So, you have bought a new motorcycle, and it is proudly parked outside your house looking all bright and shiny. However, before you can take it to the road and feel as free as a bird with the wind rushing through you hair you will need to obtain your motorcycle operators license. As you would imagine, making an application for your license isn't always as straightforward as it sounds and it can sometimes be a long and drawn out process.
It is not as simple a task as requesting a motorcar license. When you are riding a motorcycle very little is offered by way of protection in the case of an accident. You have a greater risk of being injured so you need to be knowledgeable in the skills of driving your new bike. The first step, in some states is to attend your local drivers' education center to obtain a motorcycle learners permit. It is similar to the permit allowing you to drive a car but the motorcycle version has a few variations.
When you first start to ride a motorcycle you are not allowed by law to carry passengers on the back of your bike, if they, like you only have a learners permit and in quite a few locations you are restricted to riding in daylight hours until you have acquired your full motorcycle driving license. Along with paying the relevant fee, many states require you to take a written examination to show that you understand the basics before you apply for your motorcycle driver's permit which then enables you to drive in the dark and carry passengers on you bike.
Your ability to get a motorcycle drivers license is also affected by other factors. If you have a drivers license for a motorcar and it has been officially withdrawn from your use for whatever reason, you will not be able to apply for a motorcycle license until your permission to drive a car has be reinstated. You should also remember that when you take the written test, this is only a process to getting a learners permit and you will only be issued with a full license when you have satisfactorily passed the skills section of the test. This is where you will be called upon to actually drive the motorcycle under supervision and when you have passed both parts of the test you will be granted a full motorcycle driving license enabling you to ride carrying a passenger and with no restrictions as to the time of day you can ride your bike.
When you are completing the skills part of the test you will need to show that you are familiar with the simple workings and especially the lights of your machine. You will also need to familiarize yourself with the many safety features of your bike too. The purpose of this part of the test is for the instructor to see how well you can handle the bike and it usually involves driving around a set of pylons. You will obviously need to show you know how to start the motorcycle and bring it to a safe stop and most instructors will expect you to complete a series of more complicated moves such as safely making a sharp turn in order to avoid an obstacle in your path.
If you want to be fully aware of what is expected of you to pass your test and be a competent motorcyclist you could take an approved motorcycle rider safety course. There are numerous courses to choose from but the recommended one is run by he Motorcycle Safety Foundation where you will find there is a great deal of information available about how to drive your motorcycle.
John Daniele is an expert on motorcycle helmets. For information or to purchase a handcrafted, light-weight, fiberglass novelty motorcycle helmets see http://www.helmetsrus.com
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