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The clipping this text was read from
The clipping this text was read from

How TO GET A MOTORCYCLE ENDORSEMENT

According to Virginia State Police Sgt. Franz Mahler of the Area 12 Office in Warrenton, everyone who drives a motorcycle is supposed to have either a motorcycle endorsement on their regular driver’s license, or a separate motorcycle license. Riders who are caught without one face “stiff” penalties, according to Virginia State Police Sgt. Frank Ingham, also of the Area 12 Office. The offense is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine, he said.

In order to get a motorcycle endorsement or license, applicants must: • Pass the required vision screening.

• Pass a “motorcycle knowledge exam.”

• Pass a motorcycle road skills test.

According to the Department of Motor Vehicles Web site, the “knowledge exam” consists of 25 questions based on information in the Motorcycle Operator Manual. Applicants must pass the exam before taking the skills test. The road skills test includes exercises that measure the driver’s ability to handle a motorcycle, including starting, accelerating, shifting, turning, braking and swerving. In order to pass, applicants must successfully complete all of the skills exercises.

The DMV will waive the road skills test for riders who have completed a motorcycle rider training course. Riders who have completed such a class within two years should bring their course completion card to the DMV when they apply for their motorcycle endorsement or license. The DMV’s Virginia Rider Training program is offered at 15 community colleges throughout the state. The DMV and the Motorcycle League of Virginia Inc., also provide a mobile motorcycle training unit for people in remote parts of the state. For more information about the mobile unit, those interested may call the motorcycle Safety League at (888) 826-7584. To get more information about a motorcycle rider training course, call (800) 446-9227, (866) DMV-LINE, or (800) 435-5137.

A list of colleges where the classes are offered may be accessed by visiting the DMV Web site at www.dmv.state.va.us.

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