So you want to ride a motorcycle?

Firstly, congratulations, you have made the right choice. Life is better when seen from a motorbike's saddle...and that's a fact!

Squadra Guzzista is a worldwide concern. One look at the members' page tells you that we are spread far and wide, all united by our love of bikes and Guzzis of course, but all subject to different laws and regulations.

One of the key things about Squadra Guzzista is obviously to promote Moto Guzzi but I think also to promote motorcycling itself. We all know it is a tremendous pursuit, let's now convince others as well!

Our website is regularly seen by people all over the globe in fact, our pages have now been read more than 380,000 times, therefore it would be of benefit to a great many people to have a simple information point where one could go and have a quick look at the differences in legal requirements for learning to ride where we are from...I'll start with the UK:

How to ride that bike

	CBT:- In 1990 the CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) was introduced for new riders to reduce high accident rates among new riders. You need to complete this if you wish to ride a moped (not exceeding 50cc and/or 31 mph) or a motorcycle.Those with a full car licence taken prior to Feb 01 do not need to take it if they wish to ride a moped. It involves basic control and defensive techniques taken first on-site then on road. On passing certificate DL196 is issued. Training must be by a DSA (Dring Standards Agency) approved instructor and must be taken by attending an ATB (Authorised Training Body). DL196:- Lasts for 2 years within which one must apply for and pass the theory and full motorcycle test. With a Provisional driving licence it entitles you to ride a machine up to 125cc (not exceeding 11Kw) with learner "L" plates on the road during that period. If for moped use only the DL196 does not expire. Theory test:- Is in two parts, Multiple Choice questions and Hazard Perception test. The multiple choice is taken by use of a touch screen computer and the hazard perception is taken using a computer mouse to record your response. Both elements must be passed. Multiple Choice:- You will be asked questions with a range of possible answers and must select the correct response as outlined in the Highway Code. You will be asked 50 questions in 57 minutes and the pass threshold is 43 out of 50. Hazard Perception Test:- Is taken on the same day as the multiple choice. You are shown 14 video clips depicting everyday road scenes. Each will carry at least one hazard that you must identify as early as possible by clicking with your mouse. One clip has two hazards. The pass mark is 44 out of 75. You will receive the result of both the above on the day. Practical test:- Composed of a variety of elemts. The first is an eyesight test where you will be asked to read a number plate from a distance. You will also be asked two questions related to maintenance safety checks. The test itself is on the road and comprises the successful and textbook completion of a number of manouvres such as emergency stop and feet up u-turn as well as roadcraft. If you pass you will be issued a pass certificate and will be restricted to a machine producing a maximum of 33bhp (25kW) for two years. Direct Access:- Having taken the CBT and Theory test riders may take the practical training and test on a machine producing more than 35(kW). Passing allows you toi ride any size bike. More info:- Detailed info on the legal regulations etc may be found by visiting the Directgov website. Info by guzzista
	In the U.S. you take a relatively simple written test to get a "Learner's Permit". With this you may ride during daylight hours without a passenger. You may then either take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class, after which time they give you a full license, or just take a chance and take the driving test at a local Driver's Licensing Center. Laws vary by state. Some states offer a <250cc license, a 3 wheel only license, and an unlimited license. Some states, like Washington requires a special license for sidecar or trike, while California classifies a three wheeled motorcycle as an automobile and requires only an automobile license. Info by sidecarmike Here is the Penn Dept of Transportation link In Pennsylvania you can skip the road test if you have had the MSF course. Also all motorcycles, scooters, and even mopeds must be licensed and insured to be operated on public roads. The web site has lots of information even a PDF of the manual. Info by rea6385a Here's the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and here's the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation. That's the state I live in so it's the best one. :0) Info by sidecarmike
	Aha, this is Oz! Each State is different, and in WA, unlike the rest of Oz, we do not yet have the LAMS system, the restriction for a learner is still 250cc. LAMS: The same as wot youse got in the UK! Learner Approved Motorcycle System - 39kw/50bhp limit for learners. As I said of Westrayer, we've still got the 250cc nonsense, so the learner can get on a Repsol 250 Replica. Anyway the government link is here Info by sapper
	In Germany we call that a drivers license. (DL) The DL for cars includes Motorcycles up to 125cc and 50 Mph max. speed as far as it was issued 1985 or earlier. With the age of 18 you can apply for the A DL. With that you're allowed to ride a Motorcycle up tp 34 HP. After 2 years without having collected any points in the Central Register your A will be upgraded into A unlimited automatically. Somebody of 25 years or older can apply for an A unlimited-DL directly. The Test consists of 2 parts. In part one you have to prove that you know the law and the rules of traffic. This done by multiple choice forms. Part 2 is divided in two subdivisions. after having shown that you're able to handle the bike by driving u-turns, circles, slalom fast and slow as well as going extremely slow, you've qualified for the second part, which is driving in normal city traffic for at least an half hour. The process of teaching theory an practice as well is the job of driving schools which are run privetly. The test itself is done by an officialy cetrified expert. During the driving lessons you're alone on the bike but followed by the teacher in a car and connected by radio. The costs for an A-unlimited ist about 1200 Euro (depending on the number of driving lessons). Regards Richard. (Alabama39)
	In Belgium. First you have to take a test on the computer, 50 questions, you can make 5 mistakes. You have to take 4 lessons from 2H. 4 the exam, first they ask you some questions about the bike, how to check the oil or the brake fluid…etc. Now you have to pull you bike backwards in a ½ circle without touching the lines. Slalom slowly between pins 1meter apart to a 8 figure 4meter diameter, make 2 8 figures, come out and en take a big turn at min 30km/h. Accelerate to min 50 coming out of the turn avoid an obstacle en stop with your front wheel in to a circle. Turn, drive to 2 lines about 50cm apart end 10 meters long, stay between the lines for min 12 sec. Take the big turn again come out at 50km/u and slam the brakes, you have to stop before the line. During the test you can make 1 mistake, otherwise you have to do the entire test again. You can never touch the ground, when braking the wheels can't slip or when you have abs, it may not work. If you fall, the test is over. Driving less then 50 coming out of the turn you fail. Only when it rains you are allowed 45km/h. If you succeed, you can then do the road test, which takes about 20min. That’s all, now you can drive a bike in Belgium. I posted a picture of a typical test centre on my profile. Info by chase1970
	I am in Kuwait at the moment where if you turn up to the driving test centre on a sidecar combination they give you a full bike licence automatically 'cos they cannot test sidecars! Fortunately their hospital intensive care wards are quite good here...Info by delhispearman
	I'm in Canada in the Province of British Columbia. Every province here has different rules and regs and BC has a list as long as your arm. Back in '68 when I got it here I took a written test and took a lap around the block while the inspector looked at girls..I passed! haha If anybody is remotely interested go to this link and check it out. It still doesn't stop all the newbees from crashing their crotch rockets at high speeds but nothing ever will. Info by cbluez

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