Page 7 - Final GA Motorcycle Operators Manual Updated June 2021

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SECTION : MOTORCYCLE RIDER LICENSING

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSES

Different Types of Vehicles
When looking at different types of motorcycles All riders are also encouraged to attend a rider education
or motor-driven cycles, you will see the term “cc” course which provides knowledge and hands-on training
along with a number: 250cc, 500cc, 750cc. The before receiving a motorcycle operator’s license.
“cc” is an abbreviation for cubic centimeter, the Under the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (see Table of
volume of fuel mixed with air that powers motor- Contents page), you may earn a License Test Waiver for
cycles. Road-legal motorcycles, scooters, and even your Class M Motorcycle License in the Basic RiderCourse
mopeds can have engines ranging from 50cc to and Basic RiderCourse 2. A 90-day license test waiver is
more than 2,000cc. A motorcycle with a higher cc provided to successful graduates.
will weigh more and therefore have more power
and be able to move more weight at faster speeds. Check out the rider education courses at The Georgia You can also view rider
Motorcycle Safety Program at http://dds.georgia.gov/ education courses online by
Motorcycles motorcycle-safety-program. scanning this QR code with
Every motor vehicle having a saddle for the your mobile device.
use of the rider, is controlled by handlebars, and
designed to travel on not more than three wheels
in contact with the ground, but excluding a trac- professional training in motorcycle handling 1.3 – The Rider Skills Test
tor and moped (with engine size not exceeding (motorcycles are provided) as well as earn a
50cc), is defined as a motorcycle. Georgia law License Test Waiver (if you successfully complete Safe motorcycle riding depends largely on
places all types of motorcycles (including scoot- the course). your knowledge and skills. The skills for motor-
ers, motorbikes and mini-bikes with engine size The License Test Waiver will allow you to cycling require a lot of practice. If you have just
51cc or greater) into one classification. All are con- bypass the knowledge test and the on-cycle skills learned to handle a motorcycle and have very
sidered motor-driven cycles. A Class M License or test at a DDS Customer Service Center. See the little riding experience, then the most important
a Class M Instructional Permit (MP) is required section on the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Pro- part of learning to ride is still ahead.
to legally operate a motorcycle or motor-driven gram in this manual. You may wish to take a Georgia Motorcycle
cycle in Georgia. The other method is to apply directly at a DDS Safety Program rider education course that offers
Customer Service Center. To earn your license, a License Test Waiver. For more information about
Mopeds you must pass a knowledge test and an on-cycle locations and schedules, visit dds.georgia.gov.
skills test (on your own motorcycle). You must The Rider Skills Test (RST) is used for both two-
A moped is defined as any motor driven cycle
with an engine not exceeding 50cc (3.05 cubic also pass a vision test. If the vision test was wheeled (RST-2W) and three-wheeled vehicles
inches). Mopeds are exempt from the provisions administered and passed during the year in (RST-3W). The following pages highlight the test-
relating to the registration and licensing of motor conjunction with another license issuance, this ing patterns for both the two-wheel and three-
vehicles. vision test may be waived. wheel test.
Knowledge Test – you will need to take and suc- Both tests consist of four riding evaluations
cessfully pass the Knowledge test. Knowledge test that measure your control of the motorcycle and
Rules to operate mopeds on Georgia roads questions are based on information, practices and your hazard-response skills. The final two exer-
and highways: ideas from this manual. They require that you cises involve speeds of about 15-20 miles per hour.
know and understand road rules and safe riding You will be scored on time/distance stan-
practices. NOTE: This requirement is waived for dards as well as path violations. The test may be
1. Must be at least 15 years of age and possess a applicants who have successfully completed a ended early for point accumulation, committing
valid driver’s license, instructional permit or Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program License Test an unsafe act, or failure to understand or follow
limited permit. instructions.
Waiver rider education course.
2. Must wear protective headgear (U.S. Depart- When you report for your test:
ment of Transportation (DOT) compliant Rider Skills Test – you will need to take and • You must have a DOT compliant helmet, eye
motorcycle helmet). successfully pass an on-cycle skills test, which protection and closed toe footwear.
consists of a series of exercises designed to dem-
3. No tag is required. onstrate your basic skills in operating a motorcy- • For safety, it is suggested that you wear long
cle. NOTE: This requirement is waived for appli- sleeves, long pants and gloves.
4. Must obey the same traffic laws governing
drivers of motor vehicles. cants who have successfully completed a Georgia • You must furnish a street-legal motor-driven
Motorcycle Safety Program 90-Day License Test cycle for the test and pass a safety inspection
5. May not use limited access highways or other Waiver rider education course. of the motorcycle by the DDS license examiner
roadways where the minimum speed limit is You must furnish a motorcycle for the test and before the riding test is given.
above 35 mph. pass a safety inspection of the motorcycle by the
DDS license examiner before the on-cycle skills PLEASE NOTE: You have the right to can-
1.2 – Required Motorcycle test is given. cel the test at any time. Inform the DDS driver
License Tests Basic vehicle control and crash-avoidance skills examiner that you do not wish to continue the
are included to determine your ability to handle test. The examiner will explain the conditions
normal and hazardous traffic situations. for rescheduling the test.
Safe riding requires knowledge and skill.
Licensing tests are the best measurement of the The on-cycle skills test is designed for single- The DDS license examiner also has the right
basic skills necessary to operate safely in traffic. track vehicles (motorcycles) and multi-track to stop the test if you (a) fail to demonstrate basic
Assessing your own skills is not enough. People vehicles (motorcycles with sidecars, and three- control skills, (b) accumulate more than the maxi-
often over-estimate their own abilities. It’s even wheeled vehicles). Motorcycles with sidecars and mum number of penalty points allowed, (c) com-
harder for friends and relatives to be totally three-wheeled vehicles maneuver differently mit any unsafe act (d) fail to understand or follow
honest about your skills. Licensing exams are than a two-wheeled single-track motorcycle. directions, or (e) fall from or drop the motorcycle.
designed to be scored more objectively. Vehicles outside of test standards may be required Finally, all testing may be suspended due to
There are two ways to earn a motorcycle to use a car test route. Please be mindful on-cycle inclement weather, equipment failure or other
license. You can take a Georgia Motorcycle testing cannot be completed in an autocycle (i.e. circumstances beyond the control of you or the
Safety Program Course where you will receive three-wheel car-like vehicles). examiner.

Georgia Motorcycle Operators Manual 5