(

a) A person shall obtain an instruction permit issued pursuant to this

section before operating, or being issued a class M1 or M2 driver’s license to operate, a two-wheel motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, motorized bicycle, moped, or bicycle with an attached motor. The person shall meet the following requirements to obtain an instruction permit for purposes of this section:

(1) If age years and months or older, but under the age of years, the applicant shall meet all of the following requirements: (

A) Have a valid class C license or complete driver education and training pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (

a) of

Section 12814.6. (

B) Successfully complete a motorcyclist safety program that is operated pursuant to

Article 2 (commencing with

Section 2930) of

Chapter of Division 2. (

C) Pass the motorcycle driver’s written exam.

(2) If years of age or older, but under years of age, the applicant shall meet both of the following requirements: (

A) Successfully complete a motorcyclist safety program that is operated pursuant to

Article 2 (commencing with

Section 2930) of

Chapter of Division 2. (

B) Pass the motorcycle driver’s written exam.

(3) If years of age or older, pass the motorcycle driver’s written exam. (

b) A person described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subdivision (

a) shall hold an instruction permit issued pursuant to this

section for a minimum of six months before being issued a class M1 or M2 license. (

c) A person issued an instruction permit pursuant to this

section shall not operate a two-wheel motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, motorized bicycle, moped, or bicycle with an attached motor during the hours of darkness, shall stay off any freeways that have full control of access and have no crossings at grade, and shall not carry any passenger except an instructor licensed under

Chapter 1 (commencing with

Section 11100) of Division or a qualified instructor as defined in

Section of the Education Code. (

d) An instruction permit issued pursuant to this

section shall be valid for a period not exceeding months from the date of application. (

e) The department may perform, during regularly scheduled computer system maintenance and upgrades, any necessary software updates related to the changes made by the addition, during the 2009–10 Regular Session, of this section.