With gas prices going real high in the 50 states driving a car seems like costly, so many people are getting scooters and motorcycles as an alternative. For scooters you do not need a license but motorcycles you need a license. My dad and a friend told me getting a motorcycle license is really harder than getting a car license. Is it true?
If it is, how can l get a cycle license without much trouble?

The truthful answer to that question is that it probably depends upon ur age & the state where u live. Check ur state is website for information - the Department of Motor Vehicles typically regulates licensing. Usually there is a Rules of the Road handbook - sometimes a different one just for motorcyclists, or else a supplement to the regular book - get that.

The problem with state licensing is that it really does not prepare u for motorcycling on the street. If at all possible, take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class - they offer both novice & advanced courses. This not only will prepare u better for ur license exam, but in many states an MSF certificate can get u a discount on ur motorcycle insurance. The course may or may not be free, depending upon whether ur state subsidizes the training courses with money from ur license fees.

An excellent resource for u might be the American Motorcyclist Association.

Nope. Its not hard at all in MA. l just got my licence through the MSF course & l had only tried riding a dirtbike twice before. One of those times l crashed it into a tree. But no, the MSF course is much harder than getting it through the RMV & l still passed my first time around with no experience at all. My friend had his permit for over a year (probably a good option for u till u know how to ride better) & finally got his license this summer. He only had to do a few wide turns & shift & make sure the bike had working signals & all. He said it was really easy. But it may not be a bad idea to ride with ur permit for awhile before getting the license anyway. Does not change much except u do not endanger a passenger & can not ride when its dark. Good luck!!

WRONG!

any scooter that exceeds 30mph regardless of engine size needs the M/C endorsement. ONLY 50cc or less scooter that do not exceed 30mph qualify as a Moped and do not need the endorsement.

The test is easy. read the book, test in the DMV parking lot, Or sign up for your cities MSF course where they give you the endorsement when you complete it.

What state?
E-mail me!

l found this Q while searching for info on the motorcycle road test since l also have opted to purchase a motorcycle for the exact same reason (the high cost of gas ) so l will share my experiences thus far.

l researched a lot of scooters & they were not really what l was looking for since u r limited to 35MPH & lower roads (in Virginia) & found the Yamaha TW200 fat-tired bike would suit my needs ( l like to call it an off-road all-terrain scooter that gets 75MPG :)

l purchased it about 2 weeks ago w/o a license & added it to my insurance for just barely over $200/yr, they said l had a max of 30 days to register it & acquire a license for it. Since l got it brand-new the dealer is taking care of the state registration & license plates so that is a convenience.

So l headed over to my state is dmv driver services web site http://dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/drivers/index.asp & there were several helpful links under ''Motorcycle License'' to get me started. Apparently l need to add the ''M'' class designation to my current automobile drivers license or get a seperate motorcycle license.

To obtain either of those l must:
-pass a vision test,
-take & pass the motorcycle knowledge exam
-get a motorcycle learner is permit & hold it for 30 days
-pass the motorcycle road test

If l enroll & take the VA Rider Training program & pass l can dispense with the motorcycle learner permit / 30 day requirement, so l called to register however the next available class is in mid-December!

So l went down to my local DMV office & passed the vision test in less than 5 seconds, & took the motorcycle knowledge exam which was 25 questions, l got 4 wrong & passed ( l think if u get 5 or more u fail), l just skimmed over the Motorcycle Operator Manual (a pdf file) & did not take the sample exam at all. After paying $3 l got my motorcycle learner is permit which l have to hold for 30 consecutive days (if u r 19 & younger it is 9 months!), which have some restrictions like no passengers, supervised / escorted by a licensed motorcycle operator over 21 from a separate vehicle, require helmet & eye/face protection.

Since l have owned an off-road cycle before the basics r no problem, despite the fact it has been 20+ years since l have ridden ( l was a teenager when l had my Honda CR-80) after jumping on the TW200 the clutch, brakes & 1-down 4-up were very familiar & l drove away after a single practice circle around the dealer parking lot.

The only downer is the the learner permit requirement, it is a bit of restriction until l can ride fully on my own so if possible obtain it *before* u purchase yours or perhaps ur state does not have such a requirement & u can take ur motorcycle road skills test without one. In my case the 30-day permit is less painful than waiting months until the next available state-sanctioned training class.

l anticipate l will go the 30days & pass the road skills without any problem, once that is done l need to go back to my local DMV office & pay the $10 for a new d/l with the M class status & l am all set.


cheers

As far as the written part, just study for maybe an hour. That may be a bit much but it will help with test anxiety if you really know the material. As far as the riding part, if you fail that you should not be riding anyway, but l can not imagine anyone failing it. You should really just take the MSF and be done with it.