License test in the old days.

[tkent02]

No test. There was no motorcycle license. If you had a drivers license, it covered motorcycles.

You were grandfathered in because you had the license before motorcycles were invented?

[Frank Z.]

1979 on an S model. Two cops came out, asked about the bike, then promptly awarded me a M class license.

Fast forward to 2011: $165 MSF instruction over 3 days, 2 hours killed at DMV for written test.

[Gregory]

A friend of mine in Illinois just turned 75 and therefore had to re-qualify for his license. He drives one of those 9 foot long bagged out Vulcans. He told me that the test had a cone course set up with the cones set 10 feet apart. Rather than risk damaging the bike, he didn't even attempt it and went home to figure out what to do to pass it at a later date.

[earlfor]

You were grandfathered in because you had the license before motorcycles were invented?

Yeah, kind of like a friend of mine that has been an airline captain so long that he doesn't have a pilot's license and no one has ever checked.

[Steven Conlan]

I went for my endorsement at age 16 (holy crap - 43 yrs ago). You had to show up with a bike (I owned a Norton 650 P11 - borrowed a Honda 50) proof of ins. on bike - a car, proof of ins on car - also driver for car. Instructor sat shotgun in car, Map taped to gas tank of bike. About 1/4 into the first block, right turn at light, bike made it - red light by time car was there. When I returned had to wait about 5 min for car to return. Instructor jumped out and started yelling at me about trying to "loose" him at the light. He yelled and yelled then tried to flunk me. I explained I followed the map and he did not (he says he did) tell me to pull over and wait if this happened. My uncle (police officer) was the driver of the car. We let this guy go on and on for about 15 min. until he said I flunked. That's when my uncle spoke up - first asking if the instructor had ever rode a bike (no) If he always acted like this during a test (yes). At which time I said I would retake this test now - instructor said he was going to lunch (9:30 am) and I would have to come back another day - next opening was about a month away. Asked to talk to his boss - he said "I am the boss".
You should have seen his face when my uncle whipped out his badge - informed the guy that he drank with the guy that was incharge of that secretary of state office - the guy marked my papers passed and dropped them on the ground. This guy lost his job within a few weeks. About 6 months later, my uncle pulled this guy over for a traffic infraction - yep - he got a ticket - tried to fight it in court - even brought up that my uncle cost him his job.
The judge also drank with my uncle. I used to see this guy sometimes in the local stores. We always had a few things to say to each other. GOOD TIMES.

[gbw]

Have you seen the new riding test?
Click HERE.
For the four-wheel version of the driving test, click HERE.

And the new test for Commercial Drivers License (CDL), click HERE

[dorkburger]

My father got his cycle license in the 50s. The tester told him ride down the street, make a u turn without putting your feet down, and ride back. Test over. The cycle license was also a separate document from a drivers license back then according to my dad.

[koolaid_kid]

When I got mine (mid-60s) the instructor got in the car driven by my dad and gave him instructions. I followed them around some city streets while the instructor watched me. Got back, went inside, got my license. The cones were there but he did not ask me to do them. Never understood why, but did not ask.

[luvnwunderwoman]

Got mine in Nashville in 1979 on a KZ650. The examiner told me to follow the car he was giving another test in. I got caught by the first light and had to stop. Circled the block and went back to the station to try again. Examiner got back and said I passed the test. Good thing because I had to ride the bike to the station for the test. I did not have a trailer and I didn't know anyone with a motorcycle license.

[Ghostgs1]

Great story, that made me smile, thanks. Ray

[GSXR7ED]

Wow!

No test. There was no motorcycle license. If you had a drivers license, it covered motorcycles.

That's probably when there weren't as many riders as there are today earlfor.

I took mine 2 years ago at the Delaware DMV with MSF Trainers from Dover AFB. Here's the outline:

Classroom Instructions Covers:
The challenge of motorcycling
Motorcycle controls
Rider and motorcycle preparation
Basic riding skills
Street strategies
Advanced turning and braking techniques

Riding Instruction Includes:
Special riding situations
Dangers of impaired riding
Straight line riding, turning, shifting and stopping
Advanced turning and braking techniques
Collision avoidance maneuvers

We had the figure 8 in the box, points taken for putting foot down. We had to ride over a 2X4 and know how to absorb the impact. We had to accelerate to third gear and downshift to second accurately using both front and rear brakes. It was lots of fun! We had one guy drop his bike during the test which was an automatic retake of the course.

I enjoyed it and learned quite a bit in this 2 day course.


Ed

[pontiacstogo]

Got mine in NZ when I was 15 (somewhere around 1979). Back then you could get your full car or motorcycle license at 15 and there were no restrictions on new drivers. I decided to get my motorcycle license before my car license.

My parents both rode bikes - my dad went through a few different bikes over the years so I can't remember what he was riding then. My mum had a Suzuki FA50 so I figured the test would be easier on it.

The test consisted of a very short test ride where the instructor/tester followed you on his bike. I passed the test, but I was kinda glad to have the helmet on so no-one could see me tooling around on an FA50 .

[82Shafty]

A friend of mine in Illinois just turned 75 and therefore had to re-qualify for his license. He drives one of those 9 foot long bagged out Vulcans. He told me that the test had a cone course set up with the cones set 10 feet apart. Rather than risk damaging the bike, he didn't even attempt it and went home to figure out what to do to pass it at a later date.

Watch a Jerry the Motorman DVD on slow speed cones. He'll ace it afterwards.

[82Shafty]

I became a licensed rider in 2006 on a '77 CB750SSF2.

I watched a Sporty fail twice in front of me. Not exactly confidence inspiring but he was cutting the cones way too close.

I knocked over one cone and aced everything else. Went and celebrated with Roadrash by getting a couple of loaded dogs and a victory ride.

[Brendan W]

The day I finally decided to get a full license I had graduated to a brand new Z650 and for £10 you could take car and bike on the same day. I had no car experience but thought what the hell give it a lash. After 45 minutes in the car the tester got out and kissed the pavement - literally. Then he made me ride the bike across the car park and back. 'Sorry son', he said, ' You're grand on the bike but I can't let you anywhere near a car - not today.'