Question for Maryland Motorcycle Riders

[LaxBuddy21]

My wife and I are going to get our motorcycle learners permits this week and I have a few questions that I cannot seem to find the answers to on the MVA website. Is there a certain time you have to have your learners permit before you can get your full license like there is for a car? Do you have to make an appointment to take your permit test or do you just walk in and say you want to take it? I dont remember from when I got my original learners permit.

Also, we were planning to take the basic rider course but the next opening is not until the end of August. By that time, we will have 4 months of riding at least once a week (probably more) under our belts and I am concerned that the basic rider course would be a waste of time for us. I already can ride pretty well. I have been riding at my parents house (not on any major roads or anything). I think by the time August rolls around, it would just make more sense to take the test and save the $280 a piece. We have been reading all the safety information, watching how to videos and talking to people who have been riding for a while. I just dont see how 10 hours of road time in the course would do anything but drain our wallet at that point. What do other think?

[Capt. Kaos]

Ask your insurance rep if you get a discount after taking the course. Most insurance companies do.

I rode dirt bikes for years before switching over to road bikes. I'd suggest you take the course no matter your experience. I learned alot about how to properly handle the bike in various emergency situations.

I'm not sure about how a learner's permit works, I took the course and then took the test the day after passing the safety course.

Good Luck and watch for the idiots because you can rest assured that they are NOT watching for you!

[LaxBuddy21]

Ask your insurance rep if you get a discount after taking the course. Most insurance companies do.

I rode dirt bikes for years before switching over to road bikes. I'd suggest you take the course no matter your experience. I learned alot about how to properly handle the bike in an emergency situation.

I'm not sure about how a learner's permit works, I took the course and then took the test the day after passing the safety course.

Good Luck and watch for the idiots because you can rest assured that they are NOT watching for you!

Yea I know insurance companies do offer discounts but full coverage on my bike is $40 a month so I dont think it will make that much of a difference. It will more if I get a faster bike. I have considered the alternative basic rider course. Its $50 cheaper and for people with some riding experience. I have to wait until I get that experience though. I dont think the wait list is near as long.

[Parlett316]

Take the MSF course, you will learn a crap ton about safety and they drill it into your bean.

[AdamB]

Gonna echo the advice to take the MSF course. It will allow you to practice techniques like emergency braking under a controlled environment with instructors helping ya to improve. And trust me, some of these skills are not something you want to learn about out on the road, I have the pics and medical bills to prove it. I let my skills lapse some, did not practice like I should, and went down after locking up my rear wheel during emergency braking. And I have years, not months, of experience including riding on ice, the beltway during rush hour, groups of 20 bikes, etc.

Many of the courses that are for people "with riding experience" are not for beginners, or even those with a few months on the road. If you are worried about the waiting list, you can see if Harley is offering their course in your area (slightly more expensive, less wait time) or other areas. Instead of waiting 4 months for a spot in NoVA, I spent the 50.00 for a hotel room in Lynchburg, had a 1 month wait, and the course was almost 100.00 cheaper that it would have been in NoVA.

[LaxBuddy21]

Ok signed up for the course. Got a spot at the end of July so a month earlier than expected at least. Couldnt go to any of the other places they offer the course because they all start during the week and couldnt make it in time. Blah. Other parts of Maryland have a lot more openings. Been riding every day this week just around the neighborhood to practice. Going to go somewhere Saturday with an open parking lot and some cones to work on some skills.