License test in the old days.

[gbw]

Have you seen the new riding test? :-k
Click HERE.
For the four-wheel version of the driving test, click HERE.

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

 

[dorkburger]

My father got his cycle license in the 50s. The tester told him ride down the street, make a u turn without putting your feet down, and ride back. Test over. The cycle license was also a separate document from a drivers license back then according to my dad.

 

[koolaid_kid]

When I got mine (mid-60s) the instructor got in the car driven by my dad and gave him instructions. I followed them around some city streets while the instructor watched me. Got back, went inside, got my license. The cones were there but he did not ask me to do them. Never understood why, but did not ask.

 

[luvnwunderwoman]

Got mine in Nashville in 1979 on a KZ650. The examiner told me to follow the car he was giving another test in. I got caught by the first light and had to stop. Circled the block and went back to the station to try again. Examiner got back and said I passed the test. Good thing because I had to ride the bike to the station for the test. I did not have a trailer and I didn't know anyone with a motorcycle license.

 

[Guest]

Great story, that made me smile, thanks. Ray

 

[GSXR7ED]

Wow!

Wow!

No test. There was no motorcycle license. If you had a drivers license, it covered motorcycles.

That's probably when there weren't as many riders as there are today earlfor.

I took mine 2 years ago at the Delaware DMV with MSF Trainers from Dover AFB. Here's the outline:

Classroom Instructions Covers:
The challenge of motorcycling
Motorcycle controls
Rider and motorcycle preparation
Basic riding skills
Street strategies
Advanced turning and braking techniques

Riding Instruction Includes:
Special riding situations
Dangers of impaired riding
Straight line riding, turning, shifting and stopping
Advanced turning and braking techniques
Collision avoidance maneuvers

We had the figure 8 in the box, points taken for putting foot down. We had to ride over a 2X4 and know how to absorb the impact. We had to accelerate to third gear and downshift to second accurately using both front and rear brakes. It was lots of fun! We had one guy drop his bike during the test which was an automatic retake of the course.

I enjoyed it and learned quite a bit in this 2 day course.


Ed

 

[pontiacstogo]

Got mine in NZ when I was 15 (somewhere around 1979). Back then you could get your full car or motorcycle license at 15 and there were no restrictions on new drivers. I decided to get my motorcycle license before my car license.

My parents both rode bikes - my dad went through a few different bikes over the years so I can't remember what he was riding then. My mum had a Suzuki FA50 so I figured the test would be easier on it.

The test consisted of a very short test ride where the instructor/tester followed you on his bike. I passed the test, but I was kinda glad to have the helmet on so no-one could see me tooling around on an FA50 .

 

[82Shafty]

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.

Watch a Jerry the Motorman DVD on slow speed cones. He'll ace it afterwards.

 

[82Shafty]

I became a licensed rider in 2006 on a '77 CB750SSF2.

I watched a Sporty fail twice in front of me. Not exactly confidence inspiring but he was cutting the cones way too close.

I knocked over one cone and aced everything else. Went and celebrated with Roadrash by getting a couple of loaded dogs and a victory ride.

 

[Brendan W]

The day I finally decided to get a full license I had graduated to a brand new Z650 and for ?10 you could take car and bike on the same day. I had no car experience but thought what the hell give it a lash. After 45 minutes in the car the tester got out and kissed the pavement - literally. Then he made me ride the bike across the car park and back. 'Sorry son', he said, ' You're grand on the bike but I can't let you anywhere near a car - not today.'

 

[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?

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