Motorcycle drivers license
- Thread starter oldbird
- Start date
got mine in 1985.
got mine in 1990...take it on a dual purpose or standard bike if you can....much better turning.
thanks for the help i just got home with the motorcycle handbook they give you at the dmv the whole book is about safety not rules of the road the written part seems easy those who took the test in texas do you need to do the 8's and dounuts and do you really recommend a smaller bike may look into the safety course i didnt think that many people had there bike licence thanks
Got my first street bike in 1983. Got my motorcycle endorsement in 2003. I wanted to make sure I liked riding motorcycles before investing the $10 in the license!
I've had mine since 1987. Here in NY you have to take a written test for your permit. After you pass that you must go and practice on the street and have a licensed motorcycle rider over 18 within a quarter mile of you at all times. then you schedule a road teat. To take the road test you must bring you own bike, a licensed rider over 18 yrs of age and supply a car for the examiner to be to be driven in ,by said licensed operator. When I took the test you had to do 2 circles on way, then 2 circles the opposite way, then 2 figure eights then pull over and stop. then the examiner will give you a route to follow. Hefollows behind in the car with the licensed driver. At the end he tells you if you pass.
Wow, the test in California is super simple compared to the box. I didn’t know anybody ran that test outside law enforcement.The MSF is the way to go here in WA. I'm not sure I could have passed the test without the course. I've had mine since 04. Not so much about the rules but the basic skills they teach you in the MSF. Emergency stops and swerving to avoid objects safely etc. That was the easy part - the hard part for me was the figure eights in a 16 ft box without putting your foot down. Why you have to do that is beyond me??
Got my M1 really easy.
Back in the day in Kansas when they first came out with a motorcycle endorsement all you had to do was pay the extra buck or two to add it on your license. I've just carried it over every year.
They should make everyone that wants a motorcycle license go to a roadrace license course. You learn way more about tires, brakes, handling than many people learn in a lifetime of street riding. Much of it life saving information and technique.
They should make everyone that wants a motorcycle license go to a roadrace license course. You learn way more about tires, brakes, handling than many people learn in a lifetime of street riding. Much of it life saving information and technique.
I got my M/C endorsement in the summer of 1982.
Had a Ct permit but got my license on the the lovely island of Martha's Vineyard.
Went in wiht my permit from Ct which they wouldn't accept.
Did the written again.
For the road part the inspector took me outside and told me to ride around and show him what I got.
So I go down the road stop turn around come back and get my endorsement.
Had a Ct permit but got my license on the the lovely island of Martha's Vineyard.
Went in wiht my permit from Ct which they wouldn't accept.
Did the written again.
For the road part the inspector took me outside and told me to ride around and show him what I got.
So I go down the road stop turn around come back and get my endorsement.
busa_boy_69
Registered
Here in Ohio its an endorsement on the license that you already have. But here is how we have to get it. You have to buy what they call a "practice packet" which is like a book that you read prepping you for the test. Once you feel you are ready you take the book to the DMV and they have you take the written part of the test. If you pass the written they give you a temp permit which is like having your license but you have four restrictions........
1.) You may not operate on interstates or highways
2.) You must wear a helmet (you'd be dumb as hell not to)
3.) You may not carry a passenger
4.) You may not ride at night
If you violate one of any of those it's the same thing as not even having a permit or license. Once you get the temp permit you may ride around on it for 12 months after its issuance and then it expires and you have to take the written test again. Once you have rode on the temp permit and are comfortable enough you make an appoinment at the DMV to take the practical skills test (driving part). You go through a series of manuevers instructed by the test giver in different segments. If you pass these then you go in and they sign that you are okay to get your license which in Ohio means you have to get a NEW license showing your motorcycle endorsement on it which is now 28$. So cost wise it will run you about 40$ or so.
Some advice though. I took the test on my Busa and it is NOT easy. If you don't have a lot of saddle time I would recommend using a smaller shorter wheelbase bike. It will make things a lot easier on you.
1.) You may not operate on interstates or highways
2.) You must wear a helmet (you'd be dumb as hell not to)
3.) You may not carry a passenger
4.) You may not ride at night
If you violate one of any of those it's the same thing as not even having a permit or license. Once you get the temp permit you may ride around on it for 12 months after its issuance and then it expires and you have to take the written test again. Once you have rode on the temp permit and are comfortable enough you make an appoinment at the DMV to take the practical skills test (driving part). You go through a series of manuevers instructed by the test giver in different segments. If you pass these then you go in and they sign that you are okay to get your license which in Ohio means you have to get a NEW license showing your motorcycle endorsement on it which is now 28$. So cost wise it will run you about 40$ or so.
Some advice though. I took the test on my Busa and it is NOT easy. If you don't have a lot of saddle time I would recommend using a smaller shorter wheelbase bike. It will make things a lot easier on you.
All 50 states require an endorsement. As of 1995 only 2 states did not require one. For some reason Ohio and Iowa come to mind, but I could be wrong. As mentioned before, most state view riding a motorcycle without the endorsement the same a not having a license at all. In Oklahoma, and I'm sure several other states, operating a motor vehicle without a license is a jailable offense. However officer discretion usually kicks in. I would rarely jail someone on that single charge. Add no insurance (which is also jailable in OK) and you were heading to my lockup. Unless you were doing something very stupid, alcohol involved, or “talked yourself†into jail, it would take two jailable offenses for me to haul you in. I think the majority of the officers feel the same way. However there are still those that don’t.
Very many insurance companies will not insure unlicensed drivers or unlicensed riders.
All states vary on the test procedures. Almost all require a separate written test. Some use a skills evaluation (often based on the MSF test, others like Oklahoma, use a regulation compliance test. In OK, they give you a radio receiver to clip on you collar, follow you in a car giving you commands by radio. They are looking for head checks, signals, stops, lane changes, speed, and parking in OK. I guess if you fall you’d fail as well.
I received my license in 89-90 during a time after they started requiring an endorsement. All I had to do was convince the DPS examiner that I had been riding before and they added it on the spot. I was grandfathered in which was stopped here 6-8 years ago. In 2004 when I became an instructor I had to take the motor vehicle written test, the motorcycle written test, and the motorcycle riding test to become a state certified instructor. I have to recertify every four years with state and every 2 years with MSF to maintain my certification.
Quite a few states allow the MSF course to be used as an exemption to one or both tests to get your endorsement. Oklahoma exempts the BRC and ERC graduates from taking the riding test. That itself has increased enrolment in the MSF classes around here tremendously. (and that is a good thing) I think there is a couple of states that require the MSF class (and even pay for part of it). Some state will take MSF class certificates from other states, some will not. Some have a limited list of other states whose certificates are approved.
Very many insurance companies will not insure unlicensed drivers or unlicensed riders.
All states vary on the test procedures. Almost all require a separate written test. Some use a skills evaluation (often based on the MSF test, others like Oklahoma, use a regulation compliance test. In OK, they give you a radio receiver to clip on you collar, follow you in a car giving you commands by radio. They are looking for head checks, signals, stops, lane changes, speed, and parking in OK. I guess if you fall you’d fail as well.
I received my license in 89-90 during a time after they started requiring an endorsement. All I had to do was convince the DPS examiner that I had been riding before and they added it on the spot. I was grandfathered in which was stopped here 6-8 years ago. In 2004 when I became an instructor I had to take the motor vehicle written test, the motorcycle written test, and the motorcycle riding test to become a state certified instructor. I have to recertify every four years with state and every 2 years with MSF to maintain my certification.
Quite a few states allow the MSF course to be used as an exemption to one or both tests to get your endorsement. Oklahoma exempts the BRC and ERC graduates from taking the riding test. That itself has increased enrolment in the MSF classes around here tremendously. (and that is a good thing) I think there is a couple of states that require the MSF class (and even pay for part of it). Some state will take MSF class certificates from other states, some will not. Some have a limited list of other states whose certificates are approved.
High Ranger
Registered
Have had mine since I got my first street bike. I took my test on my 2000 ZX-11. That was fun.
mrninja9
Banned
man i took the msf course basic and advanced then my illinois license expired being military i had a different state license. but when i moved back i went to the dmv had been like 7 years since i looked at the written missed one but the driving the ladty felt sorry cause i used a freinds sportster to take it on
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