Motorcycle Operator Manual

EARNINGYOUR LICENSE

Safe riding requires knowledge and skill. Licensing tests are the best meas-

urement of the skills necessary to operate safely in traffic. Assessing your own

skills is not enough. People often overestimate their own abilities. It’s even

harder for friends and relatives to be totally honest about your skills. Licensing

exams are designed to be scored more objectively.

In Missouri, you must have a Class M motorcycle license or permit, or a

driver license with the M endorsement if you operate a motorcycle or

motortricycle on public roadways.

You may apply for a temporary motorcycle instruction permit at 15 1/2

years of age (15 years and 182 days). This permit will only be issued if you

have successfully completed an approved motorcycle rider training course

(MRTC). You must also pass the Class F and Class M written, vision and road

sign tests and have the written consent of your parent or legal guardian. The

cost of the permit is $6.25 ($2.75 of this fee applies to the MRTC).

NOTE:

The following restrictions apply to all Missouri motorcycle instruction

permit holders that are under age 16:

• Engine with a displacement of not greater than 250 cc

• No passengers

• 50 mile limit from the operator’s home address

• Daylight driving only

If you are 16 years of age, you may apply for a temporary motorcycle

instruction permit. You must pass the Class M written test, but you do not have

to take the MRTC. The cost of the permit is $3.50. If you do not have a driver

license, you can take the Class F and Class M written tests to receive a

motorcycle permit (Class F with an M endorsement).

Applicant’s who are 15 1/2 to 18 years of age must also comply with

Graduated Driver License eligibility requirements and restrictions. Refer to the

Department of Revenue web site at www.dor.mo.gov/mvdl/drivers/

for details.

When you are ready, you may take the motorcycle skills test (MSHP or

MRTC) to be motorcycle qualified. The cost of a Class M motorcycle license is

$10.00 for a 3-year license and $20.00 for a 6-year license.

To earn your license, you must pass a knowledge test and an on-motorcycle

skill test. Knowledge test questions are based on information, practices and

ideas from this manual. They require that you know and understand road rules

and safe riding practices. An on-motorcycle skill test will either be conducted in

an actual traffic environment or in a controlled, off-street area.

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EARNING YOUR LICENSE

Answers to Test Yourself (previous pages)

1. C 2. D 3. D 4. A 5. B

6. C 7. D 8. D 9. C 10. C

11. D 12. A 13. A 14. C

KNOWLEDGE TEST

(Sample Questions.)

1. It is MOST important to flash

your brake light when:

A. Someone is following too closely.

B. You will be slowing suddenly.

C. There is a stop sign ahead.

D. Your signals are not working.

2. The FRONT brake supplies how

much of the potential stopping

power?

A. About one-quarter

B. About one-half

C. About three-quarters

D. All of the stopping power

3. To swerve correctly:

A. Shift your weight quickly.

B. Turn the handlebars quickly.

C. Press the handgrip in the direction

of the turn.

D. Press the handgrip in the opposite

direction of the turn.

4. If a tire goes flat while riding and

you must stop, it is usually best to:

A. Relax on the handlegrips.

B. Shift your weight toward the good

tire.

C. Brake on the good tire and steer to

the side of the road.

D. Use both brakes and stop quickly.

5. The car below is waiting to enter

the intersection. It is best to:

A. Make eye contact with the driver.

B. Reduce speed and be ready to react.

C. Maintain speed and position.

D. Maintain speed and move right.

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Answers to above Knowledge Test: 1. B 2. C 3. C 4. C 5. B

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ON-MOTORCYCLE SKILL TEST

Basic vehicle control and crash-avoidance skills are included in on-

motorcycle tests to determine your ability to handle normal and hazardous

traffic situations.

You may be tested for your ability

to:

• Know your motorcycle and your

riding limits.

• Accelerate, brake, and turn

safely.

• See, be seen and communicate with

others.

• Adjust speed and position to the

traffic situation.

• Stop, turn and swerve quickly.

• Make critical decisions and carry

them out.

Examiners may score on factors

related to safety such as:

• Selecting safe speeds to perform

maneuvers.

• Choosing the correct path and

staying within boundaries.

• Completing normal and quick

stops.

• Completing normal and quick

turns, or swerves.

ON-MOTORCYCLE SKILL TEST

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan to take the MRTC (in addition to, or in lieu

of testing by the Missouri State Highway Patrol), please note that only Missouri

Motorcycle Safety Program courses are acceptable for the purpose of obtaining

a Missouri motorcycle license/permit. To locate an approved course near you,

please contact the Missouri Motorcycle Safety Program at (800) 801-3588, or

visit their web site at www.mmsp.org

To receive a motorcycle license with full privileges, most

states require that maneuvers be performed as designed.

On-motorcycle skill tests are not designed for sidecars or three-wheel

vehicles. Those vehicles maneuver differently than a two-wheeled

motorcycle. Depending on the state, a driver examiner may follow you on a

car test-route. Restrictions (sidecar, three-wheeled vehicle) may be added

until completion of a two-wheel motorcycle test.

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Diagrams and drawings used in this manual are for reference only and are

not to correct scale for size of vehicles and distances.

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IS LICENSING REQUIRED FOR ASCOOTER/MOPED?

Licensing depends partly on the ‘cc’ displacement of the engine in the scooter/

moped (motorized bicycle). The definition of a motorized bicycle (as opposed

to a motorcycle) is as follows:

“Any two-wheeler or three-wheeled device having an automatic

transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity of not more than fifty (50)

cubic centimeters, which produces less than three (3) gross brake horsepower,

and is capable of propelling the device at a maximum speed of not more than

thirty (30) miles per hour on level ground.”

If the scooter/moped qualifies as a motorized bicycle, you must have a valid

driver license, though no motorcycle endorsement is required. A motorized

bicycle does not have to be registered with the Missouri Department of

Revenue.

Keep in mind that “no motorized bicycle may be operated on any public

thoroughfare located within this state which has been designated as part of the

federal interstate highway system.”

Printing and distribution courtesy of

Motorcycle Safety Foundation

2 Jenner Street, Suite 150, Irvine CA 92618-3806

http://www.msf-usa.org

Second Revision . . . . . . .December 1978

Third Revision . . . . . . . . . .February 1981

Fourth Revision . . . . . . . . . .January 1983

Fifth Revision . . . . . . . . . . .October 1987

Sixth Revision . . . . . . . . . . . . .April 1991

Seventh Revision . . . . . .September 1992

Eight Revision . . . . . . . . . . .January 1999

Ninth Revision . . . . . . . . . . .March 2000

Tenth Revision . . . . . . . . . .January 2002

Eleventh Revision . . . . . . . . . . .July 2002

Twelfth Revision . . . . . . . . . . .May 2004

Thirteenth Revision . . . . . . . . . .July 2006

MOTORCYCLES MAKE SENSE. . .

SO DOES PROFESSIONALTRAINING

Motorcycles are inexpensive to operate, fun to ride and easy to park.

Unfortunately, many riders never learn critical skills needed to ride safely.

Professional training for beginning and experienced riders prepares them for

real world traffic situations. Motorcycle RiderCourses® teach and improve such

skills as:

• Effective turning • Braking maneuvers • Protective apparel selection

• Obstacle avoidance • Traffic strategies • Maintenance

For the basic or experienced

RiderCourse nearest you,

call toll-free: (800) 446-9227

The Motorcycle Safety

Foundation's (MSF) purpose is

to improve the safety of

motorcyclists on the nation's

streets and highways. In an

attempt to reduce motorcycle crashes

and injuries, the Foundation has

programs in rider education, licensing

improvement, public information and

statistics. These programs are

designed for both motorcyclists and

motorists. A national not-for-profit

organization, MSF is sponsored by

BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson,

Honda, Kawasaki, KTM,

Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Victory and

Yahama.

The information contained in this

publication is offered for the benefit

of those who have an interest in

riding motorcycles. The information

has been compiled from publications,

interviews and

observations of

individuals and

organizations familiar

with the use of

motorcycles, accessories,

and training. Because there

are many differences in

product design, riding styles, Federal,

State and local laws, there may be

organizations and individuals who

hold differing opinions. Consult your

local regulatory agencies for

information concerning the operation

of motorcycles in your area. Although

the MSF will continue to research,

field test and publish responsible

viewpoints on the subject, it

disclaims any liability for the views

expressed herein.

Printed in USA 000254

Safety is on Your Shoulders

Since 1931, 27 Missouri State Highway Patrol Troopers have

been killed in the line of duty. Eight of those officers were

killed after being struck by a vehicle, whose driver was either

impaired or not paying attention. The number one

contributing circumstance to traffic crashes in Missouri is

driver inattention. Please slow down and move over away

from stationary emergency vehicles along the side of the

road with their emergency equipment activated. IT’S THE

LAW.

The law (Section 304.022, RSMo.)

requires motorists to yield the right-of-

way and immediately drive to a

position parallel to, and as far as

possible to the right of, the traveled

portion of the highway and thereupon

stop and remain in such position until

such emergency vehicle has passed,

except when otherwise directed by a police or traffic officer.

A revision to the law, which became effective August 28,

2002, requires motorists upon approaching a stationary

emergency vehicle displaying lighted red or red and blue

lights to:

(1) Proceed with caution and yield the right-of-way, if

possible, with due regard to safety and traffic conditions,

by making a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that

of the stationary vehicle, if on a roadway having at least

four lanes with not less than two lanes proceeding in the

same direction as the approaching vehicle; or

(2) Proceed with due caution and reduce the speed of the

vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions, if

changing lanes would be unsafe or impossible.

Violation of this section is a class A misdemeanor.