SuzukiSavage.com /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Licensing requirements /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1159288938 Message started by Vikki on 09/26/06 at 09:42:18

Title: Licensing requirements Post by Vikki on 09/26/06 at 09:42:18 I was just curious about what kind of licensing requirements the rest of you face where you live. From the posts I have read, it seems like the licensing in the U.S. is a bit easier than what we face in Canada. Here, it's a three-step process. There's the written test to obtain your "learner's licence."  When you have your learner's, you are restricted from riding in the dark, cannot travel faster than 60 kilometres (40 miles) an hour, must be accompanied at all times by a licensed motorcyclist and cannot carry passengers. The next step is the "skills test," the series of slow-riding maneuvers that you do around a parking lot. We had this test as part of the riding course I took in the spring, but I failed it twice and was not permitted to proceed with the rest of the course, which basically consisted of two road rides. So I dropped the course, got my own bike and went out on the road with my husband. I have yet to do the skills test again, which I will do with the motor vehicles branch. Once you pass the skills test, all your restrictions are removed, except for carrying passengers. The final step towards becoming a fully licensed motorcyclist is the road test. My learner's licence expires in February, so my plan is to re-take the written test and THEN do the riding tests and FINALLY get my full licence. So is the process this detailed for the rest of you? Vikki

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by Savage Librarian on 09/26/06 at 09:55:42 If I'm not mistaken, it varies a bit from state to state here in the US.   Here in Texas, there's a written test and a road test.  If you so choose, you can take the written test and get a permit that allows you to ride so long as you are within sight of someone over 18 or 21 (I don't recall the age).  The road test can be waived with the successful completion of the MSF course.   If you are under 18, I believe the MSF course is mandatory, as are the written and road tests. Oh, and let's not forget the fee.  Apparently it costs them an extra $8 to push the "M" key each time the license needs renewing...

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by mornhm on 09/26/06 at 10:37:14 In Illinois if you are of majority age (18 or 21 I'm not sure - hasn't affected me for a lot of years) you can either go the learner's permit/written/riding test route, or you can take the state's BRC (for free) and if you pass all you have to do is take yourself to your local licensing office and they will issue you a M license for a fee. Did I mention you have to have an automobile license to take the course? Also, the fee for the M classification in part goes to pay for the BRC's offered around the state. The ERC course is also paid for with this fee.

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by georgekathe on 09/26/06 at 10:48:24 when I took my bike test in the UK back in 1968 it was a piece of cake - a quick ride around the few blocks near the test center (only varied by taking 2nd & not first left from what my friend was on a few weeks before). Included handsignals (pre turn signals on bikes & an emergency stop but that was about it. The written part (very stiff for cars in UK) was also easy - just a few ??? like in US (think in Germany you need to have some rudimentary maintenance under your belt for the test too, but someone who has lived there would know - anyone?) the car test in UK was & still is very hard to get through - my Mum failed 3 times, my brother, a life long motorcyclist twice (maybe around a 85% first time you take it you fail rate!) but as I recall in those days most passed the bike test easily first time. I took the bike test here in MI around 1987 (now live in CO).  written part very easy - actual physical bike test not so for me with a looong bike with a relatively extreme rake - a large Honda Shadow. Could not go in between all the little cones without knocking one or 2 down so it shames me to say I failed (bear in mind I'd never driven a car in my life in England & did 10,000 miles a year there on a bike, commuting every single day in London with the high density traffic there). I borrowed a neighbor's scooter & sailed through it (could have done figure 8s around the darn cones then! Then taught myself to drive a car & passed test easily (hey, they are just like a bike, but you do different things with your hands/feet & are wider/longer & have reverse (unlike most bikes, I'm glad to say) Certainly seems we have it easy here compared to our cousins across the border.

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by vroom1776 on 09/26/06 at 10:53:38 I really need to get mine!  I've been riding 40k+ miles on a permit!  Need to take the riding test.  $35, then pay the DMV fees.  I'm in CO.

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by georgekathe on 09/26/06 at 11:33:42 Where abouts in CO, vroom1776? There is another Savage rider  - Thumperclone - I know here in the "Sunny Valley" of Grand Junction. He reckons there is another in town here - would you be the person? If so, check my profile & e-mail me with your whereabouts - perhaps we can check our bikes out? george :)

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by Vikki on 09/26/06 at 11:45:58 It definitely sounds a bit easier to get your licence in the U.S. Where I live, you cannot get any part of the licensing process waived by taking a course. In fact, there are really no benefits to taking a course, other than learning how to ride safely, although I believe you can get a slight discount on private insurance if you complete it. That's not to say that everyone follows all the legal guidelines. I know a few people who ride on their own, without being accompanied by a fully licensed motorcyclist, even though they only have their learner's licence. And try sticking to that 60 kph speed limit . . Vikki

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by vroom1776 on 09/26/06 at 11:47:55 HIJAKC AHEAD: GK, I'm in Fort Collins.  I've PMd w/ TC a while ago re: getting together.  My schedule is very hectic...  When abouts might you be thinking?  I'll send a PM w/ my info.   V

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by georgekathe on 09/26/06 at 12:13:31 Think Lon (aka Thumperclone) said he had corresponded with someone from your neck of the woods. not this side of spring, I reckon - any chance of heading over to the Front Range is out for me - don't you just hate Eisenhower Tunnel & the pass. also a rock slde (in Denver paper) which mashed a semi in Debeque well over a week ago is still causing delays on I70. Used to ride year round back home but a) got old b) got soft when crossed Atlantic. still, let's keep in touch & mayhap we can meet up. George  :D

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by Brewbrother on 09/26/06 at 18:31:34 In Florida, you can take a brief written test and get a learners permit that is good for 90 days. It is renewable 3 times. Then your choice is to take the riding part of the test at the DMV office, or pay $75 and take the MSF course over a weekend which will earn you an endorsement that the state recognizes and will be applied to your license when you show course completion to the DMV.  I aced the course on a CB550 and its 150lbs heavier than the savage. Most people fail the riding portion beacuse their bike is too heavy (read big cruisers) for manuvering at low speeds.

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by thumperclone on 09/26/06 at 19:25:36 hey varoom my permit(Colo) is good for 3 years..you been permitin that long???i didnt see any restrictions on/with it..p.s.  I got georges' p.m. from you..

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by Vikki on 09/26/06 at 20:12:19 My "learner's licence," which seems similar to the "permit" that you guys refer to in the U.S. is good for a year, so you have that much time to do the two riding tests before it expires and you have to start all over from the beginning. I know people who get their learner's and pass their skills test but don't get in the road test before the year expires. Then, they have to start all over again; it doesn't matter if you have already passed the previous two tests. How much does that suck? Vikki

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by Vikki on 09/26/06 at 20:16:13 And you have to pay only $75 for a course? Geez. A course here averages around $700 or $800, but that's for more than a weekend. The course I took was over six days (four evenings and two full days) and was 30 hours in total, and all the courses are similar to that. Vikki

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by ThomWill on 09/27/06 at 03:02:31 In Georgia, pass BRC course = license (the wait for the BRC course around Atlanta is now some two months unless you want to go across the state to a more rural area) Or, you can take the written test (20 MC questions, 20 roadsign questions)  and get a permit good for 6 months - renewable once. Then the "road" test (12-18 MPH in the DMV parking lot) Easy stop on line after narrow runway 90 right turn through VERY tight lines S-Curves through painted lines in parking lot 2 emergency stops 3 or 4 stop and swerve or swerve and stop runs based on a set of lights.

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by azjay on 09/27/06 at 07:43:12 here in AZ, last april, i paid $225.00 to put debby through the MSF course in phoenix, which was about 20 hours of instruction/course training over a weekend. when she successfully completed the course, she had passed the written and skills exam required by the state, and was issued a cert for each. she then went to the MVD, paid $7.00 and smiled for the camera, no permit period. 30 years ago in CA, my brother and i took a written test, and skills test on the DMV parking lot course. i dont remember a permit period, but we were accomplished riders at that time already. i have no idea what their rules are now.

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by Ed_L. on 09/27/06 at 14:34:12 I got my motorcycle license in Pennsylvania three years ago. It was pretty simple, all you need is a valid car licence to get a permit to ride and $7.00. The permit is good for a year and you can renew it as long as you want. There is a state run safety course that is for free which gives riding lessons in a parking lot on little 125cc state provided bikes. They also give two nights of classroom for the written test. Once you are done the course they give you the written and riding test. If you pass you get your licence. If you are not interested in taking the class the state gives the motorcycle test at the local police station. A lot of people just ride on thier permit for years till they get around to getting licenced, seems to be less hassle.

Title: In Re: Licensing requirements Post by magicfairy on 09/27/06 at 17:35:53 In New Zealand it a a long drawn out process. Pass Basic Handling course (half day) get certificate. Take to test centre, sit written test, get Learners. Cannot ride over 70kmh, Bike 250cc or less, no pillion. No riding 10pm - 5am Wait at least 6 months, Sit practical "restricted License" Still limited to 250cc bike, no pillion, no 10pm to 5am Wait another 6 months if over 25, 18 months if under age 25, Sit another practical test. Full License. Ride what you like, when you like, pillion OK. So if under 25 minimum time to get full license 2 years. Not surprisingly lots of riders "break" these rules.

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by markv on 10/05/06 at 10:01:41 Hey Vikki...here in Ontario the M1 lasts 3 months and has restrictions also but not so strict as yours it seems. We can't take passengers, drive on roads with higher than 80km speed limits, zero alcohol, cant ride half hour after sunset or prior to a half hour before sunrise. We can ride solo. The class in my city (Windsor) costs $395 - 2 day class - and if you pass it waives the government road test for the M2 level. The M2 lasts up to 5 years. After roughly 2 years with an M2 you can take the final road test to get your full license. Good luck progressing to full priviliges!

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by barry68v10 on 10/06/06 at 03:29:10 Here in Maryland, licensing is about the same.  Permit w/restrictions and $45 bucks, then test (road/written) and another $45 bucks.  But bringing a bike into the state they really get you.  $90 for temp registration, $60 inspection fee, then another $90 for the 1 year registration...

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by Island_Biker on 10/06/06 at 07:31:05 Actually, Canada differs from Province to Province as much as the individual sates do. Here in PEI, your learner's is good for somewhere between 30 & 60 days and the restrictions are 30km (20mi) from home, daylight only and no passengers.  There is no requirement for another bike in view. The learner's is just for the asking & a $5.00 fee (no written test) and then a driving test to get your full permit. As far as I know, passing the course allows you to bypass teh driving test. I'm not sure whether you need a car permit or not, as I've never known anyone who got their mc without their car.

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by PerrydaSavage on 10/06/06 at 14:42:05 Well, here in Newfoundland, Canada most new Riders tend to do the Canada Safety Council's Gearing Up Rider Safety Training Course (which is based on the American MSF Course) ... although you can get an m/c license without doing the course, the length of time between the "permit" stage and the full endorsement stage is longer (not sure of the time limit for this approach). The Gearing Up course takes a full weekend; Thu. evening classroom session, Fri evening Range and all day Sat. & Sun. on the training Range with a Skills test on Sun. afternoon. Successful completion of which gives you a Class 6(1) on your drivers license which we call a "permit" ... daylight only Riding, no roads with speed limits over 80kph and accompanyment of a fully endorsed Rider following on another m/c (most new Riders often "waive" the last one LOL!!). One has to have the Class 6(1) for a minimum of 1 month before being able to book a Road Test with either the Safety Council or the DMV ... ya pass this and you upgrade to a full Class 6 m/c endorsement ... and if you are confident enough, you can Ride any machine, anytime, anywhere ... carrying anyone!

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by Hashbrown on 10/13/06 at 14:34:54 Hahaha, man you guys got it bad ;)...In NH (live free or die!)its $30 for a permit; no night riding or passengers, thats it.  Its good for one month.  Come in to the dmv in the morning to take the skills test (6 basic slow maneuvers) and your good to go.  No written test, no hidden fees.  You dont even have to bring your own bike.  My buddy inherited a Road King but took the test with me on my savage.   Helpful hint on taking the test with the savage...adjust your idle screw up a little to avoid stalling.  Highly recomend taking the test with the savage, 350lbs soaking wet and greater then 500cc which allows you to take the wider turns on the test.  For all of you guys riding on permits, Take the test!  Beats looking over your sholder for the poh poh.

Title: Re: Licensing requirements Post by BOWDIER on 10/13/06 at 16:10:34 in Florida you can also just take the MSF course, its 2 days, and you take the written and driving during the course, take your card up to the drivers licience and get your endorsement added on.

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