Driving test

Originally written by gilberth on 5/17/2008 6:16 AM

In order to save some $ on my insurance estimate I took a driving test at my DMV here in CA yesterday.
I disconnected my s/c and rode my '74 Guzzi to DMV. When I got there I was told to go through a series of cones (OK) and then do two rotations inside a painted circle about 20' in diameter. I was not allowed to put a foot down or touch a line. I found this to be extremely difficult and didn't pass.
I'm allowed to try it again up to 3 times (a Harley owner came up to me after my test and said he's failed twice, a common theme I heard repeated many times since reading about this on the net).
Many suggestions also to rent or borrow a small cc bike to take the test on or do a MSF class for $250 (which qualifies for the M1 license and takes the place of the dreaded DMV test.
While each of these suggestions have their merits it seems that the most reliable test and class would be on a bike I ride, which includes a s/c.
Unfortunately there are no sidecar classes in my area and I'm not sure if they'd qualify for getting a M1 license.
Ironically in order to drive a rig in CA only a standard driver's license is required and not the M1.
Howard
'74 Guzzi & '72 Velorex 560

I took that test in Sacramento to get my motorcycle endorsement for M1. I was on a 1993 Honda Shadow at the time and it was almost more than I could do but I managed it. The Honda has a terribly long fork rake and it really didn't want to turn so sharply. The test conductor let me practice a couple of times before taking the actual test so that helped.

I would suggest borrowing or renting a bike for the test. Something like a 125cc dual-sport dirt bike with street-legal components will get you through. If fact, there used to be a guy in City Bike magazine who would rent such a bike especially for the DMV test.

As far as I know, there is no requirement that the bike you test on has to be owned by you or has to be your regular bike.

I keep hearing that the way to pass it is to use a small bike like you did.
I wonder if other states have similarly difficult tests that are nearly impossible for the new rider to pass on their own touring bikes?
It certainly doesn't serve any useful purpose as going slowly inside a circle hardly transfers to the real world (unless I wanted to compete in bike rodeos).
Howard

Originally written by gilberth on 5/17/2008 7:18 AM

I keep hearing that the way to pass it is to use a small bike like you did.
I wonder if other states have similarly difficult tests that are nearly impossible for the new rider to pass on their own touring bikes?
It certainly doesn't serve any useful purpose as going slowly inside a circle hardly transfers to the real world (unless I wanted to compete in bike rodeos).
Howard

I really don't know about other states. It's clear that the Cal. DMV test is not relevant to road safety. It might help for parking but it won't teach anything about being safe on the highway.

In any case, I would get a lightweight bike to take the test.

By the way, you said that you could get a lower rate if you pass the DMV test. Do you already have your M1 endorsement? I had to take the test to get the M1. In my case, it had nothing to do with insurance rates.

I don't think you need an M1 to run a sidecar, however. I could be wrong but that issue came up a while back when Gov. Scharzenegger had a minor crash on his HD rig. He had no M1 endorsement but it was mentioned in the paper that this was OK since he had a drivers license and no M1 was required for the sidecar.

I have a permit which allows me to drive for a year as long as I don't carry a passenger or ride on the highway.
No M1 license is required in CA for a s/c rig.
They consider it a vehicle when the s/c is attached. You just need a standard drivers license.
Howard

If you want to learn how to handle a solo bike and pass that test, take the MSF class. I strongly recommend doing so if you might use your endorsement to ride a solo bike occasionally or sometime in the future.

If you just want to pass the test, borrow a small, light bike, such as a Rebel, and practice that exercise in a parking lot until you have it nailed-then go take the test on the same bike.

Consider taking a sidecar class to improve your skills and safety on a sidecar.

Originally written by gilberth on 5/17/2008 8:18 AM

I keep hearing that the way to pass it is to use a small bike like you did.
I wonder if other states have similarly difficult tests that are nearly impossible for the new rider to pass on their own touring bikes?
It certainly doesn't serve any useful purpose as going slowly inside a circle hardly transfers to the real world (unless I wanted to compete in bike rodeos).
Howard

I don't know ow it is today, but in 1979 I had to take the test in Minnesota. I had a Wisconsin license, but when I moved to MN they made me retake auto and motorcycle tests. I tried in Rushford, MN (on a 76 FLH, complete with bags and fishtails} and was asked to do the same thing on a narrow street with cars parked on both sides. When I failed, I got off the bike and tried to push it in a radius that tight and was unable to do so. The examiners response was that those things have no business on the road anyway.

The next morning I rode up to Rochester and took it on a marked course and passed with flying colors.

As a footnote, I've lived in a half dozen states. Each one of them required that I turn in my previous license and take a written test. Only Minnesota made me retake everything.

My wife took her first drivers license test in L.A. using our then 1956 Oldsmobile 4 dr. sedan. She failed because the inspector told her to make a three-point "Y" turn on a narrow street. In other words, turn left into a driveway. Back out and go the other direction.

The poor thing failed because the car had no power steering and she lacked the physical strength to muscle the car into the turn.

We borrowed my Dad's Ford Fairlane that had power steering and went to another testing station where she passed. There's more than one way to skin a cat with the DMV.

In general, they lack the intimate knowledge to test motorcycle riding and could care less whether your bike has a proper turning radius or not. I try to say away from the DMV if at all possible.

I think I'll retake the test but with a different bike this time.
Any suggestions on what kind of bike is the most nimble at doing a slow speed
obstacle course?
Howard

Originally written by gilberth on 5/18/2008 4:24 AM

I think I'll retake the test but with a different bike this time.
Any suggestions on what kind of bike is the most nimble at doing a slow speed
obstacle course?
Howard

Any sort of smaller bike with a decent turning radius. Just make sure that there's no lower limit to get the M1 endorsement. You don't want the M2 for scooters and such.

I took and failed the circle test years ago. My problem was that I tried to keep both wheels in the circle. The tester told me that you only had to keep the front wheel betwen the lines. Once I quit worrying about the back wheel, the task was MUCH easier - a couple of practice runs and I was able to do it. That was on a BMW R65.

Originally written by punkozuna on 5/18/2008 10:33 AM

I took and failed the circle test years ago. My problem was that I tried to keep both wheels in the circle. The tester told me that you only had to keep the front wheel betwen the lines. Once I quit worrying about the back wheel, the task was MUCH easier - a couple of practice runs and I was able to do it. That was on a BMW R65.

Back when we were in the GWRRA, someone had a test set up at a Rally. They had a series of circles painted on the asphalt, all starting at the same spot but in increasingly larger diameters. Imagine whacking a target on it's side and all the circles drop to one side. It was fun watching the riders compete. The winner was a 15 year old riding his dad's GL1500. I swear, the kid literally turned the handlebar to it's stop and rotated 360 degrees with both feet on the pegs. I had a sidecar, so they wouldn't let me compete. :0)
An interesting piece of trivia; You could start facing either direction, whichever you felt most comfortable turning. Without exception, every male competitor chose to turn left and every single female turned right. Left brain, right brain?

There used to be somebody advertising a small bike to rent for these tests in the back of CityBike- a very good FREE publication based in SF. I'm sure there is a box or 3 in Napa, but give them a call for the nearest location.

Just wondering, but can you take the test on your rig, or do you ride solo, too?

Originally written by Uncle Ernie on 5/18/2008 11:12 AM

There used to be somebody advertising a small bike to rent for these tests in the back of CityBike- a very good FREE publication based in SF. I'm sure there is a box or 3 in Napa, but give them a call for the nearest location.

Just wondering, but can you take the test on your rig, or do you ride solo, too?

Right, there was an ad in City Bike for a lightweight for the DMV.

No, you can't test on the sidecar rig since they won't give you an M1. You don't need an M1 to run a sidecar. You would only need a helmet.

I took the same test in Oceanside CA. years back on my BMW R75/5. It was a little shaky on the
'lolli-pop" but I made it on the first try. My wifes' /5 was too high geared to go that slow so we borrowed a little 150cc scooter for her. (the minimum size bike allowed was 150cc) The Oceanside DMV course was in a parking lot so she could practice after hours. She passed it on the first try. ( Duuuuh, I failed the written test the first try, my wife passed, took a while to live that one down.) D. Smith Montana