PA MC license test?

[ChicsterMG]

You call it a test????
My supply sergeant went for his license yesterday. I recommended he take the MSF, but apparently he knows better than his senior NCO and generally much more experienced rider. (Not to mention it's required by the Army for all Active Duty personnel)
Anyway, he took a 30 question multiple choice test and the riding portion only required him to do 3 figure 8's. That's it!!!
How does this test a riders ability to handle a bike or react to an emergency or adjust for a mishap??!???

He has no formal instruction other than me letting him ride the Honda Shadow around the Amory parking lot twice for about a half hour each time.
He then went out and bought a Vulcan 800, when I recommended he buy a smaller bike to start.
I have ridden with him and he has much to learn! Like taking corners way too wide and braking while rounding curves.

I think PA should really reconsider it's testing policy for MC licensing. Just my thought. Any other PA riders take the test without the MSF course?

[Rockhead]

Originally Posted by ChicsterMG

You call it a test????
My supply sergeant went for his license yesterday. I recommended he take the MSF, but apparently he knows better than his senior NCO and generally much more experienced rider. (Not to mention it's required by the Army for all Active Duty personnel)
Anyway, he took a 30 question multiple choice test and the riding portion only required him to do 3 figure 8's. That's it!!!
How does this test a riders ability to handle a bike or react to an emergency or adjust for a mishap??!???

He has no formal instruction other than me letting him ride the Honda Shadow around the Amory parking lot twice for about a half hour each time.
He then went out and bought a Vulcan 800, when I recommended he buy a smaller bike to start.
I have ridden with him and he has much to learn! Like taking corners way too wide and braking while rounding curves.

I think PA should really reconsider it's testing policy for MC licensing. Just my thought. Any other PA riders take the test without the MSF course?

I agree they should improve the course. Something was mentioned in another thread which I liked, I think it was Canada, which mentioned that they would start requiring different classes of licenses for larger cc engines. Thus making the person perform their skills on the bike they would actually be riding.

As far as an 800 Vulcan? I don’t think that’s too bad of a bike to start off on. Everyone has to start somewhere.

[md2lgyk]

I agree they should improve the course. Something was mentioned in another thread which I liked, I think it was Canada, which mentioned that they would start requiring different classes of licenses for larger cc engines. Thus making the person perform their skills on the bike they would actually be riding.

Washington State's motorcycle licensing used to be that way though I don't think it is any more. You got a license for whatever size of bike you took the riding test with. I took it in '76 and again in '94 (after moving away for a few years). It was the only test I've ever taken that was actually harder than the MSF final.

[tlwisner]

Drivers licenses and Motorcycle licenses are both insanely easy to get in the US. That's why there are stupid wrecks all over the place.

Training is a good thing for any rider. Too bad the state doesn't offer driving courses...

[Philly Rider]

I took the MFS course. There were a few folks in the course who took the test, failed it and decided to take the MSF course. My guess is that it depends heavily on who is giving the test and perhaps what part of the State you are in. Urban areas may be "stricter" - who knows because as I say that I have seen a lot of clowns (squids) riding around the city that have no business being on a bike - but they may also not have a license!

[Shea]

The test at the end of the MSF course is def harder than that. We had to do U-turns in a tight box, emergency braking and emergency swerving. There was probably 1 person who passed that should not have. One more point and she would have failed. Another guy who failed, who put his feet down for almost every manuever, left on a Harley Deluxe. LOL I guess if people want to put themselves at risk, then I suppose they are entitled too. Just hope they don't take anyone out with them.

[ChicsterMG]

I agree. I took the MSF and it definitely was harder than what he took.
There shouldn't, in my opinioin, be difference in the test depending on who give it or where it's taken. I would think there should be a standard to the testing.

No wonder PA has so many squids and MC accidents and fatalities.

[bluem50]

I took the MSF course in DE 5/05. Of the 12 people in my class 5 of them failed ...it was a very demanding course, but a life-saver. Anyone who rides should take this course no matter how long you have been riding.
P.S. Yes I passed!

[MagnumForce]

I took the test for my MC endorsement when I was on leave in CA March of last year. It consisted of a 30 question MC test and half of the class C test (about 20 questions), IIRC. The riding test was conducted on the parking lot outside the DMV and was a series of circles, weaves, and riding a straight line while remaining within the parallel lines spaced 2 feet apart. I passed the test, though it seemed something was missing.

About 3 months later, I took the MSF BRC as required for Department of Defense members to ride in military installations. The interaction between class and instructors and the practice sessions on the parking lot were valuable. I learned a lot more from that course than I ever did just reading the book and attempting to practice the maneuvers on my own. I truly felt that I was a better rider because of the MSF course and I would not hesitate to recommend this class to aspiring riders.

[ChicsterMG]

Here's a tidbit I got from the PA ABATE web site.

90% of riders involved in motorcycle crashes have not taken any motorcycle safety training course.
33% of riders killed in motorcycle crashes are not properly licensed.
60% of fatal motorcycle crashes occur on curvy rural roads.
Alcohol use is involved in a majority of single vehicle motorcycle crashes.

[ZukiChaos]

Oddly enough the the MSF course test had me do figure 8's in the box--and I crossed the lines, but with every other test I passed with flying colors...and got my license. Now that I hear this I wonder if I would have gotten my license with the state exam. No matter what--the MSF course was educational & a substantial learning tool for me.

[cougar28]

You think your test was easy. I took my so called Arkansas test in Dec. of last year 10 MC questions that a 10 year old could pass. 30 days later took the riding test thought now this is where it going to get hard WRONG. They had one cone set out in the parking lot. The lady tells me to to go around the cone and make a quick stop when I get back to her. So after I stop she says great job you pass. I'm thinking to myself why do they make anyone take a test.LOL

[inspiron]

Maybe you could contact the local motor-vehicles department, and let them know how other countries test their riders. Here's what I went through:

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...3&postcount=22

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by ChicsterMG

Here's a tidbit I got from the PA ABATE web site.

90% of riders involved in motorcycle crashes have not taken any motorcycle safety training course.

In Kentucky, the DOT says that only 10% of riders have taken any MSF course.

[tlwisner]

Originally Posted by inspiron

Maybe you could contact the local motor-vehicles department, and let them know how other countries test their riders. Here's what I went through:

http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...3&postcount=22

The DMV people are caring and devoted individuals.


You do not have to demonstrate any ability to ride on the street to get an MC license here.

[RelicRider]

The training doesn't end when the course is over. Although based on what you have said he may be getting and lesson in hard Knocks. SOON! I took the Safety course thinking it would have some good pointers, now I think it should be manditory. Being this is a state where brain buckets are optional. Safety or Votes--- you decide.

[maddog20/20]

Out of shear curiosity, I took my Roadliner to the local DMV to attempt the circles. Not going to happen! This monsters wheelbase is to long to stay within the lines while turning @ full lock. Ca. needs to revise it's course to allow for longer/larger bikes.

[jkersh]

In OK I took a twenty question test and then a riding test. The instructor drove behind me and used his signals on his car when he wanted me to turn. We went about six blocks. Not hard at all. My dad went to the same guy a couple of weeks later and he did not have to take a riding test. Probably depends what day of the week you go and how the instructor is feeling.

[maddog20/20]

I think OK has the correct test. Real driving situations. To have a proctor follow behind in a vehicle allows them to observe the motorcycle operator out on the streets where they will actually be riding. Good idea!

[inspiron]

There are two licenses over here - the "A" restricted to 34 horsepower, and the "A" unrestricted.

For the "A" restricted, the inspector will follow you in a car, giving you directions through a radio. You are given a back-pack to wear with the radio (walkie-talkie) inside, and an earphone that fits in your ear (under the helmet).

For the unrestricted test, the expert rides pillion, giving you directions by tapping your left or right arm. If you get to a roundabout (traffic circle), the expert holds up fingers to let you know which exit to take.