California Motorcycle & Automobile Riding & Driving & Written Tests

I would like to collect in one place for a friend and all new friends out
there the very hidden California DMV motorcycle and driving tests,
completely and fairly.

As you all know, the California Motorcycle Riding Test is nearly impossible
to pass when done on your own (everyone passes when they are the sole judge
but almost everyone on a big bike fails because the test is well known to
be ridiculous and only for the purpose of funneling money to the MSF
"BasicRider" class which is a scam in and of itself).

Worse than being impossible, the California DMV absolutely REFUSES to tell
you what the test is, even if you fail one of the four parts, they won't
tell you what the next part is - and you only get three tries overall.

So, the ONLY way to know what the text actually consists of is to get it
HERE!
http://www.ducatigirl.com/california/dmv_moto_test.pdf

Since the California DMV forbids you practicing the test, you'll need to
draw this keyhole diagram on your driveway and then go around the lollipop
with a car on each side which is a realistic rendition of what it's like on
the DMV course.

If anyone has a PHOTOGRAPH of the California course, please POST it!!!!!!

There are only TWO known California RIDERS exams on the web so if you know
of any others, please post them also.

Good luck to all you new riders -- you're gonna need it!

 

California Motorcycle License Skills Test
by Stephen Green
2006
The purpose of this document is to explain the California motorcycle
license skills test that is administered to those
individuals applying for a motorcycle license who are over 18 and already
have a Class C license. I am providing this
information because I could not find a decent description of the test or
the dimensions of the test pattern anywhere on the
web. I felt that it was important to post this information for all to use
in chalking out your own pattern to practice on.
In all my worldly wisdom, I assumed that when I read the below text on the
DMV's website that I would be given a route to
ride my bike on city streets and the evaluator would follow me in a car and
observe my turning, signaling and adherence to
all of the items in the driver's handbook; much the same that the driving
test for a Class C license is. I was sadly mistaken.
When the evaluator led me over to the test pattern on my '06 Harley
Sportster, I just about had a heart attack. I have a
pretty good sized bike and this test pattern looked like it was designed
for bi cycles and scooters. LOL. For all of you who
plan to take this test, please read this document so that you will be
prepared.
For those of you over the age of 18, there are two ways that you may obtain
a motorcycle license. Both of the below
methods require that you also take the written test.
1. Take the MSF course and present the certificate to the DMV counter. If
you present this certificate, you will not be
required to take the on-cycle test.
2. If you don't want to take the MSF course, you can elect to have the DMV
administer an on-cycle skills test.
Before I get describe the on-cycle skills test and the test pattern, here
is some information copied directly from the DMV's
website on 4/15/06: There are two classes of motorcycle licenses, Class M1
and Class M2.
? With a Class M1, you can operate any 2- wheel motorcycle and any
motorized vehicle in Class M2.
? With a Class M2, you can only operate any motorized bicycle or moped or
any bicycle with an attached motor.
Effective January 1, 2006, you may operate a motorized scooter with a Class
M1 or M2 driver license. Prior to
January 1, 2006, you must have a Class C or higher driver license to
operate a motorized scooter.
Effective January 1, 2006, you may operate a motorized scooter with a Class
M1 or M2 driver license. Prior to January 1,
2006, you must have a Class C or higher driver license to operate a
motorized scooter.
A motorized scooter is defined as: A two-wheeled "device" powered by a
motor with a floorboard that is designed to stand
on when riding. The scooter may also have a driver 's seat.
Refer to the Motorcycle Driver Handbook for more information.
To apply for a motorcycle Class M1 or M2 permit, you will need to:
? Visit a DMV office (make an appointment for faster service)
? Complete application form DL 44 (An original DL 44 form must be
submitted. Copies will not be accepted.)
? Give a thumb print
? Have your picture taken
? Pay the application fee
? Pass a vision exam
? Pass a traffic laws and signs test. You have three chances to pass the
test.
Note: To allow you sufficient time for testing DMV will not be
administering written or audio exams after 4:30 p.m.
After studying both the California Driver and the Motorcycle Handbooks,
call your local DMV to schedule your appointment
for the traffic laws and sign test.
After completing the requirements, you will be issued an instruction permit
to allow you to practice driving a motorcycle.
You may not drive at night, on the freeway, or have any passengers with
you.
To apply for your motorcycle Class M1 or M2 license, you must do one of the
following:
If you are under 21, you must complete a motorcycle rider training course
given by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and
provide a certificate of Completion of Motorcycle Training (DL 389) to DMV
to be issued your license. You will not
be required to take the motorcycle driving test at DMV if you currently
have a
California Drivers License.
If you are over 21, you may either choose to complete the course by CHP and
provide the certificate OR schedule an
appointment at DMV to take the driving test. You have three chances to pass
the test.
For information about the CHP training course, please call 1-877-743-3411
or visit www.ca-msp.org.
After you have submitted your CHP certificate or passed your driving test,
you will be issued an interim license valid for 60
days until you receive your new photo license in the mail. Double check
your address before you leave DMV and tell the
DMV representative if you have moved or if your address is incorrect. If
you have not received your license after 60 days,
call 1-800-777-0133 to check on the status. Have your interim license with
you to provide information when requested."
On to the good stuff:
The two things that the evaluator told me that he was looking for while I
rode the test pattern in the prescribed manner
were:
1. Keep your front wheel between the lanes, which are exactly 2'3" apart,
throughout the exercise. He said that he wasn't
as concerned about the back wheel as he was the front.
2. DO NOT PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN! If you put your foot down, you will be
automatically failed.
Here is the order that you will ride the test pattern, and then what
follows is a diagram of the pattern, complete with
dimensions.
1. Enter the test pattern in lane 1 and when lane 1 meets with the circle,
follow it in a counter-clockwise direction and go
around the circle twice and exit in lane 2. Remember to keep your front
tire between the 2'3" lane lines.
2. For the second pass, you will begin by going around the first small
circle between the two lanes on the right-hand side
and weave through the remaining circles. This will lead you to going around
the last small circle between the two lanes that
is nearest the large circle on the right. After rounding that last small
circle, you will enter the large circle traveling to the left
and go around the circle in a clockwise manner, completing the circle twice
and exiting in lane 1.
That's it. This sounds much easier than it really is, even if you've been
riding bikes for over ten years as I have. Some tips
to remember are:
1. If you have access to a bike that is light and small, use it for the
test instead of your big ol' Harley like I did.
2. DO NOT PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN!
3. Keep your head up and your eyes focused at least halfway around the
circle from where you currently are. Remember
that you go where you look when you ride a bike.
4. Do not look at the painted lane lines. In keeping with item #3 above, if
you look at the lines, you will drive on them, not
between them.
5. Use your clutch to control your speed and very little throttle. You can
drag the rear brake to also help you keep balance
and control speed, but this should be a fluid and smooth ride to help keep
you balanced.
6. Lean the bike while you stay mostly vertical. When making tight turns at
slow speeds, it's usually easier to keep your
balance by leaning the bike and not your body.
7. If you think that you can do this without practice, I say good luck to
you. It would be a good idea to use the following
dimensions to chalk yourself out a practice area and give it a go before
having an evaluator and a bunch of spectators
watch you fumble through it for the first time.
The test pattern and dimensions are on the next page. Good luck and keep
your knees in the breeze and the shiny side up!
August 2007 update from Weston:
There was one minor surprise on my test day and that was that the test
format has changed slightly. The new DMV test
involves a first run in which the rider performs the cone weave, leading to
two circles clockwise, and then exiting out to the
right of the first cone and doing another cone weave. The second part of
the test is to start in lane 1, complete two
counterclockwise circles, and then exit in lane 2.
It wasn't a total surprise to me being I had studied what you have posted
in the pdf, but I figured you might be interested
to know that the DMV has made that slight modification to their test
method.

 

On Thu, 6 Sep 2007 14:02:21 -0700, pinbob wrote:
Here are diagrams & descriptions and rider stories for every state
motorcycle riding test in the nation I believe

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-training/motorcycle-test/

 

The California Department of Motor Vehicles offers 2 sample tests
online, which will pop up a JavaScript box as you answer each question
to tell you whether you got the answer right or wrong, and indicates
which section of the manual you should consult for further
information:

[ http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/interactive/tdrive/clm1written.htm ]
[ http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/interactive/tdrive/clm2written.htm ]


Driver's Test.net offers a dozen different motorcycle tests. They
aren't California specific, rather, they cover a range of information
the site authors feel every motorcyclist should know. Each test is
scored immediately after completion, and answers for further study are
provided.

[ http://www.driverstest.net/motorcycle.html ]

 

Why do you think the MSF BasicRider class is a scam? How do you know?
Have you taken it? Have you observed it? Have you asked people who took
it?

Hah. They forbid you practicing the test on their course. They cannot
forbid you reproducing the track and practicing on your own.

Why do you believe there are cars parked on either side?

They could just take the MSF class...

 

Not this thread again.

I think it's a good way for the CA DMV to sort out the guys who can't
handle their bikes!

I had a newby friend say the same thing. He couldn't pass the keyhole
test on his '85 NightHawk 650 and was cursing the DMV for "funneling
money to the MSF blah, blah blah! He comes over came to borrow my old
Trail 90. I told him "You don't need it." He disagreed and he bet me
that his NightHawk was too big to pass the keyhole test. Couple days
later I followed him down there on my Harley on a *Sunday morning.
When we got there he was parking the NightHawk so I ride it, but I
never got off the Softail. I simply completed the keyhole both
directions on my bike (which was at least a foot longer than his
NightHawk). After a long silence, he said "Well, I got some work to
do." Lo and behold after about 20 minutes he could ride the keyhole on
his NightHawk no problemo. The trick is to go just a bit faster and
*lean* the thing. Bikes will turn tighter when leaned over a bit!
Personally,

*One can practice after hours if you need to. If it's fenced off, find
another DMV (the S. San Jose course isn't closed off).

 

Through a slightly complicated set of circumstances, I took
the MSF class but wound up having to take the CA DMV test.

I passed on my first try. It's really not all that difficult.
I have successfully ridden the keyhole on an EX500 and on a
Nighthawk 700. I have every reason to believe that I could do
it on my Sprint (a liter bike), though I haven't tried.

And you can practice, as long as you do it after hours. I've
done it myself, and been at the DMV with a friend while he
practiced on my bike.

The written test is quite easy. Just read the handbook and then
take the test.

-Patti

 

It's easy to practice the test. Just go to your local
DMV on the weekend and try. Some sample photos I took
a couple years ago for a similar thread in reeky:

http://home.earthlink.net/~sqidbait/offAxis.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~sqidbait/start.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~sqidbait/loop1.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~sqidbait/loop2.jpg
http://home.earthlink.net/~sqidbait/back.jpg

It's not hard. I can do it on my CBR without
any problems.

-- Michael

BTW, I do NOT grant permission to host these photos
on other websites. Actually, not true - if Timberwoof
wants to include them on his FAQ page, that's cool
with me.

 

Oh! Thank you. I'll link to them and credit you. But I snagged 'em in
case your site goes down.

 

Hah. They don't, after all, based on what others have written.

 

You should probably just display them directly. I've been thinking
about turfing that particular account.

-- Michael

 

http://groups.google.com/group/ba.motorcycles

Search the group for something like "california dmv test" and you'll see
what I'm talking about.

Again, the failure rate, I'm estimating from my observations, is somewhere
in the range of 95% on bikes over a liter, given an impartial observer
(everyone things they winged it when they get to be their own judge).

It would be nice to choose a date and a place, and all riders show up with
a hundred bucks cash, put it in the bucket, and whoever can pass the test
on their first run in a liter sized road bike, takes the cash home.

Does anyone wish to organize that?

I'll bet your eyes and mouth would be agape at the results!

 

How does one do this?

The difference? The difference would be the truth.

Or does the truth mean nothing to you?

 

Bear in mind, we're not talking about an easy figure 8 here in California
where there isn't even a painted line for you to stay within or the
supremely easy u-turn box of the MSF where not only is the box astoundingly
huge but you can miss by ten feet and still pass the course.

No ...

We're talking about a Ca dmv test where you won't know what it is going to
be beforehand (unless you read this newsgroup), where you're not allowed to
practice on the course for fear of being arrested, where you must enter and
exit a 20 foot circle from both directions and from both a five-cone swerve
and a 2 foot wide straight and where you can NEVER have EITHER wheel stray
one quarter inch outside the painted lines you can't possibly even see so
you have to guess and if you look "ahead", it's actually to your left or
right by 90 degrees given the speed and radious, where you may have cars
driving up and down on both sides of you (depending on the course and I've
seen four at this point), where you can not put your foot down or touch any
of the five cones, where you MUST circumnavigate two complete loops in each
direction for a total of four loops, and where you MUST 100 percent of the
time not make any mistakes whatsoever or you fail fail fail.

While everyone's opinion is valid, if you haven't taken this test yourself
on a liter sized bike, then you really can't know what you're talking
about.

It's like Norman said ... "Have you ever BEEN in a mine field?"

 

I agree with you P. Roehling.

Let's be constructive and either organize a "contest" where everyone puts
in 100 dollars and the first biker who genuinely passes the test gets to
take the pot home .... or .... we figure out how to get the DMV to tell us
the failure rates (which I'd guess to be in the very high nineties) for
liter sized bikes.

What do others think?

 

I think it's a great conversation! Keep up all the good opinions.

As for facts, here is a test in progress although on a much smaller bike.
http://img72.exs.cx/img72/6595/CA_DMV_TEST_IN_PROGRESS.gif

Notice that cars can drive and park and pull out where the DMV tester is
standing, right in the middle of the test. Try that for wrecking your
concentration on your last lap!

On the other side is a curb and a fence so you really can't stray without
hitting something. That will keep you in the circle for sure!

This guy did the whole test on a pretty small bike never out of second gear
with high throttle, a heavy left hand, and very heavy use of the right foot
as can be seen if you look closely.

 

Great discussion and great input!

Here is one more picture - this one is a real test in progress.

http://img72.exs.cx/img72/6595/CA_DMV_TEST_IN_PROGRESS.gif

 

Geezus, google "FOIA".

The "truth" is that you're struggling to justify your own inability to
master the test.

 

That's a good rider but to be fair, it's a hell of a lot easier doing a set
of loops without any lines than doing them inside a pre defined set of
lines.

There's not only the physical but the psychological working when you have a
definate set of lines to work within. And when you have an instructor
looming over your shoulder failing you for a single imperfect loop.

Bear in mind though, that the California DMV test is the test a "beginner"
would take in order to get their license - while this rider is probably not
anywhere near a beginner.

In fact, I think, just maybe, based only on my review of this mpeg, and
save for the diameter, this rider would have failed the California DMV
test.

You'll notice this rider, while good, isn't keeping a perfect circle which
the California DMV test requires. On the other hand, his "imperfect" circle
does look tighter than that of the California DMV test, so I should cut him
some slack on his technique.

I'll bet if he had a 13 foot circle painted on the ground, he'd not be able
to do what he just did. Try it some day. You can loop around with abandon
when you get to choose roughly where to go - but it gets infinately harder
if someone else tells you exactly where to go and you have to keep a
perfect circle to do so without straying outside white lines you can't even
see even if you were looking which you should not do.

 

If I get a chance, I'll snap a pic of the course. They DO have a sign
saying you can't practice under penalty of law.

And they do kick you out if you practice during a weekday as there is
always a security guard at the DMV near me.

But if you post a sentry, you can generally practice on weekends without
too many interuptions as the police don't cruise down that street all that
often on weekends.

Or you can practice after dark on weeknights.

Good luck!