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**inspiron** · 10-10-2005, 02:31 AM

From the sounds of it, no one here would be able to pass the Swiss MC driving test.

I've posted it before, but ...

First you apply for a learner's permit - where you either need a valid car driver's license or proof that you attended a first-aid course and pass a theory test.

You can drive 3 months with the permit, but you must have a big blue plate with a white L on the back of the bike, and you aren't allowed to leave the country or carry a passenger who doesn't have a valid MC license. During the first three months, you must attend an 8-hour basic course given by a certified driving instructor. When the instructor puts his stamp on your permit, it is then automatically extended for one year.

During that time, you should take driving lessons and get as much experience as possible. When you feel you are ready, you apply for the manuever test. When you get the invitation/appointment, you need to show up in full gear and a street-legal bike. The bike will be checked - lights, horn, tread depth, etc. If it isn't 100% legal, you fail immedately, without ever leaving the parking lot.

The first test demonstrates that you can operate the bike - you have to look at the inspector, and he says "blinker left" - without looking down, you have to turn on the left blinker. Same then with the horn, high beam, etc.

Next, you go up to the testing grounds - there are 5 tests to pass.
- Starting and stopping on hills (uphill and downhill)
- Slalom
- Circle and Figure-8
- Slow lane (50 feet in no less than 15 seconds)
- Emergency stop from 30mph

When you park the bike, the inspector will also check if you have secured it properly - is it in 1st gear, and pushed forward against the gear so that it can't roll forward and cause the kickstand to fold...

If the inspector feels that you have mastered these manuevers, you will then be given permission to apply for a road test.

For the road test (usually a few weeks later) the inspector gears up and rides as a passenger on your bike. (That's why any bike used for testing must have 2 seats). You are out in residential neighborhoods with uncontrolled intersections, industrial areas with blind intersections, and in the hills doing some twisties. If you master all of these challenges, you get the full endorsement.

The worst part is that hardly anyone passes on the first try, and each time you take the test it costs you about $50. And an hour with a driving instructor costs about $75. I estimate my two bike licenses (the 125 license in 2002, and the unlimited license in 2004) cost me over $1000. (But honestly, it was worth every cent!)

10-10-2005, 02:31 AM	#31 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,743	From the sounds of it, no one here would be able to pass the Swiss MC driving test. I've posted it before, but ... First you apply for a learner's permit - where you either need a valid car driver's license or proof that you attended a first-aid course and pass a theory test. You can drive 3 months with the permit, but you must have a big blue plate with a white L on the back of the bike, and you aren't allowed to leave the country or carry a passenger who doesn't have a valid MC license. During the first three months, you must attend an 8-hour basic course given by a certified driving instructor. When the instructor puts his stamp on your permit, it is then automatically extended for one year. During that time, you should take driving lessons and get as much experience as possible. When you feel you are ready, you apply for the manuever test. When you get the invitation/appointment, you need to show up in full gear and a street-legal bike. The bike will be checked - lights, horn, tread depth, etc. If it isn't 100% legal, you fail immedately, without ever leaving the parking lot. The first test demonstrates that you can operate the bike - you have to look at the inspector, and he says "blinker left" - without looking down, you have to turn on the left blinker. Same then with the horn, high beam, etc. Next, you go up to the testing grounds - there are 5 tests to pass. - Starting and stopping on hills (uphill and downhill) - Slalom - Circle and Figure-8 - Slow lane (50 feet in no less than 15 seconds) - Emergency stop from 30mph When you park the bike, the inspector will also check if you have secured it properly - is it in 1st gear, and pushed forward against the gear so that it can't roll forward and cause the kickstand to fold... If the inspector feels that you have mastered these manuevers, you will then be given permission to apply for a road test. For the road test (usually a few weeks later) the inspector gears up and rides as a passenger on your bike. (That's why any bike used for testing must have 2 seats). You are out in residential neighborhoods with uncontrolled intersections, industrial areas with blind intersections, and in the hills doing some twisties. If you master all of these challenges, you get the full endorsement. The worst part is that hardly anyone passes on the first try, and each time you take the test it costs you about $50. And an hour with a driving instructor costs about $75. I estimate my two bike licenses (the 125 license in 2002, and the unlimited license in 2004) cost me over $1000. (But honestly, it was worth every cent!) __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400 Last edited by inspiron; 10-10-2005 at 02:35 AM.