License test in the old days.

[SCQTT]

In Ohio you used to be able to have a motorcycle only license. I got one of those in 1983 @ 16. It was pretty easy. I did not have a car license until I was 18.

[Steve]

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.

My Wing is only 5 inches short of being 9 feet long (officially, it's 102.9 inches), and has NO problems with the cones on the range.

It's actually quite amusing to see a class of 12 Wings doing the Experienced Rider's Course as they weave through the cones and all the other stuff.

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

I was sort of expecting this video.

In Ohio you used to be able to have a motorcycle only license. I got one of those in 1983 @ 16. It was pretty easy. I did not have a car license until I was 18.

My son got his car permit, then the bike permit, then took the MSF course. The clerk at the DMV had to call Columbus to see how to add a motorcycle endorsement to a car permit.

.

[papajack]

What test?

In February 1967, at the age of 15 1/2 I went to the California DMV in Barstow, took the written test for my learners permit. I was then able to ride a motorcycle, without a passenger.

I continued riding for the next 24 years, when I moved to Nevada. At that time I had also driven Trucks for 16 years, hauling everything from rocks to Propane. When I applied for my licence I took written tests for for everything, Class A truck, HazMat, Tanker, Multi trailer, Passenger and Motorcycle. I passed all of the tests with flying colors. They said here is your CDL Licence, however, you will need to take a proficiency test to prove that I could handle a motorcycle. Even though I had a California MC endorsement. The logic escaped me. I could be trusted to drive through Las Vegas with 40,000 lbs of Hazardous Materials, but not a 500lb motorcycle. So I paid the money rode around a few orange cones, and down a straight line, accelerating and de-accelerating. Illinois looked at my licence, took my money, gave me some tests and gave a licence.

[SCQTT]

you will need to take a proficiency test to prove that I could handle a motorcycle. Even though I had a California MC endorsement.

I earned both of my licenses in Ohio. Since then I moved to IL, TX, MO & TN before returning to OH (total time away, 20 years)

Each place simply rubber stamped my new license for both operators and MC endorsement, but upon returning to Ohio I had to take the written test (no longer "written" but on a computer screen) for both. Total government red-tape BS, but I guess they made a couple of extra bucks.

[cowboyup3371]

I earned both of my licenses in Ohio. Since then I moved to IL, TX, MO & TN before returning to OH (total time away, 20 years)

Each place simply rubber stamped my new license for both operators and MC endorsement, but upon returning to Ohio I had to take the written test (no longer "written" but on a computer screen) for both. Total government red-tape BS, but I guess they made a couple of extra bucks.

I have driven in many different countries during my Air Force time as well as most of the states. I understood why I had to take a written test in Germany due to the differences in language and rules. Yet even with now four different state licenses I never had to take a written test since my first one until I moved here to Ohio last year. I was questioning the examiner and BMV representatives very hard but finally did it.

[shakeybone]

Got my license in 1978 in Manchester NH. EZ written test.
Took "road" test, held in the parking lot of the National Guard Armory. They set up a few cones and you had to drive around them. All the other people taking the test had 125cc bikes or the like, I had a Kawasaki 750.
I was the last one taking the test and it had started to rain. They had picked up all the cones and the instructor said just imagine the cones are there and then he got in a car with a little hottie waiting to take her driving test to stay dry. I drove around the parking lot, he singed the form that I passed and I got my license.

[GreatDane]

Much like Papajack, I had my CDL when I purchased a motorcycle. I was licensed to drive anything but a bus. Took the MSF course (not required) and then headed to the DMV.

When I told them I wanted to get my MC endorsement, the lady said "OK but you will have to take all new tests for your CDL since a new CDL license testing/procedure is now in place or I can drop the CDL and give you MC." I politely told her that the CDL paid my way and so I guess I should keep it. Wound up being the first one in my company to have the "new" CDL license.

The "riding" part of the test consisted of riding through a course painted on the parking lot while the tester looked on from the building. No cones, just paint lines.

This occurred in the mid 80's.

[chedd]

passed my bike test in july 1968,got my car licence in august that same year,wife said I had to sell the bike'cos now we had a car we didn't need a bike.we'er not married any more

[gustovh]

I finaly became a legal rider in April 1971. I rode my cl350 to the dmv, took the written test then went outside with the tester and he tells me to ride around the block, which I did and he signs me off.

He wanted to know how long I had been riding and I told him, 10 years, used to ride a honda 90 trail to grade school.
V