS). "Every life saved means one less family grieving the loss of a loved one that could have been prevented."

GMSP provides a range of rider education courses tailored to different experience levels:

• Basic RiderCourse(BRC) - For beginners; motorcycle provided, helmet available upon request
• Basic RiderCourse2(BRC2) - For riders with some experience
• Advanced RiderCourse(ARC) - For experienced riders seeking to enhance their skills

Riders who successfully complete the BRC or BRC2 receive a 90-day waiver that exempts them from both the written and on-cycle skills tests required to obtain a Class M license in Georgia.

"Motorcycle safety classes are essential for both new and experienced riders," said Holly Hegyesi, GMSP Program Manager. "Nearly one-third of motorcycle fatalities involve unlicensed or untrained riders. This grant helps ensure rider education remains accessible and affordable across Georgia."

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