How difficult is it to obtain a motorcycle license?

Question

I need to be getting a motorcycle endorsement on my license very soon.

I don't have the option of taking the safety class, they are all booked up in Seattle until September.

So I was planning on reading through the motorcycle safety manual, going to the DOL to take my written test and then take my riding test.

Will this be difficult? I don't actually have much experience riding motorcycles, but some riding mopeds. Is the driving test exceptionally hard?

Also - If you are in Washington, could you tell me where to make an appointment for the driving test?

Thank you.

Answer 1

not sure how bad the test is in washington, but here in ohio, it's a breeze....

you pass the written test, (very easy)

then you make an appointment to take your on-cycle test...

you bring a street legal motorcycle to the testing center with turn signals, and horn, and the test goes as follows...

start at a red T, accelerate to a medium idle, make a sharp turn within 2 lines painted on the ground, ride back towards your starting location, and stop with your front tire in a box.

next you turn around and start at a second red T, you weave through 5 cones, and make a U turn within a box...

you then have to accelerate to 20 mph, and do a sudden stop

you then accelerate to 20 mph again, and swerve around a box

as long as you can perform all the tasks without falling over, and without putting your feet down, you get your license...

Answer 2

The thing about it is, that even if you pass and get the endorsement, this wont automaticly grant you experience, and inexperienced rider is an inexperienced rider; there are ways to cheat 'legaly' the DMV testing and certification system but i wont tell you, because, im not the type of giving advice without any responsibility.

But, how about going outside seattle and looking for a MSF BRC with vacants, im not telling you to drive 60 miles just to take the class, but depends on your motivation and $$. The BRC is more focus on teaching you to defend yourself on the street than to actually operate the motorcycle, to be more aware of your surroundings and last but not least, take care of your life. So in case you dont find anything, be patient, is worth it.

Answer 3

i'd really suggest you go through with the classses, if you had experience on motorcycles you'd probably receive alot more openess about how to circumvent this, but you're inexperienced, and like it or not, in inexperienced hands, a motorcycle is extremely dangerous.... these classes teach you how to safely ride at any speed (they aren't teaching you to drive safely at any given speed... they teach you 'how to ride'... which pretty much all the 'rules' apply to any speed.... even taking other classes, like one for dirt bikes and one for quads i'd suggest.... they all teach you something the other doesn't)

Answer 4

Written test and road test are quite easy, or at least for me they were. Got my first bike (Yamaha R1), took the written, rode for about 3 weeks, then went to take the road test and no problems. Just pass the written, then when u feel comfortable on the bike, go take the road. It dosen't cost anything so whats to lose?

Answer 5

Hmmmm..... Without the class, I couldn't say. I would still try and get in the class! Ask to be put on a cancellation list.

Without a lot of experience, the test may be hard. You need to drive in a figure 8 in a very small square! How big is your bike?! I took the class, and used their 250's. BUT, I have an 1100 bike! REALLY hard for a bigger bike to do that.

You should be able to take the test at your Drivers license division!