PA motorcycle skills test?

[z'd up]

Just wondering if anyone has taken the PA motorcycle license test at the DMV and if so what is involved? My work schedule doesn't allow me time to take the class so I'm just gonna take the test next Wednesday.

[drkramm]

left circles, right circles, and figure eights


btw it is on the dmv's web page

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/faq/faq-mcpermit.shtml#Q12

[z'd up]

Ok thanks. One guy told me he had to check his lights without looking at his hands, do 3 figure 8s, and an abrupt stop while downshifting.

[PAFirefighter11]

Don't do that... Go take the Basic Rider Course or the Experience Rider Course. You learn TONS and you get your license if you pass the tests at the end of class. It's FREE and well worth your time!

http://www.pamsp.com/

[z'd up]

I would but like I said in my first post I don't have a set schedule. I work when they tell me to work so to get off 2 nights for 2 weeks would be nearly impossible. I don't have set days off.

[jpalamar]

Motorcycle Safety Course is the best thing out there. Personally, you shouldn't get a permit without taking it. Doens't matter if you rode dirt bikes all your life, the street is complely different.

[Got Insulin?]

Originally Posted by jpalamar

Motorcycle Safety Course is the best thing out there. Personally, you shouldn't get a permit without taking it. Doens't matter if you rode dirt bikes all your life, the street is complely different.

And, what's the point of that? You need the permit to take the course in the first place because you need to prove you have some basic knowledge about bikes.

[sleeper15]

Originally Posted by drkramm

left circles, right circles, and figure eights


btw it is on the dmv's web page

http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/faq/faq-mcpermit.shtml#Q12

good info, cause i've been thinking of learning to ride a motorcycle for a while now.

[jpalamar]

Originally Posted by Got Insulin?

And, what's the point of that? You need the permit to take the course in the first place because you need to prove you have some basic knowledge about bikes.

The permet test is a joke. You take a written test where the answer is always the most conserivive choice, then they say good luck.

Since it obviously wouldn't be safe to have someone on the bike with a noob rider, why not require anyone who wants a bike to take the course first before any road riding is done.

Just like a car, they don't say good luck, you have to drive with an experience driver until you pass the test.

[PAFirefighter11]

Permit & conservative! :P

[drkramm]

i love how everyone tells ya to take the rider safety course


when twice you say you don't have a flexible enough schedule to take said class


i can't wait for the day when people read a post all the way through

i rode 3 years before taking the saftey course and while a fun course and easy way to get your license i learned nothing from it ... not a useless class but just because you take it doesn't stop you or other people from being stupid

[2002stanggt]

Originally Posted by drkramm

i love how everyone tells ya to take the rider safety course


when twice you say you don't have a flexible enough schedule to take said class


i can't wait for the day when people read a post all the way through

i rode 3 years before taking the saftey course and while a fun course and easy way to get your license i learned nothing from it ... not a useless class but just because you take it doesn't stop you or other people from being stupid

You didn't learn anything from it because you already knew how to ride and had been riding for 3 years. I took it when I never rode before and it def helped.

[Vypurr]

Can anyone point out what is on this written test? I am sure it's easy just like the normal car permit test. I just don't wanna be the fool who goes in with no idea what to expect.

[dwl137]

If you want to look over the manual they give you to "study" for the test it's available online here: http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/pdotforms...als/PUB147.pdf

[snackman508]

the permit is not as easy as people make it out to be, there are a ton of trick questions. and z'd up, just take the rider safety course its very good. JK

[z'd up]

Haha well quick update. I took my test and passed at the Lancaster DMV

[SniperGrl]

I have never ridden a motorcycle before and I took the BRC. Best class you can take and it's free. To the poster above, I am unsure how long ago you took the course but I definitely learned a lot. I took the course recently (within the past couple months) and the class learned how to swerve properly, how to change lanes, the friction zone, how to ride over obstacles, etc. How can you NOT have time? They have very flexible schedules and the classroom instruction is held in the evenings. You can span it out over 2 weeks or take it all back to back (4-days total).

The actual test (through the course) was not too difficult but was not easy -- especially after riding 6 hours already. It was 3 or 4 phases IIRC. You do the 2 U-turns (Figure 8) then speed to swerve and end in a controlled stop. A lot of people who took the course failed this because they fell and/or dropped the bike. I will be making the time to take the advanced riding course next season.

[SniperGrl]

Originally Posted by Vypurr

Can anyone point out what is on this written test? I am sure it's easy just like the normal car permit test. I just don't wanna be the fool who goes in with no idea what to expect.

The written test is pretty similar to the permit just more in depth. A lot of it is common sense about riding gear, alcohol, and what to do in certain situations. The trickiest questions on the test (for me anyway) were regarding weight distribution, different mirror types, and taking turns/corners.

[fkranich23]

I took the rider course and it was incredibly easy. it took about four days of two hour classes. free and i got my mc license.

[Ender81]

Originally Posted by Vypurr

Can anyone point out what is on this written test? I am sure it's easy just like the normal car permit test. I just don't wanna be the fool who goes in with no idea what to expect.

Stop off at the DMV and grab the booklet for it. Read through the book once and you'll pass no problem.

Originally Posted by drkramm

i love how everyone tells ya to take the rider safety course


when twice you say you don't have a flexible enough schedule to take said class

I read all the posts and I am going to stick with if you don't know how to ride on the street then take the class it's worth it. Talk to your boss and see if he can work something out with your schedule. I think they have a weekend only option etc..

It really is your best option. If you already knew how to ride you wouldn't have to worry about the skills test and wouldn't need the class anyway.