Getting your license

[tomleecee]

Hi. I'm interested to know about the different ways you can qualify to ride a bike in other parts of the world. I'm convinced that the UK's system is one of the most complicated and drawn out in the world, so I'll explain it here. Once you've baulked at it, maybe you could tell me how the process compares to where you live.

Step 1: The CBT (Compulsory Basic Training). The CBT is a compulsory 1 day course that anyone wanting to ride a bike must take. It consists of about an hour of theory (rules of the road, how to maintain your bike etc), and about 4-6 hours of practical training. This training involves parts a and b. Part a is learning to control the bike, usually riding around cones in a closed-off car park or school playground. After that, part b is a ride around on open roads under supervision of a tutor. Once you've proven that you're safe on the road, you get a certificate saying that you're good to ride. However, with this CBT certificate, you can only ride up to a 125cc bike (or a scooter if you did it on one of those) and must display 'L' (Learner) plates. The certificate lasts for 2 years, and must be done again if you do not go on to do your full licence within that time...

You can stop there if you're happy with a 125 and 'L' plates, but if you want a big bike and want rid of those damned 'L' plates, you must continue on to:

Step 2: The Driving Theory Test. This is a multiple choice test done on a computer in a test centre. It asks you a series of questions on road safety and rules of the road. There is also a 'hazard perception' section, where you are shown a series of video clips and you must click a mouse button every time you spot a potentially dangerous situation developing (such as a car changing lanes in front of you etc). Once you pass this, you move on to 'Module 1' Practical test...

Step 3: Mod 1. Mod 1 is basically a more involved version of the CBT. You must carry out a series of manoeuvres under test conditions at a certified test centre with an examiner marking you. The manoeuvres include riding in a figure of 8 around cones and doing several controlled stops and swerve tests. Touching a cone or putting your foot down during any of the manoeuvres is an instant fail, as is a skid during the emergency stop. Pass this, and it's on to Mod 2...

Step 4: Mod 2. Mod 2 is basically a driving test on open roads. The examiner will follow you on his/her bike and just get you to turn left, right, pull in, move off etc and always be watching for your mistakes.

Pass this, and you've got your full license! However...if you passed your test on a 125cc, you're limited to a 33bhp bike for 2 years after passing.

Bear in mind that most people also have to have several hours of training with an instructor and you're talking a lot of money and time for all these tests and training.

Complicated? Yes! Full of stupid rules? Yes! Expensive? Hell yes! Does the process where you are match this convoluted mess?

Apparently, there are even more rules and tests being introduced in the next couple of years as UK legislation come in line with the rest of Europe, so the number of people trying to get their license prior to this change has increased exponentially.

Let me know what you think!

[Badlands-4-2]

In North Dakota, USA....
Take fairly easy written test and get your learners permit. This is good for 6 months and allows you to ride any size bike you want, but no passengers and only in daylight hours. If you are under 18 you must wear a helmet. Then you can either take a class that will last 2-3 days of combined riding and classroom or take a riding skills test at the Department of Motor Vehicles. Do that and you are a fully licensed rider. It sounds like our system is much easier, but still there are MANY unlicensed riders in the USA.

[distantThunder]

"Complicated? Yes! Full of stupid rules? Yes! Expensive? Hell yes! Does the process where you are match this convoluted mess?"

Still not as complicated as trying to find your way onto the M4 motorway in London ... especially in the correct direction that you want to drive :-)

Something about England seems to lead to convoluted ways of doing things.
Perhaps you should inform Parliament that the Vikings have stopped attacking the coast. No need to confuse the invaders any more :-)

dT

[tomleecee]

Ha! Cheers distantThunder - Iagree. I'm dispatching a horserider with this message to London at once!

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Florida, USA - You're only required to have a motorcycle license if you're stopped by the cops.

[curtis41]

Originally Posted by Eye_m_no_angel

Florida, USA - You're only required to have a motorcycle license if you're stopped by the cops.

I know that is true. My son rode for about 6 years on his Hog before he got a license. They change the rules to a two day course and he just did not schedule the required course. I pestered him a bit and he now has his regular license. You don't even have to get your license AFTER you are stopped by the cops. Don't ask me how I know.

[Dodsfall]

Originally Posted by Eye_m_no_angel

Florida, USA - You're only required to have a motorcycle license if you're stopped by the cops.

I think a lot of riders here follow the same theory. Of course when they get stopped, they wish they had the license while their motorcycle is getting towed away and they have to walk home.

[Kiwi Steve]

Tomleecee, I like the sound of the UK system, bikers going through it should be more competent.

Here in New Zealand we have something similar, a multi-tier system of Learners license, Restricted license and Full license.

First you must do a 1 hour Basic Skills test, this is low speed straight line and cornering, braking within distance, figure 8s etc. Then you sit a multi-guess computer test, 33 out of 35 and you've got your Learner's License. This means you can currently ride a bike up to 250 cc between 5.00 am and 10.00 pm, no pillion. This lasts 6 months. In October the bike size goes up to approved 660 cc max bikes with a power to weight ratio of less than 150 kW/tonne.

After at least 6 months on your learners you can take a road test and move on to your Restricted License. This involves a mix of urban and open road riding with the tester following and giving instructions over a radio earpiece. Pass your restricted license and you can ride anytime but still can't take a pillion. You are still restricted to the 250 cc bike, or later the 660 cc max bike for the period of your restricted license. The restricted license lasts 18 months if you are under 25, 12 months if you are over 25. You can get this time halved by completeing a defensive driver's course.

When able to, you take another test ride, mixed urban and open road, tester following, radio earpiece, and then you get your Full License. Now you can go out and buy a bigger bike (no restriction) and carry a pillion.

We also have an automatic injury insurance scheme (Accident Compensation Corporation) which covers injuries at work and on the road - it is covered by a fuel levy, and in the case of motorcycles by a registration levy. Bikers are 14 times more likely to be injured on the road, mainly the fault of cagers LOL but still much more likely to be injured or killed.

[ReconLdr]

When I got my MC endorsement in North Carolina in 1992 it went something like this:

DMV - Can I help you?

Me - My Pa Drivers License and MC Learners permit are about to expire. I'm stationed here at Camp Lejeune.

DMV - Fill these out and bring them back with your cards.

10 minutes later**

Me - Here you go

DMV - Here is your camera card, go sit over there and get your picture taken... wait, didn't you say you wanted to ride a MC too???

Me - Yes.

DMV - [checks a block on the computer and reprints camera card] here you go sir, have a good day.

That's it, no test, no riding and I had my MC endorsement on a NC drivers license.

Now here in Pa, it is a little different. We have 2 ways to get the license:

Traditional -

1) Take computer based test for learners permit

2) Ride any bike you want just not at night, no passengers, helmet required for up to a year.

3) Take riding skills test within the year or renew permit.

I know a few guys who have just been renewing their permit every year for about 10 years.

Non-Traditional

1) Take computer based test for learners permit

2) Schedule and complete the "free" Basic Riders Course. You graduate with your motorcycle endorsement. No need to go to the DMV until your photo card expires.

[DuckyTopTN]

After riding many years without a MC license (for shame I know) I decided to take the ERC before I took a long trip to another state where I would be spending several says on the bike, to be safe and official. 4 1/2 hours later I had certificate in hand, drove car to DOT Monday and got picture taken and new M endorsement along with the D, F and CDL. That easy breezy!

[Eye_m_no_angel]

Originally Posted by Dodsfall

I think a lot of riders here follow the same theory. Of course when they get stopped, they wish they had the license while their motorcycle is getting towed away and they have to walk home.

Yeap. I was thinking of a friend of mine when I wrote that. The guy hasn't had a valid license in...maybe.....6 years? He got stopped and arrested a few days ago for no license (and a few old warrants and OFA's) and then he's all mad at the cops and the system. I mean really dude, it's not like you didn't KNOW you had to get that stuff taken care of. It was all in fun until you got pegged.

Some times you just have to laugh, yanno?

[aaronrkelly]

Originally Posted by tomleecee

Let me know what you think!

I like the process.....but I dont see why it needs to take all that time. Instead of so many steps.....so many different instructors......so much money they could make it simpler.....it needs less bureaucracy.

Why on gods earth dont they toss it into one basic skills test and run everyone through it.....and be done.

[Gandalf]

Indiana's fairly similar to North Dakota. You take a written test for your permit, which is good for a year and allows you to ride any bike during the day, with a helmet, without a passenger.

For the actual license you have two options.
1) schedule a test, show up on your bike, and run through half a dozen or so exercises in a parking lot with an instructor. And take another written test. Costs around $30 or so.

2) Take an approved MSF class that includes the test. I like this option 'cause it gives you an insurance discount as well. Back when I got my license I took the abate class...it was $75, three days (day 1, watching videos and doing written crap, day two, practicing, day 3, written and riding tests). You use their bikes (mostly 125s and 250s).

Incidentally, in Indiana if I understand the legalities correctly, you're not require to have a license or a permit to drive a scooter. (Hence the reason all the idiots who lost their licenses due to DUIs get scooters.)

[DuckyTopTN]

In Tennessee I took the expert Rider Course where testers ride their own machines and in '08 it was $100. You are correct about the insurance discount plus the certificate which entitled me to just go get the license. The fees for beginner and expert rider continue to increase here as it was $100 in '03 (ERC was $75) and last I looked beginner was $225.

[spacejunkiehsv]

In Alabama, the motorcycle endorsement was already on my drivers license (for driving a regular car). Other than that, all I had to do was to pay my sales taxes and get the motorcycle insured to be completely legal. I guess they figure that on a bike, you can't do as much harm as in a car. I didn't have to pay anything or get any training. Sweet Home Alabama