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...

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.