Learn To Ride

   1-972-242-0300

   1-800-410-4549

    www.ridesafetexas.com

          Motorcycle training is needed

Research has shown that few people (less than 10%) have any formal training before they begin riding a motorcycle. Anyone, whether you're just starting out in motorcycling or have been riding for several years, can benefit from a Motorcycle Rider Course.

Some people say it's easy to learn to ride a motorcycle, but to develop the basic skills and techniques necessary to ride safely is another matter. To be in control of a motorcycle and to ride it safely on the public streets and highways requires you receive proper instruction and then practice what you've learned.

• Basic Rider Course 
• Scooter School  (Basic Rider Course on a Scooter)
• Experienced Rider Course 

The Basic Rider Course is approximately 15 hours of classroom and on-cycle instruction conducted over a two day session. Emphases is on basic techniques as well as defensive maneuvers.  It is designed for the beginner who wants to learn to ride a motorcycle and for the experienced rider who wants to sharpen their riding skills. This course is physically and mentally challenging and students must be in good health to participate.

We provide motorcycles for this course and a helmet, if needed.

Successful completion of this course is recognized by the DPS for licensing requirements, and could qualify you for a 10% reduction in your liability insurance.

Minimum age: 15 (under 18 with parental consent and Class C driver's permit or classroom portion of Drivers Education completed).

Students must attend all class sessions and pass both the knowledge and skill tests in order to receive a Certificate of Completion.

The certificate, when presented to the DPS licensing office, allows any person with a Class C unrestricted license to waive the on-cycle test.

This course is designed as a foundation to develop basic techniques. Almost ninety-six percent of students pass the course the first time.  We cannot guarantee you successfully complete the course nor can we guarantee the safe operation of your motorcycle after completion of the course.

• Scooter Training is the same program as the Basic Rider Course with a few modifications to accommodate the Scooter Rider.  We provide the scooters for training, or you are welcome to bring your own!  All program certifications apply for the Scooter Training as for the Basic Rider Course.

• The Experienced Rider Course is approximately 5 hours of on-cycle instruction.  Students must be licensed operators who currently ride on a regular basis. The course objective is to provide students with the skills identified as lacking in the accident-involved motorcyclist. On-cycle instruction covers street strategies and special situations, advanced turning, braking, and evasive skills.  

Each student attending the Experienced Rider Course will be required to provide their own motorcycle. Motorcycles must be licensed, insured, and street-worthy. Proof of insurance is required.  There is no lunch break during this class so we recommend you bring snacks.

Yes, for the Basic Rider Course, and Scooter Training you do not need to have any motorcycling experience, but you do need to have sound bicycle riding skills.  You will need to have the ability to balance and stabilize a two-wheeled vehicle prior to beginning the class.

 We cannot teach you basic  motorcycle skills without your ability to balance.  If you have basic balance problems, you will be dismissed from the course.  If you have not ridden a bicycle in a long while, we encourage you to practice on one before attempting to ride a motorcycle.  This course is designed for teaching basic operation on a motorcycle and does not guarantee the safe operation by the student.

For the Experienced Rider Course  students must have an "M" endorsement on their Driver's License and provide their own street worthy motorcycle.  They must also provide proof of motorcycle liability insurance.  Current riding experienced is required. They must feel comfortable handling the bike in less than ideal conditions such as heavy traffic, bad weather, higher speeds, etc.   This course is designed as a tune up of your skills.  It will address special handling situations and accident avoidance techniques.

Motorcycle Helmet Exemptions

On June 19, 2009, Governor Rick Perry signed into law
Senate Bill 1967 of the 81st Regular Legislative Session.
This law became effective September 1, 2009 and
repealed the helmet exemption sticker program.

Please read the following important information pertaining
to the helmet exemption:

• Former law required a person be covered with a minimum of $10,000 in health insurance for injuries incurred in a motorcycle accident to be eligible for an exception for the offense of operating or riding a motorcycle without a helmet. The law removes that minimum amount. The law requires the Texas Department of Insurance to prescribe a standard proof of health insurance for issuance to persons who are at least 21 years of age and covered by an applicable health insurance plan. "Health insurance plan" means an individual, group, blanket, or franchise insurance policy, insurance agreement, evidence of coverage, group hospital services contract, health maintenance organization membership, or employee benefit plan that provides benefits for health care services or for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of an accident. Read Texas Administrative Code §21.5201 (c)(1)(2) for details on requirements for health insurance plan providers; basically they must either add the words “MOTORCYCLE HEALTH” to the insurance card or supply a letter with the same basic information as the card to include the words “MOTORCYCLE HEALTH: Standard Proof of Health Insurance”.
• The law prohibits a peace officer from stopping or detaining a person who is the operator of or a passenger on a motorcycle for the sole purpose of determining whether the person has successfully completed a motorcycle operator training and safety course or is covered by a motorcycle health insurance plan and repeals provisions relating to a DPS-issued sticker required to be displayed on a motorcycle by a motorcycle owner.

For more information on this law, please visit Texas Legislature Online or contact the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-252-3439.

Motorcycle Safety Course