Licensing in Texas

[hjazzyherm]

Licensing for Spyders

Dallas area and thank you.
California does not require motorcycle license for spyder so I guess will have to take skills test and may be even written test if they have a seperate one for motorcycle.
Do you get your permanent license on the spot?

I'm a Texican who lives in the Sacramento area of California. Even the California Highway Patrol (CHP) are sometimes confused on licensing requirements here. That's why I went ahead and got my Motorcycle endorsement on my license. It cost me around $250 to take the safety course offered by the Office of Traffic Safety here. I wanted to attend the Motor Officer's Course, which costs around $600. The rationale was that I hadn't been on a motorcycle in 30 years! Ha! But I'm coming to Fort Worth next month (Mid-June) and hope I don't have any difficulties with law enforcement there. Only a motor vehicle license is required here in California, but the motorcycle endorsement makes it cleaner, just in case the sheriff or DPS aren't that sharp on the vehicle code.hyea:

 

[hjazzyherm]

Safety Course - Worth the Investment

Thank you all.
I have not been on a 2 wheeler in 22 years...
That safety course is for beginners right? How much actual training before you take the test if there is a test?

Speaking only of the California Safety Course, I'm glad I attended. It's a three-day course here and $250. they provide the motorcycle, usually as big as a Honda 750. here, they started off by classroom instruction and if you didn't pass the classroom (technical stuff), rules of the road, using the "SEE" technique Search, Evaluate, and Execute, you didn't get a chance to go on the road. They have the course marked off. But you start by power walking the bike (two wheel only) across the parking lot (big azzed one too) about a hundered times til you can't stand up. THEN you start the engine. Oh it's fun, in a mean kinda way! But when you leave, you'll at least be reasonably competent. Then youpractice, practice, practice. Just recently, California is permitting Spyder owners to use their Spyders for the road skills test. Piece of cake. I'm wondering what Texas is doing since they recently increased the speed limit to 80 mph! Jesus, do you think that's fast enough? Almost like driving in Germany! Won't be enough to bury at that speed!:hun:

 

[hjazzyherm]

VA Sounds Like California...

In VA they use 250 Suzuki and all experience levels make up a class from those that have never been on a bike to those that have been riding for years. Most of the long time riders are there due to tickets for being caught without a license. Strange thing is a lot of those that are rank beginners score better than those that have been riding for years. The beginners did better due to no bad habits to break. This course is two full days with both written and skills tests being given on the second day. All the material for both tests are covered fully with lots of help for those that need it. Upon completion you are given a certificate which you take to DMV and they give you your endorsement. You can ride on the certificate for 30 days before you have to go to DMV. I had not ridden in over 25 years when I took the course and have to admit it seemed so simple (for me). It was hovering around 98 deg. both days and in full gear that was more like 100+ deg.
:shemademe_smilie: :yes: :spyder:

Sounds just like what I experienced here in California! We had some OGs (Old time Harley guys) that had been pulled over once too many times. but they were also the first ones in the course that laid their tiny bikes down. The "Box" was the trickiest, ding figure 8s in a tiny box, the "swerve and brake", the 360, all geared to see how much control you had. But the instructors were firm and fair. But if you didn't pass, you didn't get your money back...but they gave you a second chance to get it right. I enjoyed the course, although the new riders showed us all up! they seemed to breeze through everything. Funny how that works!!!:firstplace:

 

[hjazzyherm]

Love that quote...

Look me up when you get moved in. I'm in Allen... a little north of Dallas.

.

Every now and then I've usually been the one who peed on the electric fence...BEFORE the dare was issued!!!! Ha! Durn Fool!:yikes:

 

[hjazzyherm]

CA's Safety Course IS the Skills Test...

Dallas area and thank you.
California does not require motorcycle license for spyder so I guess will have to take skills test and may be even written test if they have a seperate one for motorcycle.
Do you get your permanent license on the spot?

I live in Northern California and immediately after getting my Spyder, I signed up for the Safety Course. Since it's emphasized a LOT here, I didn't want anything close to a hassle by CHP, cit police, or the Sheriff's Office. They can be quite rude to motorcyclists. The 2-3 day course went over the entire motorcycle handbook. Most of us aced the test, which was a condition of continuing on in the course. A few didn't pass the test. That included some older guys that drove their Harleys to the class! They had to walk home! But they put us through a lot before they told us that we were being evaluated for the 'skills" protion of the class. But what was so neat was that we literally went through the skills portion all day long, until the last segment included the evaluation. We got our certificates, went to DMV where we took another test (rules of the road), and eye exam, and a temporary license pending the receipt of the actual endorsement on your license. My license was re-issued with the new endorsement affixed to the license. Good to go! And it was for the two-wheel since our skills test was on a two-wheel (mine was a Honda 750)...that's how you get around it i think. But recently DMV is allowing operators to use their Spyders. I don't know how that works for two-wheel motorcycle endorsements. They will figure it out. I like it because I can comfortably ride in the Diamond lane!:f_spider:

 

[Phil]

The "Box" was the trickiest, ding figure 8s in a tiny box, the "swerve and brake", the 360, all geared to see how much control you had. But the instructors were firm and fair. But if you didn't pass, you didn't get your money back...but they gave you a second chance to get it right. I enjoyed the course, although the new riders showed us all up! they seemed to breeze through everything. Funny how that works!!!:firstplace:

View attachment 12250That was the same here in Tyler Tx. We had a mix of guys like me that hadn't ridden in 30 years, all the way to teens. We all used 250's and the instructors were VERY fair. I used these guys-- http://www.motorsportstc.com/ . You are so right about the figure 8s!! I only put a foot down once but I was beating myself up about doing that. Anywho... I HIGHLY recommend it for even the most experienced rider.

 

[Texmac1011]

There is a place in Cedar Hill (www.alertrider.com) that offers a 3 wheel course for a motorcycle license. My wife is going next week. I believe there is also a place in Denton, but I have no info on it. The 2 wheel class is no big deal, but my wife won't ride 2 wheels.

I took the 2 wheel class (250cc bikes) and it was very helpful in passing the written test. I would not have passed the test without it. I have a friend who has been riding forever, didn't take the class and couldn't pass the written test.

 

[oceanbreeze851]

I had rode motorcycles in the past but I did not have the endosement. I live North of Austin but traveled to San Antonio for the Motorcycle School. 250 cc Kawasaki for 21/2 days. All the skills were completed at the school and signed off for DPS. I took the written test and applied for my license in San Antonio. Looking back at my experience at school it would have been a lot easier on a spyder.

 

[docdoru]

I'm wondering what Texas is doing since they recently increased the speed limit to 80 mph! Jesus, do you think that's fast enough? Almost like driving in Germany! Won't be enough to bury at that speed!:hun:

No, it's not.

 

[arvoaussie]

I just did the alertbike and it was great...a bit tough but well worth it...they make sure your ready..I took the basic on two wheel because it just seemed to make sense...now I am 51 old fat man and made it so should be easy enough for you...LOL...All i have left to do is go take the test at the dmv and I am ready to go. Bratton was the instructor and he is amazing.

 

[spyderdiva]

Texas Driver License

Hi,

My husband is an certified instructor for the State of Texas.

Texas no longer gives road test at the DPS Office. You must attend a state certified class to get your license.

If you have a license from another state you can transfer it to this state without taking the motorcycle safety course.