How To Obtain Your California Motorcycle License
Tired of riding your bicycle, walking or driving a car and looking to invest in a motorcycle? Then you’re going to need a motorcycle license! A motorcycle offers you cost-effective, fast and fun transportation for pleasure riding, commuting, touring trips and more. You just need to make sure that you’re ready and legally prepared to ride one before you invest in it.
Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County in Westminster is your California motorcycle dealer. In California, you need to have a Class M1 license, also known as a motorcycle endorsement, to ride your motorcycle. Here are the steps needed to obtain your California motorcycle endorsement.
1. Take a Class
You’ll need to complete a California Motorcyclist Safety Program or obtain some form of training before you can get your license. The CMSP isn’t necessary if you have some other training or class you can attend, but it’s highly recommended that you find formal motorcycle training of some kind to get you up to speed before you take the exam. Also, taking the CMSP means you won’t have to pass a skills test at the DMV, which can save you some time.
If you are under the age of 21, the CMSP training course is mandatory and you’ll need to have a motorcycle learning permit for at least six months before you can obtain the endorsement.
2. Get Your Permit
To receive the permit once you’ve trained up, you’ll need to present your ID or California driver’s license at the DMV, complete a DL 44 form and pay a $33 application fee, pass both written and vision tests, provide a thumbprint and take a photo for your permit. You should be able to receive the permit immediately upon completion of these tasks and then you will be legally allowed to ride your motorcycle.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice
Of course, once you’ve got your motorcycle endorsement, you won’t be an expert immediately. It’s important to put in some practice to make yourself more comfortable with riding a motorcycle, since it’s very different from driving a car. You can always ask an experienced motorcyclist friend to give you some pointers or attend further classes. It’s also smart to head to an empty parking lot or open back road to practice turning, reversing, braking and accelerating without any other traffic around you. Doing so will help you to be a more confident rider.
Looking to purchase a new bike to go with that shiny new license? Come by our dealership in Westminster, CA, to check out our stock of new and used motorcycles for sale. Indian Motorcycle® of Orange County proudly serves Los Angeles and all of Orange County.