A Motorcycle Thread About Absolutely Nothing!

[Reba]

no.... you're not understanding me. There are 2 required parts to get licensed - written test and road test.

1. You go to DMV to take written test to get a motorcycle permit which allows you to take Basic Rider Course at MSF
2. The MSF Instructor is authorized to evaluate you for road test. If he/she passes you - then you can go to DMV to get a motorcycle license ("M" on your license)

Each state does it differently.

In South Carolina, the rider first takes and passes the written/computer test, and is issued a temporary learner's permit. Then, after a minimum time period, the rider takes the road test. If the rider passes the road test, then he gets the permanent motorcycle driver's license.

The MSF is optional in South Carolina. TCS took the MSF so he could get a military base sticker, which requires passing the MSF.

Riders who don't go on military bases in South Carolina don't need to take an MSF. Some riders take it to improve their skills or get lower insurance rates but it's not required.

 

[Reba]

actually no. This is why we are going to MSF to get our permit, we are taking the Basic Rider Course. There is a skills evaluation and written test. Once pass both, they give us the permit to allow us go to DMV to add "M" on our license. Okay??

Just for clarification:

Prior to taking the MSF were you allowed to ride your motorcycle on public streets?

 

[Jiro]

Each state does it differently.

In South Carolina, the rider first takes and passes the written/computer test, and is issued a temporary learner's permit. Then, after a minimum time period, the rider takes the road test. If the rider passes the road test, then he gets the permanent motorcycle driver's license.

The MSF is optional in South Carolina. TCS took the MSF so he could get a military base sticker, which requires passing the MSF.

Riders who don't go on military bases in South Carolina don't need to take an MSF. Some riders take it to improve their skills or get lower insurance rates but it's not required.

That (red bold print) procedure is pretty much the same everywhere. That is one way to do it. The other way is to take MSF course where there is no minimum time period required.

I believe Highlander is confused with the wording cuz of ASL-English translation - "permit" as in "MSF will permit me to get a motorcycle license."

 

[ncff07]

Not always. In NC you CAN take the DMV written test and get a motorcycle learners permit without taking the skills test and drive a bike on the roads. The only restriction is that you can not have a passenger with a learners permit.

You DO NOT have to have taken the written test at the DMV in order to take the MSF class. You can sign up for the class without ever having taken a bike test or even been on a bike before and the college furnishes bikes for the class. After taking the class you'd get a certificate to take to the DMV and they waive their bike skills test and you just have to pass the written test.

 

[Reba]

That (red bold print) procedure is pretty much the same everywhere. That is one way to do it. The other way is to take MSF course where there is no minimum time period required.

I should have added that the minimum time period required in South Carolina is for riders under a certain age (I think 18 years but I can't remember at the moment). TCS, being way over the age limit, didn't have to wait.

I believe Highlander is confused with the wording cuz of ASL-English translation - "permit" as in "MSF will permit me to get a motorcycle license."

All the deaf people I know use the sign PERMIT (P-ALLOW) to mean learner's temporary, restricted driver's license. The idea is it gives a person "permission" to drive.

But I can see how that might be misunderstood.

 

[ncff07]

Just for clarification:

Prior to taking the MSF were you allowed to ride your motorcycle on public streets?

Can in North Carolina. Kinda scary, someone can go to the DMV and take/pass the written test and get the learners permit and be turned loose on the roads with a motorcycle even if they have never even been on one in their life.

 

[Reba]

Not always. In NC you CAN take the DMV written test and get a motorcycle learners permit without taking the skills test and drive a bike on the roads. The only restriction is that you can not have a passenger with a learners permit.

In SC, a learner can have a passenger but can't drive after dark.

You DO NOT have to have taken the written test at the DMV in order to take the MSF class. You can sign up for the class without ever having taken a bike test or even been on a bike before and the college furnishes bikes for the class. After taking the class you'd get a certificate to take to the DMV and they waive their bike skills test and you just have to pass the written test.

In SC, even if you get the MSF certificate, you still have to take the skills test.

The MSF class that TCS attended had a couple of loaner bikes but most people preferred to ride their own. Most of the riders had prior experience anyway.


Each state is soooo different.

 

[Reba]

Can in North Carolina. Kinda scary, someone can go to the DMV and take/pass the written test and get the learners permit and be turned loose on the roads with a motorcycle even if they have never even been on one in their life.

True that.

 

[Jiro]

Can in North Carolina. Kinda scary, someone can go to the DMV and take/pass the written test and get the learners permit and be turned loose on the roads with a motorcycle even if they have never even been on one in their life.

I just read North Carolina DMV. It stated that the rider must be licensed (automobile) prior to getting a motorcycle learner's permit. I wouldn't worry about it too much because I believe most people have common sense to ride it safely and not ride on highway.

 

[Endemic]

Jiro, I didnt have a perimt to go to take a MSF. I never had one before. After all my MSF class passed and got me a piece of paper to go to DMV to replace my license to put "M" on my license then I am good to go.

 

[Jiro]

Not always. In NC you CAN take the DMV written test and get a motorcycle learners permit without taking the skills test and drive a bike on the roads. The only restriction is that you can not have a passenger with a learners permit.

You DO NOT have to have taken the written test at the DMV in order to take the MSF class. You can sign up for the class without ever having taken a bike test or even been on a bike before and the college furnishes bikes for the class. After taking the class you'd get a certificate to take to the DMV and they waive their bike skills test and you just have to pass the written test.

Are you sure about that? MSF's Basic Rider Course requires the riders to have a learner permit prior to taking the course.

BRC

Successful completion of the BRC will earn you a skills waiver card for the NCDMV. This means the DMV will not require you to take their motorcycle riding test. You will still be required to visit your local DMV office and take their written exam before being issued a motorcycle endorsement.

 

[Jiro]

Jiro, I didnt have a perimt to go to take a MSF. I never had one before. After all my MSF class passed and got me a piece of paper to go to DMV to replace my license to put "M" on my license then I am good to go.

I just checked out Virginia's MSF. How ghastly - no learner's permit is needed but it makes sense since Virginia's MSF teaches you and certifies you in one place.

 

[Endemic]

I am lucky

 

[ncff07]

I just read North Carolina DMV. It stated that the rider must be licensed (automobile) prior to getting a motorcycle learner's permit. I wouldn't worry about it too much because I believe most people have common sense to ride it safely and not ride on highway.

Yea they have to have a valid auto license the learners permit is just an endorsement on their license. Have to have a valid regular license to take the MSF class to. When I took it the instructors made everyone show their drivers license the first 10 minutes of class. That and fill out a liability waiver for the college. Where I took it the college owns 12 bikes for the class. Those taking it can use their own if they want to but most dont which is a good thing for someone thats never driven a bike. If they lay it down on the course they dont have to pay to repair it. Most of the bikes when I took it were missing turn signals or they didnt even work. The instructor told us just to assume they worked.

 

[Jiro]

Most of the bikes when I took it were missing turn signals or they didnt even work. The instructor told us just to assume they worked.

same for headlight

 

[ncff07]

Are you sure about that? MSF's Basic Rider Course requires the riders to have a learner permit prior to taking the course.

BRC

Yup im sure. I did go to the DMV and take the written test and got the learners permit before I took the MSF class but it was just me and 2 others that had taken bikes tests before and one of those was from out of state.

 

[Reba]

Jiro, I didnt have a perimt to go to take a MSF. I never had one before. After all my MSF class passed and got me a piece of paper to go to DMV to replace my license to put "M" on my license then I am good to go.

Did you ride your bike to the MSF class or did you use a loaner bike that was provided by the class?

 

[Jiro]

Yup im sure. I did go to the DMV and take the written test and got the learners permit before I took the MSF class but it was just me and 2 others that had taken bikes tests before and one of those was from out of state.

ah. there you go then. It contradicted with your previous statement - "You DO NOT have to have taken the written test at the DMV in order to take the MSF class."

 

[ncff07]

same for headlight

That reminded me I dont think I saw any that were missing the complete headlight assembly but I noticed some that had duct tape over the front of the light.

 

[ncff07]

Sorry for the confusion there, you dont have to take it but I did.