Getting a US motorcycle licence
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 509
Likes: 10
From: Bristol, England.
125 learner laws, helmet law, 33bhp restrictions. All things not wanted by the motorcycling community. All forced on us by successive governments over the years.
All making it more expensive or less attractive for young people to get into motorcycling.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 1
From: New Brunswick, C-eh-n-eh-d-eh
you didn't ask about Canada but here is my story. When I was 16 I got my license by practising on my brothers Honda 50 (popular at the time). I took my test on it too. The guy giving me the test wasn't even watching me because there was someone on a much bigger actual motorcycle that was testing at the same time. I got my license and still have it. It isn't that easy anymore. Actually,you only needed a driver's license at the time to drive a motorcycle. I didn't have my car driver's license so I had to take the test. Stone age times.
Last edited by oldncrzy; Jan 11, 2011 at 06:19 AM. Reason: clarification hopefully
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Pine Valley, CA
In California. Yes, But you need a learners permit if you want to practice before you take the class, which you have to take a written exam. Once you take the Basic Riders Saftey Course take it to the local DVM and walk out with a Lic
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
From: SE WI
If you have the skills to pass the road test and the knowledge to pass the written test, you can get your license right away in Wisconsin. You can get a temporary license that can be renewed a couple of times during which time you can practice.
Ideally, a person should take the Motorcycle Safety course but it is not required.
Ideally, a person should take the Motorcycle Safety course but it is not required.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 520
Likes: 1
From: Newark OH
The safety ***** want to reduce/eliminate road deaths. Motorcycles don't fit into that picture.
125 learner laws, helmet law, 33bhp restrictions. All things not wanted by the motorcycling community. All forced on us by successive governments over the years.
All making it more expensive or less attractive for young people to get into motorcycling.
125 learner laws, helmet law, 33bhp restrictions. All things not wanted by the motorcycling community. All forced on us by successive governments over the years.
All making it more expensive or less attractive for young people to get into motorcycling.
I was appalled when I heard about yalls 125cc learners limit. Thats dangerous on anything but city streets, and even then still dangerous. If I had to do that I wouldn't have gotten into riding.
For me I actually bought my bike, a 1200 roadster, got my permit then took a class a couple weeks later. At the end of the class was the evaluation, which enabled me to go to our BMV a few days later and get my endorsement. I rode my bike home after completing the class which was about 35 miles on the freeway. This was the first time riding and I was totally comfortable with it. I feel freeway riding is much safer, since its a more controlled environment.
I don't feel it should be any more restrictive. Each person must use common sense and judgement and ride THEIR ride and within THEIR limits. I have known people that have ridden for years and are stills cared to death of freeways. Let the people decide what is best, not some government chrony that has no clue.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 1
From:
No kidding. My first motorcycle test was one question. " Have you ridden a motorcycle for one year or more?" If you answer YES, you became a liciensed motorcycle rider in Montana. (in 1974). I've never taken a riding test.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 14
From: navarre ohio
in ohio you take a written test,get 16 of 20 obvious questions,then do a ridden test,which is basically 4 circles in a parking lot.then you are liscensed to ride anything..when i got my commercial driver license it was a 20 question test on driving,airbrakes,double and triple trailers,and hazmat(4 separate tests)took 45min.then 2 days of training(my choice)and the driving test..i bought a semi truck,signed on with a company, and was an owner operator in 2 weeks..kind of scary if you think about it..
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 11,240
Likes: 2,292
From: Lake Seminole
In Florida the only way to get a motorcycle lic. is to take the safety course now.
Mine started Fri. noon to 1800 then Sat. 0700 to 1900 then Sun. 0700 to 1300. Bad part was I bought the bike on the Thurs before so I had to wait until Mon. to get the endorsement put on my lic. It was the longest Sunday of my life!
Mine started Fri. noon to 1800 then Sat. 0700 to 1900 then Sun. 0700 to 1300. Bad part was I bought the bike on the Thurs before so I had to wait until Mon. to get the endorsement put on my lic. It was the longest Sunday of my life!
If you have the skills to pass the road test and the knowledge to pass the written test, you can get your license right away in Wisconsin. You can get a temporary license that can be renewed a couple of times during which time you can practice.
Ideally, a person should take the Motorcycle Safety course but it is not required.
Ideally, a person should take the Motorcycle Safety course but it is not required.
Last edited by vet767; Feb 26, 2011 at 11:26 AM.