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Introduction to Motorcycling & UPDATED Basic RiderCourse
- It is required that a person enrolling in the Introduction to Motorcycling or UPDATED Basic RiderCourse be able to balance a two-wheeled vehicle (bicycle).
- We provide the motorcycle or scooter**
- No motorcycle riding experience necessary
- No license or permit needed to attend either course
- Older than 15 years, 6 months
**Scooters available at most locations upon request in advance of your course date.
For these entry level motorcycle lessons, participants do not need to have any motorcycle riding experience; however, sound bicycle riding skills are required. Participants will need to have the ability to balance and stabilize a two-wheeled vehicle before proper instruction can begin. If basic balance problems exist, riders may be referred to attend private instruction. If you choose to attend one of our courses, we STRONGLY recommend you practice riding a bicycle before the course.
Confident RiderCourse & Skills Practice Series
- Your own motorcycle and current motorcycle insurance
- Valid learners permit OR driver’s license with motorcycle endorsement.
Advanced Riding Techniques & Total Control
Introduction to Motorcycling – No
UPDATED Basic RiderCourse – Yes*, if written and riding evaluations passed successfully
Confident RiderCourse – Yes*, if you have a valid permit, your own motorcycle & insurance, and you successfully pass the riding evaluation.
Advanced Riding Technique – No
Total Control – No
Skills Practice Series – No
Private Instruction – Yes*, if written and riding evaluations passed successfully
*You will receive a “Motorcycle Safety Foundation Completion Card” when you have satisfactorily met the course completion requirements. When you take the Completion Card into an AZMVD Driver’s License office they will typically issue you a new license with the “L” endorsement added (historically it was an “M” but that was changed in 2019). This Completion Card is issued only to riders who successfully complete either an UPDATED Basic RidersCourse or Confident RidersCourse. (CRC Previously known as Intermediate).
TEAM Arizona will issue students who successfully pass the written and riding evaluation, and meet all of the course completion requirements, a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Completion Card. This card typically waives any additional testing. If you do not currently have a valid driver license, you may be required to pass the written test for a regular driver license at MVD before you can be issued a motorcycle license. If you need a replacement completion card, please contact us at (480) 418-1045 Replacement card fee is $20.
That depends. First check with your home state’s licensing authority. They may accept documentation from Arizona without question. If that will not work, get an Arizona Driver’s license after class. You can trade-in your home state license for an Arizona license; the motorcycle endorsement will be added at that time. When you go home, the endorsement should remain. For the most accurate, up-to-date information, contact the Arizona Motor Vehicles Department.
Introduction to Motorcycling & UPDATED Basic RiderCourse
We provide you with the motorcycle or scooter**; the following gear will be necessary:
- DOT Approved Helmet (3/4 or Full Face) – We Can Provide
- Eye Protection (CLEAR if course is at night)
- Full-Fingered Gloves – We Can Provide
- Long Sleeve Shirt/Jacket
- Sturdy pants (Denim)
- Sturdy, over-the-ankle footwear
**Scooters available at most locations upon request in advance of your course date
Confident RiderCourse & Skills Practice Series
You provide a well-maintained motorcycle. If you are using someone else’s machine you will need to have a notarized authorization letter from the owner, or the owner must be present at the start of the range session. The following gear will be necessary:
- DOT Approved Helmet (3/4 or Full Face) – We Can Provide
- Eye Protection (CLEAR if course is at night)
- Full-Fingered Gloves – We Can Provide
- Long Sleeve Shirt/Jacket
- Sturdy pants (Denim)
- Sturdy, over-the-ankle footwear
Advanced Riding Techniques & Total Control
You provide a well-maintained motorcycle. If you are using someone else’s machine you will need to have a notarized authorization letter from the owner, or the owner must be present at the start of the range session. The following gear will be necessary:
- DOT Approved Helmet (3/4 or Full Face) – We Can Provide
- Eye Protection (CLEAR if course is at night)
- Full-Fingered Gloves – We Can Provide
- Motorcycle specific riding jacket; leather jacket or mesh jacket OK (Some Jackets are Available- Call in Advance)
- Motorcycle specific pants; leather chaps, kevlar jeans, or mesh pants OK (Some Pants are Available- Call in Advance)
- Sturdy, over-the-ankle footwear.
Yes, as long as it is under 500cc, but it is not recommended. During the course you will be expected to perform a number of exercises. You may find that you are reluctant to perform some of the exercises, especially if you have a large, heavy motorcycle. There are no adjustments made to the exercises for different sizes of motorcycles and if you find that you are unable to operate your own motorcycle under the course conditions it may be too late to switch to one of the course bikes. If you do choose to ride your own motorcycle in the beginner’s course, Motorcycle Safety Foundation policy is that you must have a valid motorcycle permit, and you must
ride your own motorcycle to the class.
All of our bikes are standard layout, up to 500 cc, Most are between 125cc and 250cc. This makes them compact, lightweight, and as easy as possible to learn on. We have a variety of sizes and styles of motorcycles; standard, dual purpose, cruisers, and even some sport bikes. The mix of machines varies each weekend. Motorcycles are matched to students by seat height and rider inseam length, not by style. Sorry, but we cannot guarantee bike selection.You may also use a scooter for the class if you are only intending to ride a scooter after you graduate. We can supply a scooter for you at some of our locations.
For more than 98% of the students attending MSF’s UPDATED Basic RiderCourse, passing the class is a reality the first time. As much as we would enjoy having every student pass their course, it does not always happen. The UPDATED Basic Rider Course was designed to allow a majority of novice riders to develop the essential road riding skills within the standard course structure. Because riding a motorcycle involves the acquisition of physical skills, we know that not everyone will be successful on their first attempt. Students requiring additional practice time can arrange for private, 1-on-1 instruction with a RiderCoach. Extra charges will apply for extended instructional
services.
No worries! If a rider should fail one of the tests, written or riding, they will have to return to one of our locations and re-take the test. Riders will have 30 days in which to complete the course. The first re-test will be at no charge.
There are rider training sites nationwide. If you can’t come out to Arizona (winter is a great time to visit) there is probably a course near you. Check with your local motor vehicles department.
A motorcycle permit is not required ahead of time in order to take a motorcycle training course. However, when you are under 18 years of age, Arizona requires that you ride with a motorcycle permit for 6 months, or until you are 18 yrs old.
Once you have completed the riding course, the instructor will issue you with a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Completion Card. If you do not yet have a valid motorcycle permit, you will show the card to MVD and the state will issue you a learners permit.
After 6 months passes or upon reaching 18 yrs of age (whichever comes first), you would again show your MSF Completion Card to MVD and they will then issue your motorcycle endorsement.
There are two restrictions that we must comply with. First, the course segments must be taken in order. Second, we need to keep both of the riding days in the same course. It may be possible to take the first classroom session up to one month before participating in the remainder of the course, as long as you keep all of the riding sessions contained in a single scheduled course. If your schedule requires you to arrange for private instruction sessions, or to ride in two separate courses, then additional fees will be involved. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, so please call us and we will be glad to assist you if possible.
Spaces in the motorcycle classes are limited. Not unlike an airline reservation, the class will go on even if you are not there. If you do not attend a scheduled class, and do not provide us with at least two(2) business days notice, you will forfeit your course fee. All cancelled reservations are subject to a $35 administrative fee.
To view and download a copy of the Motorcycle Operators Manual CLICK HERE
Upon registration for a UPDATED Basic RiderCourse, we will provide you with a link to an online UPDATED Basic RiderCourse Handbook and a link to a practice evaluation to help you study for the written evaluation.
1. Choose the course date you would like to attend from the course schedule. Please keep in mind that during peak riding season, our courses are frequently full in advance.
2. You can book your course on line by clicking ‘schedule’ on the page that describes the course. Or you can call our office at (480) 418-1045, (623) 939-9888, (520) 733-9888, or (928) 771-2500. Spaces are reserved ONLY on receipt of payment. You may pay for your class space by mailing us a check or money order, or you may charge the course fee to a Master Card, Visa, AMEX or Discover cards. If you choose to reserve your course space by mailing us a check or money order you will be asked to choose an alternate course date, just in case your payment is delayed and the desired dates fill before the payment arrives. Again, no spaces will be reserved solely on the basis of a telephone call, the spaces are held only once we have received your payment.
3. Once your payment is confirmed we will email you all of the necessary course paperwork, including your registration form, a course information sheet, a letter with the course dates and times and a map.
4. All class spaces are guaranteed reservations and you must attend class at the time and place specified. If you do not attend a scheduled class, and do not provide us with at least two(2) business days notice, you will forfeit your course fee. All cancelled reservations are subject to a $35 administrative fee.
We strive to provide the best training experience possible. If you have any concerns regarding your training experience, please contact our headquarters immediately at 480.418.1045 or CONTACT US. If you’d also like to file your concern directly with the Arizona Department of Transportation, CLICK HERE.
You can buy Gift Certificates for any of our Courses, or you can buy Gift Certificates of various values to apply to any of our Courses. To buy Gift Certificates CLICK HERE
A 3-wheel motorcycle must meet the following design requirements:
- Three-track wheel orientation (leaves three separate tracks during straight-line operation) Dual wheels may be front or rear
- Motorcycle-based conversion or design with handlebar steering.
- Motorcycle-type controls arranged with the standard convention (convenience alterations such as a single brake pedal or lever control, automatic clutch, or automatic transmission are allowed)
- Saddle seating (Seating causes rider/passenger to straddle vehicle)
If designed for a passenger, passenger must be seated behind operator
- Turning diameter of the vehicle at its widest point must be less than 40 feet.
- The vehicle must meet all applicable federal/state on-road vehicle standards.
Unfortunately vehicles with the following designs characteristics can not be accommodated in the 3WBRC:
- Automotive hybrids or automotive conversions
- Vehicles with automotive controls or seating
- Vehicles with rear or front mounted engines (engines must be mounted midframe below the rider)
- Vehicles with enclosed or semi-enclosed riding compartments
- Any other significant departure from the standard motorcycle design.
Can a motorcycle with a sidecar or detachable ‘trike’ kit attend the 3WBRC class?
No. The 3WBRC was developed specifically for the 3-track, 3-wheel motorcycles only.
Does a participant need to have a personal 3-track, 3-wheel motorcycle to attend?
No, a participant does not need to provide their own vehicle. We provide four (4) Can Am vehicles or two (2) Trikes at our Gilbert location; three (3) Can Am vehicles and one (1) Trike at our Tucson HQ location; four (4) Can Am vehicles at our Peoria location, and three (3) Can Am vehicles can be provided at our Sierra Vista location.
It is acceptable for an attendee to rent a 3-Wheel motorcycle for the course. A personal motorcycle may be used, whether owned or borrowed (with written permission), if it meets the 3WBRC definition and is in safe operating condition (as determined by the RiderCoach).
