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FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
Begin2ride and Continue2ride Programs
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- I am new to riding, what do you recommend?
- Can you provide a helmet?
- How much does the Begin2ride Course cost?
- How much does the Continue2ride Course cost?
- What does NMCTI Motorcycle Operator Certification require?
- Do you give out the DL389 to waive the skills test?
- Do I need a driver's license to attend the Begin2ride program?
- Do I need a driver's license to attend the Continue2ride program?
- Are there any requirements to participate in the Begin2ride program?
- Does the training qualify for an insurance premium discount?
- How old must I be to participate in the Begin2ride program?
- How old must I be to participate in the Continue2ride program?
- Are there any requirements to participate in the practice session of Continue2ride?
- I haven't ridden in a long time, but am still licensed. Can Begin2ride give me a refresher?
- I ride dirt bikes all the time, but don't have a permit or license. Do I need Begin2ride?
- I haven't taken the Begin2ride course, but I've ridden before and want to take Continue2ride. Can I do that?
- Will you give me my license after completing the Begin2ride program?
- What are the requirements for obtaining a motorcycle license?
- I completed the MIC/MSF beginner licensing course recently and know I am at risk. How can I get some on-street riding experience at a lower risk?
- What makes National Motorcycle Training Institute's (NMCTI) Begin2ride, Continue2ride and test2ride programs different from the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) sponsored courses, such as the 15 hour licensing course and the MIC/MSF/CHP program?
I am new to riding, what do you recommend?
Complete the first 3-hour riding session of Begin2ride before making any decisions about your street riding. It is just $99 and you will get to ride the motorcycle,
and be able to ask questions of the instructor about how you should proceed. You will receive the DMV motorcycle booklet and
other important information that will help you prepare for your learners time and reduce your risk while you Begin2ride!
Our motto is, "Be informed before you decide to ride."
Look at some pictures here.
Yes. We provide the helmets and motorcycles. We use 125cc motorcycles in Begin2ride and 250cc motorcycles in Continue2ride.
Please see Directions Page for a list of what you need to bring.
How much does the Begin2ride course cost?
Please check REGISTER page for current price.
How much does the Continue2ride course cost?
Please check REGISTER page for current price.
What does NMCTI Motorcycle Operator Certification require?
San Diego Motorcycle Training can certify riders who meet the qualifications for NMCTI Certified Motorcycle Operators.
NMCTI Certification is a rigorous 5 step process that is intended to reduce Licensed Motorcycle Driver Fatality/Morbidity Susceptibility.
Please see Steps to NMCTI Certification.
Note that the simple CA DL389 Certification for beginners does not meet the rigorous NMCTI requirements.
Students who are under 21 may meet NMCTI requirements by special testing for requirement in step 5.
Do I need a driver's license to attend the Begin2ride program?
No. There is no license of any kind required to attend the Begin2ride program.
Do I need a driver's license to attend the Continue2ride program?
There is no license of any kind required to attend the practice session included in the Continue2ride program. A motorcycle learner's permit
is required for the self study practice on the street. Please complete the DMV motorcycle written test for your learner's permit.
See: Example motorcycle test #1
Example motorcycle test #2
Are there any requirements to participate in the Begin2ride program?
Yes, you must be able to balance and pedal a bicycle. If you have not bicycled recently, please practice with a bicycle before attending Begin2ride.
Does the training qualify for an insurance premium discount?
Yes.
How old must I be to participate in the Begin2ride program?
You must be at least 15 years old. If you are under 18, you must have a parent/guardian sign the waiver/liability release when you attend. No license of any kind is required for Begin2ride.
How old must I be to participate in the Continue2ride program?
You must be at least 15 years old to attend the practice session. You must be at least 21 years old to rent the motorcycle.
Are there any requirements to participate in the practice session of Continue2ride?
Yes, you must be able to control the speed and direction of a motorcycle.
I haven't ridden in a long time, but am still licensed. Can Begin2ride give me a refresher?
Yes! We ride in the very first 3-hour session! The instructor will evaluate your skills and can place you in a subsequent session that is on par with your abilities. Returning riders often find this to be an enjoyable experience. The instructor can place you in any session; 2, 3, or the Continue2ride session, as appropriate for you.
I ride dirt bikes all the time, but don't have a permit or license. Do I need Begin2ride?
The Begin2ride program is designed to give you the skills to eliminate unnecessary risk while riding a motorcycle on the street. Session 1, "Basic Motorcycling Skills" is a great place to start your street riding experience. Without traffic or other extraneous hazards, you can focus on developing good riding habits and risk-elimination skills. The instructor may place you in any subsequent session that is on par with your abilities, including the Continue2ride session.
You may attend the Continue2ride program directly. The requirement is to have the skill to control speed and direction of a motorcycle such as Begin2ride graduates have.
Will you give me my license after completing the Begin2ride Course?
The Begin2ride training is for brand new riders to learn Basic Motorcycle Operation. It is inappropriate to award licenses to beginners who have never ridden on the street. Doing so will increase Licensed Motorcycle Driver Fatality/Morbidity Susceptibility. Please see Steps to NMCTI Motorcycle Operator Certification for a method to follow that will lower Licensed Motorcycle Driver Fatality/Morbidity Susceptibility while you obtain your motorcycle license.
What are the requirements for obtaining a motorcycle license?
You must pass the written test at the DMV.
You must pass an on-bike test at the DMV (recommended) or waive the DMV skills (not recommended) in the MIC/MSF beginner licensing course.
Waiving the DMV skills has increased the Licensed Motorcycle Driver Fatality/Morbidity Susceptibilility.
We recommend NMCTI Motorcycle Operator Certification so you may lower Licensed Motorcycle Driver Fatality/Morbidity Susceptibilility.
Beginner riders who use the MIC/MSF beginner licensing course sponsored by the motorcycle industry to waive their DMV skills
are twice as likely to get hurt or killed on their motorcycle than riders who enjoy their beginner-time and learner-time and
develop their skills before obtaining their unrestricted license.
Please see DMV Prep Guide for data and guidance.
Warning to PARENTS: For children under 21, the motorcycle industry MIC/MSF lobbied to change the laws so children are not allowed to attempt the more difficult skills test at the DMV. Children are required to complete the easier MIC/MSF skills test only, and typically never have a learner's permit! Even if your child completes the easy MIC/MSF beginner licensing course and test, we encourage you to have your children continue to increase their motorcycle operation knowledge beyond this rudimentary level. Please call our office and discuss special testing and evaluation in this case. San Diego Motorcycle Training has special testing to qualify riders for the "Step 5" NMCTI requirement for certification.
You may attend the Continue2ride program directly. After you complete the practice session on the motorcycle, you may ride that motorcycle on the street.
The motorcycle industry's Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) lobbies State Assemblies to pass laws promoting motorcycling and reducing obstacles in obtaining motorcycle licenses to increase sales. National Motorcycle Training Institute (NMCTI) does not lobby State Assemblies. NMCTI takes the position that motorcycle safety education should be separate from license testing.
The MIC training mixes different size motorcycles and different student levels into one class, and suggests that 500cc motorcycles are beginner bikes. NMCTI's Begin2ride program is ridden exclusively on 125cc motorcycles. It is designed for beginners to gain immediate riding experience and knowledge that is important to new riders preparing these riders for their learners-time. Begin2ride program participants can make informed choices based on their practice of physical and mental motorcycling skills. At the end of the Begin2ride program you have the skill and knowledge to decide how to manage your learners-time. NMCTI students are encouraged to make the best decision for themselves, which may include deciding not to ride, and not to pursue street riding. The MIC sponsored program encourages all riders to pursue street riding and encourages the purchase of much gear and larger motorcycles through product placements throughout their class videos.
The Continue2ride program is ridden on 250cc motorcycles. It is designed to reduce the chance of mishap in the first 6 months of riding. (The first 6 months and 500 miles are the highest risk time for motorcyclists.) Continue2ride students know how to ride (control the speed and direction of a motorcycle) but want more practice to develop better street skills. Students are encouraged to rent the motorcycle they trained on for their first street rides. This program is designed to reduce the chance of mishap during your first on-street rides. Simply put, we know we can eliminate some risk. During your first street ride, you will be in an unfamiliar environment, however, by using the motorcycle you trained on for your first street rides, you have eliminated the risk of being on an unfamiliar motorcycle and in an unfamiliar environment!
The MIC classes promote the purchase of large motorcycles and expensive touring gear for first time riders. NMCTI promotes appropriate size motorcycles and appropriate gear for the particular level of riding.
Begin2ride prepares beginners to enter the learners-time (learners permit riding after completing written test). At the end of the Begin2ride program you will be able to control the speed and direction of a motorcycle, and have gained knowledge needed to make informed choices about your street riding.
Do you give out the DL389 to waive the skills test?
Thanks for asking us about a skills test waiver as a shortcut to obtaining a motorcycle license. We are aware of other schools that provide a waiver for the DMV skills test. Our school does not provide the DL389 waiver, for reasons we would like to explain.
The skills test waiver is available from other motorcycle schools in California, to assist new riders to become licensed as quickly as possible. However, use of the skills test waiver is resulting in a scary number of serious and often fatal motorcycle crashes. The purpose of a state DMV skills test is to ensure that newly licensed motorcycle drivers are able to confidently operate a motorcycle. You may see the state DMV skills test to be a roadblock to getting your license, but we believe a test administered by the state is essential to helping you determine whether or not you are ready to ride on public roads. If you are not confident you can pass the state test, we can help you learn the necessary operational skills and knowledge.
Be aware that most other schools typically do not tell you about the very high risks of motorcycling. The facts are that last year (2008 data) 11,540 riders were seriously injured in motorcycle crashes in California, with 563 fatalities. A majority of these crashes happened to riders who had obtained their motorcycle license with a skills test waiver. For that reason we prefer that you take the skills test from the CA Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
It’s important for you to be very confident of your riding skills before regularly heading out into traffic. One measure of that is being able to easily pass the DMV skills test. Beginners should find the DMV skills test difficult, where as “ready to be licensed” riders do not find it very difficult. For intermediate riders, there are additional tests and evaluations that can help you determine whether or not you’re ready for situations such as riding at night, riding on high speed highways, or carrying a passenger. However, the first measure of this should be confidently passing the DMV skills test.
Our prime concern is helping motorcyclists enjoy the ride without unnecessary risks. We seriously want to help you avoid being injured or killed in a motorcycle crash. We provide the information to help you make informed choices about motorcycling. We realize we can’t eliminate all the risks of motorcycling, but we can help you avoid unnecessary risks. There is additional information here:
Printable version of DMV Prep Guide with practice tests
If you have never ridden a motorcycle before, we suggest the Begin2ride Course, which includes a training bike to use for practice.
If you have already ridden a motorcycle, and are confident in basic motorcycle operation, we suggest the Continue2ride Course.
The Continue2ride Course will help you develop street riding knowledge and skills, and includes a larger training bike to use for practice.
We are sure that we can help you develop techniques to not only have fun while learning to ride and regularly riding motorcycles, but avoid injury as you continue your long term quest to become a highly skilled motorcyclist.
For more information about the reducing the risks of motorcycling, go to:
National Motorcycle Training Institute Risk Reduction Page
page edited 01.04.12
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