What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

  • Mcdroid
  • Mcdroid's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Gone Kwackers
  • Posts: 6859
  • Thanks: 505

Re: What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

Yesterday 10:07
#926279
I first obtained a motorcycle license endorsement in 1975 in California when I purchased my Z1B. It consisted on a written test followed by a simple riding test through a road course. When I moved to Texas, the motorcycle endorsement (class M endorsement) automatically transferred to my Texas license...and I still retain it. Somewhere in the middle years, I moved to Guam and the M endorsement automatically transferred to the Guam drivers license. Then moved to Florida where the M endorsement transferred to the Florida license. Then back to Texas, where the M endorsement transferred to my Texas license. Prior to purchasing the Z1B, I rode Hondas in California and Wisconsin with no motorcycle endorsement...apparently it wasn't required way back then. 
Michael
Victoria, Texas

1982 GPz750
1977 KZ1000A
1978 KZ1000A
1982 GPz1100
1975 Z2A

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • riturbo
  • riturbo's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Sustaining Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 839
  • Thanks: 342

Re: What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

Yesterday 10:50
#926282
In Rhode island you have to go to a class . Then get a permit that lets you ride with another motorcycle . Then after 30 days you can go get the m on your licence. If you come from another state they let you transfer your endorsement to your new licence.
Gpz 750 turbo The one I ride
Gpz 750 turbo Not finished
Gpz 750 turbo Not started
Gpz 550 1981
Gpz 550 1983
Bunch of other junk

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Wookie58
  • Wookie58's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Moderator
  • Moderator
    Registered
  • Posts: 6615
  • Thanks: 4172

Re: What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

Yesterday 10:52 - Yesterday 10:56
#926283
Wookie58 in the UK : “L” plates and intake restrictors? With a car you can drive at 17 on "L" plates with a qualified driver sitting next to you. You can only drive alone once you have a full licence and are 18. No intake restrictors on cars but this is because anyone with a job can get a credit for a 200mph bike where as only a tiny minority could buy cars with that performance level. When I was a teenager we could ride a 250 on "L" plates but as bikes got faster (LC, X7 etc) it was lowered to 125. The crazy part back then was you could put "L" plates on a Z1300 if it had a sidecar which is what launched the "sidewinder" as a loophole (it served no other purpose. !!!!
Hardrock in British Columbia :   A knowledge test then a road test followed by an examiner.
MFP-Joe in Germany :  Twelve special sessions and sixteen hours of classroom.

I’ve gotta wonder: Are these requirements for motorcycle licensure significantly more rigorous those for automobiles and light trucks in your jurisdictions?

I believe that Slmjim+Z1BEBE’s experience in Kentucky is pretty representative of motorcycling licensure in the USA.
That is:
Motorcycle endorsement required. Learner’s permits are available with varying restrictions.
Perfunctory riding test given by the Department of Motor Vehicles which, in most localities, can be avoided by taking an approved safety class.
Liability Insurance.
Varying equipment requirements, Helmets, Eye protection, etc.
Bill

 
Last edit: Yesterday 10:56 by Wookie58.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • TexasKZ
  • TexasKZ's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 8311
  • Thanks: 2747

Re: What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

Yesterday 12:41
#926289
So are you saying that a US drivers license isn’t National?
The U.S. is a confederation of fifty sovereign states and a handful of territories. Until the mid-twentieth century, the federal government had very little authority beyond collectively negotiating treaties, imposing trade tariffs and declaring war, but each of those requires an agreement of a majority of the states. In fact, there was no national tax of any sort until 1913, and that required 3/4 of the states to agree to amending the U.S. Constitution to legalize it.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/620336...amateur-build-thread
The following user(s) said Thank You: Wookie58

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • TexasKZ
  • TexasKZ's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 8311
  • Thanks: 2747

Re: What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

Yesterday 13:08 - Yesterday 13:09
#926290
Texas update.

For folks who have no motorcycle endorsement from another state or territory, successful completion of an MSF course is required and for riders under 18, a skills test and completion of a certified driver's education course for automobiles are also required.

www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/motorcycle-license
 
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/620336...amateur-build-thread
Last edit: Yesterday 13:09 by TexasKZ.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Kelly E
  • Kelly E's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Never Give Up. Never Surrender
  • Posts: 553
  • Thanks: 465

Re: What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

Yesterday 15:28
#926296
In Washington State you have to take a written test. Get a learners permit. I'm not sure of the permit restrictions. After that take a skills test. 
Too many deductions and you don't pass. You can retest within 30 days if you flunk. If you fail again you start all over.
I got my endorsement back in 17'. I rode my 84' Sabre 700S with fairing and hard bags. The other 3 people owned Harley's but rented Yamaha BW 200's for the test. They barely passed on the little bikes and were going home to ride their big ass Harley's. The instructor thanked me for being able pass the test on a big bike. He said way too many people rent the little bikes for testing. He couldn't remember the last time someone took the test on a Harley.
The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda Sabre 700
1984 Honda Interceptor 1000
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000
1994 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours

And more
The following user(s) said Thank You: Wookie58

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • rickysnicker
  • rickysnicker's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 82
  • Thanks: 25

Re: What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

Yesterday 16:03
#926299
The motorcycle "test" for me was having a connection at the DMV and having the M1 put on my license.  I passed the test with a 98%!  LOL!!!!
The following user(s) said Thank You: Wookie58

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Kelly E
  • Kelly E's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Never Give Up. Never Surrender
  • Posts: 553
  • Thanks: 465

Re: What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

Today 17:32
#926300
I took all of the tests and got a 98% on the written test and 100% on the skills test. A real skill test is slow speed maneuvers on a 700lb Concours with a full 7.5 gallon gas tank. It brings a whole new meaning to top heavy.
The Rust Bros. Garage Collection
1974 Honda CB 550 K0
1975 Honda CB 400F Super Sport
1977 Kawasaki KZ 1000 LTD
1978 Kawasaki KL 250
1980 Suzuki GS 1100E
1983 Honda CB 1100F
1984 Honda Sabre 700
1984 Honda Interceptor 1000
1990 Moto Guzzi 1000
1994 Kawasaki ZG 1000 Concours

And more
The following user(s) said Thank You: Wookie58

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • asphalt900
  • asphalt900's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Sustaining Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 1834
  • Thanks: 1245

Re: What's it take to get licensed where you ride?

Today 00:25
#926302
Wow, outside of the states, WAAAY more complex!! I got my license for car and motorcycle both back when i was 16yrs old. No restrictions of displacement or hours of operation here in Kansas. Once you get your motorcycle endorsement it's good for the rest of your driving life. Just have to pay a fee of something like 5bucks every 4 years when renewal is due. No additional driving skills testing or written test required, just money. But if you ever drop it and don't pay the 5bucks you do have to start over with written and skills testing required. I've been driving commercial trucks for years but as long as you're not driving trucks with air brakes the car license is good enough. Of course also limits of GVW apply too. A yearly medical card required though if commercial.    
The following user(s) said Thank You: KZQ

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: Street Fighter LTD
Powered by Kunena Forum