Ohio's much like NC. Learners permit is obtained with only a written test. There are a few limitations (no passenger, no riding after dark, no divided highways & helmet required.) Good for 6 months. If you take the MSF you get your endorsement after completion...no more testing. However, you cannot take the class w/o the learners permit. It's interesting that apparently not all states give you time to get comfortable with your bike before the "big test"

BT

Sounds like a patchwork across the country.

In ON you write a test to get a learner's permit. For the MC endorsement, you take the Motorcycle Safety Course or do a road test with DMV.

Doc

Txlineman914 wrote:
Here in Texas we can take a Motorcycle safety course for 165 dollars. Once you pass that you go to the dmv and take the written portion of the test and the riding part is waived with the safety course completion card.

This is how I got my "M" here in VA!

Here in PA, you pay $7 for a permit which allows you to ride (minus passenger) for up to a year...part of the permit fee goes to pay for the MSF classes which are free to PA residents...when you pass the MSF class they stamp your permit and you are good to go...no further testing. You can still take the PennDOT test but that makes no sense given the no cost MSF class...

Ride Safe!

Regards, Ted

Here in NY its a written test for your permit which is good for 1 year. No one mentioned this, but here you can only ride your bike with another licensed motorcyclist. Which of course I do all the time.

I just took my 4 day rider safety course last week which not only waives your road test but gives you an insurance reduction. Once I get my paperwork back from the state all I have to do is take it to the DMV and I'll be legal on the spot.

Here in AZ you can take a MSF class with nothing but $285 in your hand. They give you a written test, you practice and take a road test on a closed course. They give you a certificate you can go down to DMV to get your endorsement. It is three days. Day one is classroom (about 4 hours) and at the end of the class you take the written. Day 2 (about 8 hours) is practice on a bike (usually a 250cc bike). Day 3 (about 8 hours) is more practice and at the class you take a test. If you pass you get a waiver certificate so you don't have to take the permit or road test at DMV. If you fail, they let you take the class again at no cost.

Michigan, take written gets you a temp cycle you than have to pass the road test,
or you can take MC training class and you are all done..
the road test here is probably similar all across the country but if you do not know how to friction the clutch and drag the brake you won't pass with a cruiser.. course is tight..
Glad I got my cycle endorsement early 80's on a smaller bike the course seemed easy back then.
i have gone up to the college campus that they due the classes and road the course, that got me to practice all the tight turns and twisty's much better since doing that.

Wow ya'll got it hard! Here in Alabama if you are 16 years or older you can just take a 25 question written test and they hand you a license, no road course or experience needed. A 15 year old can get a license and ride a scooter under a certain size with no passenger, used to be a 14 year old could get a scooter license.....I rode for a couple of years without a motorcycle endorsement, then I decided I would need one if I traveled outside the state of Alabama, 10 years ago seemed no one cared here in my area, so I got mine and was supprized to see that experience or road course was not required......on the other hand if you try to obtain that Alabama Commercial Drivers Liscense you better know your stuff and have yourself in gear, I just got my CDL's this past year, that was a tough test.....RIP I can drive from 2-18 wheels myself, would rather drive the 2-wheeler more!

RIPBiker13 wrote:
I have a CDL AND Motorcycle on my license. I can drive ANY vehicle on the road from 2 to 18+ wheels.

Same here, RIP. I'm holding a Class A CDL, and here in Texas (and I'm sure several other places as well), if you take the Motorcycle Safety course, all you have to do after that, is head down to the DPS office, and take the written exam. Then, you'll get the M.

Glad I got my MC license 30 years ago before some bureaucrat came up with all these goofy ideas.