Modern Vespa

Hey all. I just got a new 2010 LXV 150!
I have my learner's permit and have been practicing riding around for several days now. I think I'm ready to take the Washington, DC road test in Brentwood. The problem is I don't know anyone that has a motorcycle license in DC.

Anyone out there willing to accompany me from Foggy Bottom to Brentwood this week?

PS. if you are interested in pics, check out page 2 of my other thread:
New to forum: purchasing LXV 150 on saturday - NEW PICS!!!

If you can't find anyone here, try joining a scooter club in your area and see if some kind soul wouldn't mind assisting you.

Good luck on your test!

Why do you need someone to accompany you?

I also think you need to get an appointment for the MC part of the exam - you can't just show up, but call them and see.

In DC, a learner's permit has a restriction on it; you must drive with another fully licensed motorcyclist (on their own scooter/motorcycle next to you).

I think if you show up at the DMV to take the road test without someone that is licensed then they just assume you drove it there illegally. It's pretty stupid.

I would hook you up but I am in California's Capitol and it's too far for such a short visit...

Wow, interesting restriction but I like it. I am certain someone will pop up today on MV and assist, if you were in So Cal many would be willing to help you.

Good luck to you and congrats on doing it right.

SDG

We have the same restrictions on the learner permit in NY State. However, the additional kink here is that you have to show up for the exam with your motorbike, someone with a valid motorcycle license and a car to drive the examiner around. So, basically you drive there in your car while your chaperone rides your bike, then trade places and you do the exam on your bike while the chaperone drives behind you with the examiner. Which of course makes it rather hard to do with someone you barely know.

Anyway, if you go this way make sure you don't need a car there too. As an alternative, I actually would recommend to do what I did: take one of the local Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses (I am sure there is at least one in DC), successful completion of which which usually also counts for your motorcycle license road test (but check with your DMV).

In fact, I just took mine this past weekend (and passed - yeah!). In addition to taking away a lot of the road test stress, the course is amazingly useful to learn about basic bike handling and safety issues that one may not even think about, including people with extensive biking experience. Highly recommended.

Yeah I live in DC.

Never had anyone show up with anyone else at the exam. I don't think they care much since they don't even follow you on the test, they just tell you to go around the block and come back.

Maryland is the only state in the Capital region in which the DMV seems to enforce this. You should be fine.

LOL, so you are supposed to fail only if you have a major accident while riding around the block?

LOL?! are you kidding? So the driving exam in DC doesn't involve cones or anything of the sort?

Did you take your driving test in DC? If so, what did your test include? I can't find any blogs/info about it.

Been riding 20 years and never had a M/C license (knock on wood).

Lot of my friends have gone though - basically they check all your paperwork to ensure you are registered, tagged, and insured, then he'll watch you start the bike, tell you to go to the end of the lot, stop, go around the corner and come back.

If you don't drop it when he's looking at you then you pass.

Ha. so you've never gotten pulled over on a motorcycle in 20 years? that's incredible.

Numerous times - went to jail once for "criminal speed" in DC (90+ mph in a 25 mph road), which is a felony.

Always seem to get out of them though

You can go to www.wmasa.org and ask about DC licensing there. Lots of DC people, though it skews vintage and more abrasive than here you will still get some better advice.

I saw you yesterday, not riding with someone with a valid MC license...

I turned left in front of you into the Home Depot. Were you headed to Modern Classics?

hahaha. that's funny. I think i was around there yesterday.
I actually went to take the road test yesterday in Brentwood at 3:30 (I drove there by myself "illegally") and then (after passing the test), was cruising around all over town (legally) for like 3 hours until my head started to hurt!

What kind of vespa were you on? I'm guessing you spotted my helmet?

In case anyone is wondering, the road test in DC consisted of driving around a building located in the center of a large parking lot. Then driving around it twice more while leaning/swerving left to right, right to left various times. Finally, I had to do a figure eight in the direction of my choice.

I'd say it's harder to find the road test facility then it is to pass the test.

Ah they must have changed it due to the construction in the area.

Did you have to make an appointment or just show up?

Yep, saw the helmet. I was on my 73 Yamaha RD.

In Ohio the penalty for no motorcycle endorsement is a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail. They rarely whack you for that much but that's what is on the books.

yeah there was tons of construction over there. i had trouble finding the place. the actual DMV there closed permanently as well. The only thing they have there is the road test office which is even harder to find.

Yeah i scheduled the appointment on monday after you told me how easy it was and that they don't care if you show up unescorted.

im usually on the lookout for fellow vespa riders. i dont see that many though. most of are those Vino scooters. there are always vespas parked on P street but I dont see that many on the road. Do you have a vespa as well? that's ridiculous. people that have motorcycle licenses are far less ubiquitous than people that have normal driver's licenses. how can they expect someone that only has a permit to know someone to practice with. In metropolitan cities like DC, they should make it far easier for people to drive 2 wheeled vehicles in an attempt to reduce cars in the city.

Yup,$1,000.00 fine here too, but no jail time unless you can't pay the fine. Then the penalty is 6 months in jail ... generally out in 3! It amazes me how many kids ride here without any license of any kind, no helmet and on illegal bikes as well! Unfortunately, our police are ill equipped to catch them!

it probably has more to do with people that don't even have a permit as well. I've been told several times that around here its not that big of a deal to not have a MC license

Maryland is even worse in that you can't ride on the roads with a learner's permit unless accompanied by someone who has held a motorcycle endorsement FOR THREE YEARS!

At the time I had my permit, I didn't even know anyone who could legally accompany me.

Yet another reason to take the MSF course. The easiest way (in Maryland) to get your license is:

1. Attend MSF course.
2. Pass MSF course.
3. Take paper saying you passed to the MVA and get the class M added to your license.
4. Get a bike and start riding.

Same story in Texas. It pays to take the MSF class any way you look at it. That's probably because until sometime in the last 15 years, you didn't even need a motorcycle license in Oklahoma if you had a car license. The only people that seemed to get MC licenses when I lived there were kids who wanted to drive something before they turned 16. I knew a lot of 14 year olds with MC licenses Maybe people don't realize that it has changed.