Did you take your driving test with your scooter?

nelscoot · Post by **nelscoot** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 9:21 pm

Hi,
just wondering what technique was used to take the driving test.
Its actually pretty hard to drive the scoot. real slow, with the powerband.
Also not being able to see the front tire.

I'm finding that using the brakes in combo with the gas seems to be the way.

Anybody have any advise?

Thanks,

Nelscoot

pcameronbrooks · Post by **pcameronbrooks** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:02 pm

Don't know if it's right but that's what I do. Good luck on your test.

cdwise · Post by **cdwise** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:05 pm

In Texas if you take the MSF course you don't have to take the riding test at the DPS. California allows you to waive the riding test if you take the MSF. I highly recommend doing so both because it will teach you somethings you don't know (even folks who have been riding for years find things they didn't know in the class like my brother who forgot to transfer his motorcycle endorsement so had to take the class or riding test when he started riding again) but will also let you take the skills test on their bikes.

FWIW, it is far easier to pass the riding skills test ona scooter than it is on a motorcycle. You'll need throttle control to pass the test with or without the brakes. If you are having trouble you'll need to practice more.

pcameronbrooks · Post by **pcameronbrooks** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:05 pm

Have you thought about taking the Motorcycle course.......if you pass you don't have to take test. Good way hone your riding skills.

I took the class....was great!! Use what I learned everyday.

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:10 pm

A billion +'s for the MSF course. I took mine on a motorcycle. It's really the only significant time I've spent on a motorcycle, but it allowed me to figure out the skills needed. Some will still let you do the course on a scoot, but I recommend the actual MC so you learn to shift and such. Makes a Buddy much easier!

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 10:13 pm

I took it on my scooter. The test is actually easier in some ways on a scoot with 10" wheels than a motorcycle with 16" wheels, especially the slow circles. (The MSF test is MUCH easier. Figure 8s? No prob!)

"Dragging" the rear brake is definitely the way to go to control that circle. The combination of throttle and brake helps maintain balance while making a low-speed turn. Takes some practice to find the right amount of each, though.

JohnKiniston · Post by **JohnKiniston** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:08 pm

Years Ago I took mine on a Honda Elite 80

They gave me a full license, I think I was supposed to get a restricted J Class but I'm not going to complain.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 11:39 pm

ericalm wrote:I took it on my scooter. The test is actually easier in some ways on a scoot with 10" wheels than a motorcycle with 16" wheels, especially the slow circles. (The MSF test is MUCH easier. Figure 8s? No prob!)

"Dragging" the rear brake is definitely the way to go to control that circle. The combination of throttle and brake helps maintain balance while making a low-speed turn. Takes some practice to find the right amount of each, though.

gr8dog · Post by **gr8dog** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 12:52 am

I took the MSF and passed their test on a motorcycle. Eric is dead on when he says use the rear brake. On a motorcycle you can ease into the throttle with the clutch (left hand). On a scooter you can ease into the throttle by releasing the rear brake (left hand). By ease into the throttle I mean keep the throttle twisted a little bit open, maybe enough to go 10 to 15 mph, while keeping the rear brake squeezed tight. Slowly release the brake while the throttle is twisted to get a controlled slow acceleration start. Keep the brake slightly engaged to maintain that slow speed to make the figure 8 turns. Keep completely off of the front brake when doing this. I have practiced it on both of my scooters and it works beautifully.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 1:06 am

driving?

no

scudder · Post by **scudder** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 2:04 am

I took mine on a scoot...it was easy. There were alot of guys on big harleys that could not pass because the course was so tight...I think they were good motorcyclist but their bikes were made for the highway, not a parking lot. One of the guys that failed right before me asked if he could use my scoot to take the test, I said sure! I met him in a parking lot a week later and let him ride the scoot around for an half hour or so. We met up at the testing facility the following week and he used the scoot to pass! He gave me a case of beer and rode his Super Deluxe Goldwing 3000 into the sunset...true story!

pumpedoncaffeine · Post by **pumpedoncaffeine** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 2:30 am

I took my test on a motorcycle. We had a scooter and two motorcycles at the time, but to get the motorcycle endorsement it had to be 400cc or greater so I took the test on my husband's bike. That was in Japan, I went through the motorcycle safety class first, it was for a Japanese license, it transferred to California when I returned stateside.

kitty · Post by **kitty** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 3:42 am

scudder wrote:I took mine on a scoot...it was easy. There were alot of guys on big harleys that could not pass because the course was so tight...I think they were good motorcyclist but their bikes were made for the highway, not a parking lot. One of the guys that failed right before me asked if he could use my scoot to take the test, I said sure! I met him in a parking lot a week later and let him ride the scoot around for an half hour or so. We met up at the testing facility the following week and he used the scoot to pass! He gave me a case of beer and rode his Super Deluxe Goldwing 3000 into the sunset...true story!

That's really funny!

I don't know if CT will let you test on a scooter. Doesn't really matter to me since mine's a shifty anyway it's no different than just doing it on a motorcycle. The motorcycle course is mandatory here for a license, but the bonus is that it counts as your road test. Pass motorcycle course, go to DMV for written test, that's it.

chub1965 · Post by **chub1965** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 3:50 am

i took my test on the blur.as scudder said above several people on bigger bikes failed .all seemed a little bent out shape that i could take the test on a scooter but i didnt tell them to buy the biggest manhood replacement money can buy.the test is super easy on a scooter.remember sometimes smaller is better.

chooch · Post by **chooch** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 4:57 am

Yes you can take the test here in California on a scooter. My brother actually used to rent out his when he worked at a motorcycle shop to people with bigger bikes. Another peice of advice is to drive to the DMV when they are closed and try the course yourself a few times untill you get it down. There are YouTube videos and other instructions on exactly how the test is structured so there should be no surprises. Good luck!

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 5:29 am

The CA DMV has actually fenced off a lot of parking lots so people can't practice. I've heard (but have not seen firsthand) that some have signs posted telling people not to practice!

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 5:35 am

BTW, if it helps you, on YouTube there are videos of every maneuver you are required to do for the CA DMV M1 riding test. Just go to YouTube and do a search for "California DMV Motorcycle Test". Sometimes seeing what you are in for can be very helpful.

And welcome to MB!

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 6:11 am

I rode for the longest time on a NY motorcycle license that when I got my Stella in Arizona, I actually had to re-test. It was a breeze since it was a manual scoot with 10-inch wheels. In Arizona, they don't let you practice on the track, but the dimensions of the testing area are available on the internet and you can set up your own course right to AZDMV specs.

Christophers · Post by **Christophers** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 7:31 am

ericalm wrote:The CA DMV has actually fenced off a lot of parking lots so people can't practice. I've heard (but have not seen firsthand) that some have signs posted telling people not to practice!

I took my license test on a Honda Metropolitan scooter that I have since sold. The branch office that I took the test at did have signage prohibiting use/entry into the test area. I practiced beforehand on the test course anyway, which was a good move. The course at this location is not laid out on a level surface and requires very active modulation of brake and throttle during the tight radius circles and through the slalom. I'm sure I would have gone outside of the lines, having not taken into account the effects of the slope, had I not done a dry run beforehand.

PeteH · Post by **PeteH** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 12:47 pm

I got my MC endorsement in MO back in ... 1977. Things were simple back then.

First came the point-out-the-feature-when-I-ask quiz. He says 'clutch', I say 'automatic' - I was on a Honda CT-90, all street-legal and everything. After a raised eyebrow and a look at the left handlebar which had no lever, on we went. The riding course was two rows of parallel cones in a straight line for a hundred feet or so. Ride to the end, turn around left, come back, and stop with your wheel on the line. Do it again turning right. Now for the grand finale - ride to the end, turn, and serpentine/slalom around the cones, and stop at the line. Ding-ding. You pass.

I even left the state some years later, getting licensed in Illinois. When I moved back and got licensed in Missouri again, lo and behold, my M endorsement was still in the computer.

They have a newer course laid out now at my local Highway Patrol office. I've seen a rider or two on it at one time or another over the years, but I've never taken a closer look.

iMoses · Post by **iMoses** » Thu Jul 12, 2012 2:47 pm

Here on the Kansas side there are always guys looking to rent or borrow scooters for use during the test. Their Harley's are way too big for the course. It's very slow, serpentine cone test (don't hit the cones), staying within a double line for 40 feet, getting to 15 mph and then stopping (your front tire has to stop inside a 1ft box). You can only make 1 mistake, 2 mistakes and you fail, putting your foot down on any part (other than the stop) and you fail.

Super easy on the Buddy. And my learners MC license was good for 1 yr. So I had a years worth of riding under my belt. So my confidence was up.