Motorcycle & Scooter Learner's Permit Guide

How to Obtain a Temporary Motorcycle or Scooter Learner's Permit

• Obtain a Motorcycle Operator Manual and a Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws for the knowledge test
• Proceed to any exam station to complete the knowledge test
• Upon passing the knowledge test, proceed to any Deputy Registrar to obtain the Temporary Instruction Permit Identification card (T.I.P.I.C.)
• Motorcycle knowledge tests can be taken at certain Deputy Registrars; locations at www.bmv.ohio.gov

Temporary Permit Restrictions

• The permit is valid for one year from issue date with some restrictions
• Riding is allowed during daylight hours only
• Passengers are prohibited
• Commuting on congested roads and interstate highways is invalid
• Wearing an approved protective helmet and using eye protection is required for all holders
• All first-year endorsed operators and any passengers must wear a helmet

How to Obtain a Motorcycle or Scooter License or Endorsement

• Applicants must complete motorcycle skills testing at a Driver Exam Station or complete the Motorcycle Ohio Basic Course
• Applicants under 18 must complete the Motorcycle Ohio Basic Course and Graduated Driver Licensing requirements
• Those 18 or older don't have to complete the motorcycle course
• The Motorcycle Ohio Basic Course completion card is valid to waive motorcycle skills testing for 60 days from the date of issuance
• All applicants for a motorcycle license or endorsement must complete skills testing at the driver license exam station after 60 days
• Contact a driver license exam station to make an appointment for the on-cycle examination; no fee is charged
• The T.I.P.I.C. and a street-legal motorcycle or scooter must be brought to the exam site
• A helmet and eye protection must be worn during the test
• The examiner may provide a receipt to take to any Deputy Registrar agency after passing the on-cycle test
• Present the T.I.P.I.C. with a receipt (for motorcycle-only holders) or driver license (for endorsement holders) to the Deputy Registrar to receive the license or endorsement; a fee is required
• After completing the Motorcycle Ohio Basic Skills, Motorcycle Ohio (MO) Basic Rider Skills - Returning Rider (RR), or Basic Rider Skills-2, a course completion card is issued by the course instructor
• Present the motorcycle temporary permit (T.I.P.I.C.) within 60 days of card issuance to the Deputy Registrar to receive the license or endorsement; a fee will be charged
• A valid motorcycle permit or endorsement is required to participate in a motorcycle rider course

Earning Your License

• Safe riding requires knowledge and skill, and licensing tests offer the best assessment of skills needed
• Licensing exams are designed to be scored objectively
• A knowledge test and an on-cycle skill test are required to earn a license
• Knowledge test questions are based on information and rules from the manual
• The on-cycle skill test will occur in traffic or in a controlled, off-street area
• Basic vehicle control and crash-avoidance skills are included in on-motorcycle tests

Key Skills for Handling Traffic Safely

• Know your limits
• Accelerate, brake, and turn safely
• See, be seen, and communicate
• Adjust speed and position
• Stop, turn, and swerve quickly
• Make critical decisions
• Select safe speeds
• Choose the correct path
• Complete normal and quick stops
• Complete normal and quick turns/swerves
• On July 6, 2000, Governor Taft signed Senate Bill 271, waiving the State of Ohio Motorcycle Skill test for successful Motorcycle Ohio (MO) Basic Skills or Basic Rider Skills-RR students
• MO graduates receive their motorcycle endorsement/license upon presenting their course completion card to a Deputy Registrar; graduates under 18 must also meet additional requirements
• Motorcycle Ohio requires maneuvers to be performed as designed to receive a motorcycle license with full privileges
• The on-cycle skills test isn't meant for sidecars/three-wheel vehicles, but can be altered to accommodate those; if performed using a sidecar or three-wheel vehicle, the endorsement won't permit operation of a two-wheel motorcycle.
• It's most important to flash the brake light when you will be slowing suddenly
• The FRONT brake supplies about 70% of the potential stopping power
• To swerve correctly, shift your weight quickly, turn the handlebars quickly, and press the handlegrip in the direction opposite the turn
• Relax on the handlegrips if a tire goes flat while riding and you must stop
• To minimize risk with a car waiting to enter the intersection, reduce speed and be ready to react

Motorcycle Ohio Program

• Students who complete the Motorcycle Ohio Basic Skills or Returning Rider Skills have the State of Ohio skill test waived and will receive their motorcycle endorsement/license upon presenting the (T.I.P.I.C.) to a Deputy Registrar within 60 days
• Graduates under 18 successfully completing the BRS only, must also meet Graduated Driver License (GDL) requirements
• The Basic Riding Skills-2 (BRS2) is a 6-hour, one-day, range-only course without a formal classroom session
• Students taking BRS2 must bring their own motorcycle, proof of insurance, over-the-ankle footwear, gloves, long shirt or jacket, long pants and a DOT-approved helmet
• Each Basic Riding Skills-2 (BRS2)operator must have a valid Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC) or motorcycle license or endorsement
• BRS2 completion earns the BMV skill test waiver for a motorcycle endorsement
• The Basic Riding Skills-2 (BRS2) costs $75
• Passengers are only permitted for riders with a motorcycle license or endorsement
• All course times/dates are subject to change
• The Motorcycle Ohio (MO) Program is intended to provide rider safety skills and dedicated motorcyclists with good communication

Instructor qualifications

• Must submit a completed "Instructor Candidate Questionnaire" to the department
• Must possess a high school diploma or GED
• Upon certification possess a current first aid card and a current adult CPR card or equivalent
• Must be a licensed, experienced motorcycle operator for three years, preceding the date of the instructor candidate questionnaire with a valid motorcycle endorsement
• Must be currently riding a motorcycle on a regular basis
• A candidate should not have any of the following
  • Three or more chargeable crashes within the three years preceding the date of application
  • Three or more moving violation convictions under Chapter 4511 of the Ohio Revised code, or equivalent convictions from another jurisdiction, within the three years preceding the date of application
  • An accumulation of six or more points under Chapter 4510 of the Revised Code, or equivalent action from another jurisdiction, within the three years preceding the date of application
  • A twelve-point administrative action under section 4510.037 of the Ohio Revised code, or equivalent convictions from another jurisdiction, within the ten years preceding the date of application
• A suspension and/or conviction under section 4511.19 of the Revised Code, or equivalent conviction from another jurisdiction, within five years preceding the date of application
• Must complete a motorcycle Ohio instructor preparation course
• Must submit a request to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation to conduct a criminal records check, dating no more than ninety days from the request
• Must not been convicted of, pled guilty to, or had a judicial finding of guilt for a disqualifying offense
• Must not been adjudicated mentally incompetent, or been found not guilty by reason of insanity by a court of law
• Must not engage in the illegal use of controlled substances, alcohol, or other habit-forming drugs
• Must not commit fraud or material deception
• Must provide an original signed statement from the applicant's physician certifying they are mentally and physically capable of providing instruction
• Must meet standards set forth in rule 4501-53-04 of the Administrative Code
• Certified motorcycle instructors from another state or military safety program whose curriculum meets state standards must complete a motorcycle Ohio training session

Motorcycle Ohio Instructor Preparation

• All Instructor Candidates (IC) must complete the Basic Riding Skills (BRS) within 24 months of the Instructor Preparation Course (IPC)
• All ICs must complete a home study assignment approximately six to eight hours long prior to the IPC start date to familiarize the candidate with all written material
• All ICs must register for the IPC with tuition of up to $100 paid to Motorcycle Ohio no later than two weeks before the course
• Motorcycle Ohio reserves the right to cancel an IPC because of low enrollment
• All applicants must be pre-approved by the Motorcycle Ohio Coordinator to be enrolled in the IPC
• The IPC is a 90+ hour course that generally takes six days, including student teaching
• The content of the IPC includes in-person, online, and hybrid classroom and range instruction to teach candidates how to teach novice students in BRS
• Instructor Candidates (IC) must attend all scheduled sessions of the IPC and must attend the entire BRS course
• All ICs must pass a riding test, a closed book written test and successfully pass a student teaching evaluation

The Rider and the Motorcycle

• Piloting a motorcycle requires balance and awareness
• Complex environment requires awareness and judgement

Before You Ride

• Wear the right gear
• Become familiar with the motorcycle
• Check the motorcycle equipment
• Be a responsible rider

Wearing The Right Gear

• Provides better protection during crash

Helmets

• DOT compliant helmets are most important for your safety
• One out of every five motorcycle crashes are related to head or neck injuries
• Head injuries are more common.
• Analyses show head and neck injuries account for most serious and fatal injuries. Proper use of helmets will reduce injuries.
• Don't limit views by thinking helmets will limit your view to the sides
• Most crashes happen on short trips, or less than five miles, within minutes of starting out.
• Most people ride slower than 30 mph when a crash occurs. Helmets can cut the number and the severity of injuries in half
• Helmeted riders' survivability are three times more likely than those without helmets
• The two primary levels of helmets are three-quarter and full face
• Helmets should conform with US DOT Standards
• Helmets should fit snugly
• Look for defects in helmets, like cracks, loose straps etc
• Keep the helmet securely fastened on your head

Eye and Protection

• Plastic shatter resistant face shields can protect your face, and issues like wind, dust, dirt, insects
• Goggles can protect your eyes too
• Eye should be clean, resistant to scratches, view to either side, permit air, room for glasses
• Glasses/Sunglasses won't protect eyes from wind.
• Tinted eye protection not available when little light exists

Clothing

• Right clothing could prevents heat, cold, debris, moving motorcycle parts, collision and comfort issues
• Jackets and pants are a must, and should fit snugly enough not to flap
• Sturdy material helps
• Wear jackets in summer to prevent dehydration
• Boots and shoes should be high and sturdy enough to cover your ankle and give them support.
• Use durable, material, heels should be short

Preparing to ride

• Gloves are a must to protection your hands in a crash
• Protect your hearing from wind noise and loud noises
• Hearing protection should be used

Know your motorcycle

• Ensure that the bike is in top condition and wont' let you down
• Start with right motorcycle for you
• Read owners manual
• Be familiar the controls
• Check motorcycle before every ride
• Maintain conditions between rides
• Avoid after market addons

Right motorcycle and controls

• Motorcycle should fit you
• Feet should reach ground
• Controls should be easy to operate
• Headlight/tail light and brakelight are a minimum

Borrowing and Lending

• Be very careful when operating another persons bike, crashes increase
• Before operating bike make sure you are fully aware and knowledgeable about that bike

Motorcycle Controls

• Front/Rear Brakes
• Turn Signals
• Horn
• Two Mirrors

Motorcycle Controls

• Know Controls, the throttle, shifter, and be careful when operating until warm
• Ride cautiously and be aware of surroundings

Checking your motorcycle

• Motorcycles need more attention frequently
• T-CLOCS is a short method to remember
• T - Tires and Wheels
• C- Controls
• L - Lights and Electrics
• O - Oil and Other Fluids
• C- Chassis
• S Stands

Your Responsibilities

• Responsibility is on the operator.
• Be seen, wear clothing, use headlight
• Maintain an adequate space

Basic Vehicle Control

• This may not be taught by manuels; direction, speed or balance
• Must comes by practice with an MSF RiderCourse
• Posture - the operator should be comfortable to operate
• Seat - be forward, arms slightly bent
• Hands - hold grips, flat wrist and proper muscle usage must be correct
• Knees - against the gas tank
• Feet - firmly on the footrests

Shifting Gears

• Important for safe motorcycle operations
• Gearshift lever location, front of the left footrest, is operated by left foot
• Moving up is a smooth, and is done by steps
• Moving down is smooth, and is done by steps

Engine Braking

• shifting to lower gear when brakes are applied
• done be easing out, slowly

Braking

• Improper braking can lead to crashes
• There are controls, front and rear
• Front controls provide at least 70 percent
• Squeeze the front break smoothly
• transfer weight back over
• ABS- designed to prevent wheel lock-up

Turning

• Approach on turns, ride with caution
• Reduce speed before turning
• Look thru the turn
• Press the motorcycle to lean
• Roll the thorttle
• Normal curves are lean together, at same angle
• Slight turns, leaner over, body straight

Following Through

• Best method to protect is distance

Following other vehicle

• Avoid other driver's blind spots
• Avoid surfaces hazards
• Avoid drivers
• Control intentations