Modern Vespa

I've passed the written test, long ago, and now need the skill test. Now, I find that the DMV locations that offer this test are not convenient. 30+ miles away (Vallejo... Vacaville...)

I have looked into taking the safety course suggested by DMV, but the contracted service, highly promoted and publicized, doesn't have classes scheduled anywhere in Northern California.

Anyone have a similar concern or solution?

Highly recommended: https://motorcycleschool.com/products/basic-riding-course

In checking the links provided by CA DMV, there is a map of training providers, though maybe you've dug around already. It's not unusual to find some are not all are still active, and maybe the links haven't been verified lately. Not sure what part of the Bay Area you're located. If north of the golden gate, Santa Rosa or Vallejo is probably most convenient. The school locations aren't as plentiful as Starbucks for sure.

https://motorcyclesafetyca.com/

And in Santa Rosa, (looks like $425 for the beginner class):
https://register.msi5.com/webreg/production/reactapp/?book=CANCMT&SC=SAR&LAP=26&CC=MTC,EMTC

I'm in Marin Co. and 4 years ago the closest beginner class for me was at SF City College. But since they had 3 shipping containers full of decent bikes to learn on, it wasn't a hardship to drive 22miles for a 2-day class. I miss that little Suzuki dr200 I got to use. I'd have driven to Gilroy or Sacramento though if that was the closest class. I was impressed with the instructors.

You have a GTS300 - what's the problem with going 30 miles to a DMV that does the lollipop test?

No motorcycle license just a class c driver's license for my GT200 maybe it's the same for a 300 in California

No, that's not the law in California. You absolutely need an M1 motorcycle endorsement to ride a GT200 in California.

Jess, Just a few years ago, I renewed my M1 in South San Jose at the Santa Teresa DMV. It might be a closer option for you. Note the circle for the test in the screenshot.

I think you probably meant to address the OP. I've got my M1 endorsement and have had for a long time.

bevman, I could not recommend jess' post. The Basic Rider Course teaches much more than just the laws of riding. Plus, if you pass the BRC, you are given a voucher that will add the M1 to your license. At least it does in AZ.

Wait, what? You could not? I was specifically recommending the MSF BRC course.

Oops! I could not recommend jess' suggestion more.

Now, that's what I meant.

Whew!

whew, indeed.

But, but - US folk say "I could care less" when they surely mean "I couldn't care less"...

Or is that part of the "Me either" vs "Me Neither" discussion.

Only a fool would try to apply logic and reason to the English language.

EDIT: Or possibly an English teach. But they're pretty silly.

FTFY Correct.

Weird Al's "Word Crimes" comes to mind. The subsequent lyric is " it means you do care, even just a little."

Yup...anything over 49cc in California, and ya' gotta have that M1. When I took the MSF Basic Course, in the classroom section, the instructor wanted us to mimic using the handbrake on our motorcycles. Everybody put out their right hand, of course, but I put out both. He asked if I rode a scooter. When I said I did, he told me to skip the little bikes they provided and to go ahead and take the course on my Vespa. Made things a whole lot easier for me!

Here in Texas there are Basic ,plus and Advance classes/training offered ($150). I have had my regular MC license for 54 yrs now. I took the advanced test/training to keep me sharp as possible, being an old guy ,and get a break on insurance ( very little $). It was worth while and fun because the on road test included evasive maneuvers, panic stops in curves, crash avoidance and the likes. All day class. Also I took a copy of the certificate to the DMV to file . The next time your license is to be renewed this may help (IMO) being an older MC rider with this endorsement in the eyes of the DMV-or maybe not. Do other states have various MC safety programs ?

I have a class c California driver's license and since purchasing my gt200 5yrs ago and doing all necessary paperwork including trying to obtain my mc1 licence at the dmv was told I didn't need it for this bike my insurance has seen my class c dl and didn't red flag it also registered the bike every year and have been pulled over for speeding produced all documents with no problems and wasn't given a ticket because he said he didn't catch me on radar but he wasn't sure how fast I was going .

I am 100% positive that in the state of California, you need an M1 endorsement for anything above a moped.

But you don't have to take my word for it. Here's the CA DMV handbook: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/motorcycle-handbook/license-requirements/

you 1000% need a MC endorsement to operate anything two wheeled with a motor in the state of California.

just because you got pulled over and the popo didn't jam you up doesn't mean you're in the clear.

"operating out of license" is an automatic impound and a hefty fine. on top of that, if you're in an accident regardless of fault, insurance and medical can deny any claim and the other party can come after you personally.

an insurance carrier didn't catch it or doesn't require an M1 would send reg flags for me, personally.

+1 ^^

And the CA DMV will often tack on 20 class C written questions in addition to the M1 written exam just for good measure.

that is no joke.

I had to re-up all of my license requirements last year. it was the perfect storm of renewing my class A and new testing protocols for air brake and hazmat that coincided with my regular class C and M1 being within the window for renewal... this precipitated a level of skullduggery no person should ever have to endure. multiple DMV trips, multiple applications, multiple eye exams, multiple sets of documents, in triplicate.

I know more about the nuances of licensing the I would ever care to know and yet still, the DMV remains a total mystery of a) how anything ever gets done and b)how entirely subjective rules can be, even when in writing.

I trust MV 100% so it Looks like a trip to the dmv this should be interesting I will post my results as soon as I can get there.

FYI, if you apply for your endorsement it is almost a 100% possibility that you will have to retest for your class C at the same time.

oh and if you don't have your "real ID" yet, they'll try and make you get that at the same time.

which means... well, you'll find out.

anyway, get the book and study up. they've changed the test in the last few years.

I've had to take two written tests, the Class C and the M1. Each was 10 questions. Otherwise it wasn't awful. And once you are older than 65 you may have to take the written tests every time, and they can order you to take the driving or riding tests, too. It all depends on how feeble they think you are. My next renewal will come up at the end of 2026.

One issue I had was there are "recommendations" in the written materials that are not law, and they ask test questions based on them anyway. The marked wrong my answer to where in your lane you should stop at a red light. Left side, right side or middle. I don't like the middle because it's often oily and slippery, but they do.

If you've ever had advanced M/C training, then put your skills to one side when answering the questions, as the DMV answers are in some cases diametrically opposed to what an advanced instructor would advise.

This is a similar situation to the CBT training in the UK - they tell the (assumed to be newbie) riders to ride in the middle of the lane 'for the moment, but you'll eventually learn where you really should be'.

My wife was going to get her learners permit in CA. She took the online practice tests & passed every time. Took the test at DMV, failed, took it a 2nd time failed again. Studied the paper manual as the person at the counter suggested & took the test the 3rd time, passed.

Just got my scooter license about a year and a half ago.

Took the MSF class (https://2wheelsafety.com/) (Used my scooter for the class!) They are in the SF Bay Area - I took mine down at Gavilan, in Gilroy... which is a bit of a drive, but Skip's good. I'll be sending my oldest kid to that class in about a year.

Then walked into the DMV, handed them the paperwork, took the MC written, the car written, and walked out with my new license. They told me that as of 2020, whenever you add an endorsment, you have to retake the writtens for ALL your endorsements.

Although that's a PITA, I actually agree with it. It can only help road safety.

nope

During COVID they let you take the written tests online, and that was far better than doing it at the DMV. Anything to get me out of there! But seriously, the problems I see with bad (as in unskilled, or clueless, or selfish, or just plain scared) driving are not screened out with written tests of the minutia of the rules. The person who sits at a traffic light waiting for the green and only then turns on the left turn signal can't be changed with a written test. The person who gets deep into their phone and doesn't move when traffic opens up, the fool who carefully stops at a red light and then slowly and cautiously goes right on red and doesn't speed up to the normal flow won't be changed by studying for the written test.

They still let you take the tests online - BUT you have to allow all sorts of things you normally wouldn't to happen to your computer - 3rd party cookies, pop-ups, no adblockers, no Privacy Badger or its ilk. So when I recently (due to age) had to renew my licence I went to the DMV to do it instead. Oh, and it goes via a http rather than an https intermediary as well. Not that that matters much in all reality.


If govmint websites want to be taken seriously, they need to address security properly. Making sure all their statements are unambiguous would be a good start, but I won't hold my breath.

Yes, the California exceptions are sidecar rides and 3-wheel motorcycles/scooters. Apparently a class C license does work in those cases. Up here in Oregon (where I have owned a sidecar Ural and an MP3), a motorcycle endorsement is required for all.

I'm the contrarian: I didn't think motorcycleschool.com was worth it.

When I did it, it was really poorly organized: they make you get there at 6:45am for fear of failure, but they weren't actually ready anytime near then. Had a couple old hippies who had been riding forever trying to read out a slide deck for a few hours each morning, then an awkwardly long break in a desolate part of the city, then the practicals. You weren't allowed to pass, and there's always a kid who's afraid to get up to 2nd gear. The class was overcrowded, so you didn't have time to actually learn anything - do a lap or two in each section and move on.

I think you could learn more at home with a decent book and/or YouTube, and then just do the test at the DMV. (Maybe a CMSP class in another jurisdiction would be better.)