How To Obtain a Motorcycle License in Holland

[Mad_Marv]

Hi there!

I'm busy getting my driving license here in the Netherlands.
And that got me wondering: What do you have to do to get your license in the USA?

For instance:
In the Netherlands there is a Theoretical exam.
And there are two Practical exams:
-Vehicle controle
-Traffic participation

Theoretical exam:








Vehicle controle:
Cluster 1:
Walking and parking the motorcycle:
 

Cluster 2
Slow speed:

Slow slalom:


Leaving parkingspot:


Imaginary figure of 8:


U-turn:


Cluster 3
High speed:
50km'h / 31mph

Give way (evade) at 50km'h / 31mph:


Fast Slalom at 30km'h / 18,6mph:


Slowing down start with 50km'h / 31mph and slow down to 30km'h / 18,6mph:


Cluster 4
Breaking from 50km'h / 31mph:

Emergency stop

Precision stop:
Shift down to first gear


Technically correct stop:
Same as emergency stop, but no ABS allowed and shift to 1st gear.  


Thats about it with the vehicle controle.

Traffic participation:
This covers a few things. They check if you participate with traffic, the way you should, just like with a car.
But they also check if you know you place on the road. How to avoid the white lines and arrows. Take turns in a specific way... etcetera, etcetera, etcetera...

[gammer]

In Ontario we have graduated licensing. Here's a copy from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website (I've bolded some key points)

Graduated Licensing for Motorcycle Riders

If you're a new driver applying for your first licence to ride a motorcycle, you'll need to enter Ontario's graduated licensing system. That means you'll earn full driving privileges in two stages.

Class M1

After you pass a motorcycle knowledge test, you will get a Class M1 licence and an information package for new riders.

New motorcycle riders with an M1 licence learn to ride under these four conditions:

    your blood alcohol level must be zero;
    you must ride only during daylight hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset);
    you must not ride on highways with speed limits of more than 80 km/h except highways 11, 17, 61, 69, 71, 101, 102, 144, 655;
    you cannot carry passengers.

Motorcycle riders with an M1 licence who successfully complete an approved motorcycle safety course that includes a road test with an M1 licence are exempt from taking the ministry's M1 road test and can move to an M2 licence after 60 days. If you complete an approved safety course in either level, you can reduce the time that you must hold an M2 licence from 22 to 18 months. While the motorcycle safety course certificate is valid for two years from its issue date, it may only be used for the M1 road test exemption within six months of its issue date.


With a Class M1 licence, an operator can drive a moped, limited-speed motorcycle and a motorcycle.


Class M2

You must pass an M1 road test or complete an approved motorcycle safety course before receiving a Class M2 licence. You must have a Class M2 licence for a minimum of 22 months. If you complete an approved motorcycle safety course, you may reduce this time requirement by four months. With an M2 licence, you gain more privileges - you may ride at night and on any road. However, at this level:

    your blood alcohol level must be zero;
    you will be eligible to take a Class M road test after you have completed the time required with an M2 licence;
    you must pass this test to get a Class M licence.

Note: Class M2 and Class M licence holders may also drive Class G vehicles under the conditions that apply to a Class G1 licence holder.

With a Class M2 licence, the operator can drive a moped, limited-speed motorcycle and a motorcycle.

As you can see, you are strongly encouraged and rewarded if you take an approved motorcycle safety course.

A full motorcycle license is a class M license. The only restrictions is the amount of alcohol you can have in your blood (don't shoot the messenger, I didn't make the rules!)

[TDodge7]

In Virginia I had to take a 25 question test to get a motorcycle learners permit , and then come back with my bike in a month and do the run around on their little cone course , that was it .

[ariwhiteboy]

I couldn't pass that test....I have no idea what a toegestane is! 


 

Much like VA all we have is a 25 question test (of which only about 10 questions are MC specific) that gets you a restricted learner's permit (no passengers, no freeway, daytime only) and then a little parking lot course for your full license. The kicker here though is that the "learner's permit" is infinitely renewable...so all the dumdums just go retake the written test every 6 months and keep riding. 

[Mad_Marv]

So there are no driving schools ?
I can only ride on the public road if I have passed the "vehicle control" exam.
And only with an instructor from the driving school behind me.

[WingNut]

There's a couple private organizations like the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) that puts on basic rider courses, but its only a requirement to attend something like that in a few states... It really does depend from state to state...

[LOKi]

In Louisiana you have to take a written test ~20 questions. And they watch you ride to a set point and come back. That's it.

The kicker though is you need to have the bike inspected but they will not inspect a bike unless you have a license.  How do you get the bike to the DMV for the test? Ride it illegally of course. 

[bajakirch]

The thing you should understand about motor vehicle driver licensing in the US is that each state makes its own rules. That's why you're getting different answers for the question.

For your Chicago trip, you'd have to look up the requirements for the State of Illinois.

Of course, if the rules in Illinois don't make it feasible for you, you could try to find a state whose rules do. All 50 states recognize the licenses of the other states in the country. So even if you get your license in Alaska, you can legally ride in Illinois.

[talespin]

I think that in general, Europe takes driver qualification much more seriously than here in the US. My impression while I was in Germany was that Germans viewed driving cars or motorcycles to be a privilege, while here in the US we look on it as a right. We have it pretty easy over here.

Each US state has its own requirements for obtaining a motorcycle license. I received mine in Oregon, where successfully passing a state-approved motorcycle course was sufficient to obtain the license. If a person did not take and pass a course, the state would administer a written and practical test. I had taken and passed the course, so I don't know what the state tests were like. The tests in the course were fairly easy, and never took us out on a public road.

[Mad_Marv]

I also think that driving a car or motorcycle is a privilege.
Some people are just to incompetent to drive cars, so thankfully we have these tough exams to keep them of the road!
When I was in Ontario, Canada, I saw lots of people driving like sh*t. That wouldn't have happened if they where taught to drive properly

[talespin]

I also think that driving a car or motorcycle is a privilege.
Some people are just to incompetent to drive cars, so thankfully we have these tough exams to keep them of the road!
When I was in Ontario, Canada, I saw lots of people driving like sh*t. That wouldn't have happened if they where taught to drive properly

I think things are pretty much the same here.

Imagine if Canada and the US had the autobahn.

[Burgi]

Marv do you have a license to drive a car already?
In California if you are over the age 21 you can take a written test to obtain a permit and ride with that with only a few restrictions (no night riding, no freeways, no passenger). To ride on a permit you don't need to demonstrate that you have any knowledge of how to actually operate a motorcycle (or scooter, the license is the same).
To get a full license you need to take a skills test in the licensing office parking lot. It consists of riding in circles, weaving and riding in a straight line. There is no testing on the street for motorcycles.
We had a exchange student from Germany years ago. He got his drivers license (car) while living with us since the requirements were so much less, it cost far less and he could get it at a younger age than in Germany. We never let him use our car. Teenage drivers being teenage drivers, he went home and got in his first accident with his dad's Mercedes. 
He is coming for a visit this fall and we are giving him my husband's car to use to two months. He is also free to ride our bikes if he wants. I trust his skills this time. 

[Laminar]

The kicker though is you need to have the bike inspected but they will not inspect a bike unless you have a license.  How do you get the bike to the DMV for the test? Ride it illegally of course. 

In Iowa, they'll look the other way when people ride their bikes to the DMV to take the riding test, though some people did truck their bikes in.

[LOKi]

[Mad_Marv]

@Burgi:
Yes, I got my driving license 7,5 years ago, when I was 18

[talespin]

The kicker though is you need to have the bike inspected but they will not inspect a bike unless you have a license.  How do you get the bike to the DMV for the test? Ride it illegally of course. 

In Iowa, they'll look the other way when people ride their bikes to the DMV to take the riding test, though some people did truck their bikes in.

And then, if you fail the test, they watch you walk out to your bike and ride off down the street? Brother, would that make me nervous.

[Laminar]

And then, if you fail the test, they watch you walk out to your bike and ride off down the street? Brother, would that make me nervous.

In Iowa, you take a written test to get your permit (can ride within view of a licensed rider), and then you take the driving test to get your license. The first time I tried to take the driving test, there was ice on the course so they called it off and watched several of us hop on our bikes and ride home.

[bajakirch]

I don't know if this helps, but my state (WI) subscribes to the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (1949). It states:

Foreign motorists from any of the countries who are party to the United Nations Convention on Road Traffic (Geneva, 1949) or the Convention on the Regulation of Inter-American Motor Vehicle Traffic (Washington, D.C., 1943) who visit the United States as tourists can drive legally using their valid domestic driver's license for a period not to exceed one year from the date of arrival. They may drive either a personal or rental car.

Tourists from countries who are party to the Geneva Convention and the Regulation of Inter-American Motor Vehicle Traffic can also legally drive their own private cars bearing valid license plates/registration tags issued in their native country for a period not to exceed one year from their date of arrival.

Foreign tourists whose country is not among those that are party to the terms of either convention may be required to obtain a driver's license and secure license plates/registration tags upon arrival in the United States (U.S.).

Foreign students attending school in the U.S. who are at least 16 years old and their privilege to operate a motor vehicle in Wisconsin is not suspended, revoked, cancelled or disqualified, can drive with their home country's valid license for up to one year. After one year, they must meet the same licensing requirements as a Wisconsin resident.

In addition to having a valid foreign driver's license, visitors are advised to carry an International Driving Permit obtained in their home country, as authorized by the 1943/1949 or 1968 conventions, or attach an English translation to their national driving license. The International Driving Permit is translated into the nine official languages of the United Nations, including English, and serves as a translation to be used in conjunction with the visitor's valid driver's license. It can be useful in emergencies, such as traffic violations or auto accidents, particularly when a foreign language is involved.

Visitors from foreign countries must obtain their International Driving Permit in their native country prior to arrival in the U.S.

I can't say for certain (a quick web search didn't turn up anything useful), but I believe most, if not all, US states follow this same guideline.

No Holland on the list, but Netherlands is. Apologies for my weak European geography -- they're the same country, right?

[Mad_Marv]

Yup
The Netherlands is the official name. But the world occasionally started calling us Holland. Try wikipedia on this one for the full explanation.
Officially 'Holland' refers to only these 2 provinces: "North Holland" and "South Holland"
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Holland_position.svg/200px-Holland_position.svg.png

Btw. The minimal legal age to start taking driving lessons is 18.
If you're 16 years old. You can obtain a driving license for a moped.
This license was introduced only a short time ago.

[jerjohn]

Im not sure what the state requirements are in Texas. I do know that if one passes the MSF course, the riding test at the Department of Motorvehicles is waived. My MSF course had the same requirements as Mad Marv. After passing the course I was required to pass a written test at the DMV. Texas is a helmet required state. A person may ride without a helmet if he/she pass the MSF course.

[LOKi]

Btw. The minimal legal age to start taking driving lessons is 18.
If you're 16 years old. You can obtain a driving license for a moped.

Not sure what they are going to do about the small displacement scooters/moped rule but I believe they are raising the legal driving age in Louisiana to 18. Not right away but I know my nephew (he's 11) is not grandfathered in. He will have to wait until he is 18.

I'm going to have to look into the </=50cc rule though.

[Mad_Marv]

A person may ride without a helmet if he/she pass the MSF course.

To me, that sounds ridiculous!
Driving without a helmet becouse you passed a test?

I even thought you had to wear a helmet on a bicycle in the USA?

And what about all the other vehicles on the road?
I believe that they're all potential killers. Your license isn't gonna stop that...

In the Netherlands, you have to wear a helmet on a <45 kph moped.

Some friends of mine used to ride mopeds ( <45 kph ) without a helmet, because they thought that was "cool".
So I asked them to run as fast as they could and run head first straight into a wall....     That idea made them realize that wearing a helmet really is a lot safer!

[talespin]

A person may ride without a helmet if he/she pass the MSF course.

To me, that sounds ridiculous!
Driving without a helmet becouse you passed a test?

Oh lord, don't get us started on helmet laws.

One of the rights inherent in being an American is the right to badly injure yourself.

[DWR577]

Imagine if Canada and the US had the autobahn.

The autobahn is a four lane highway.  If you've driven on any us interstate highway you've drove on a road exactly like the autobahn.  The only difference, there is a recommended maximum speed limit of 130 kph on the autobahn.  You can legally drive faster but it is "at your own risk".  If you have an accident and you're driving faster than 130 kph your insurance isn't responsible to pay and you could be held responsible for any costs even it you weren't at fault.  Also if you're driving over 130 kph and you have an accident the Polizei can give you a ticket for "driving faster than conditions allow".

130 kph is 80/81ish miles an hour.

Having said all that, it was fun to wind a Porsche 911 up to 280 kph and go from Spangdahlem to Heidelberg in less than two and a half hours.

[talespin]

Imagine if Canada and the US had the autobahn.

The autobahn is a four lane highway.  If you've driven on any us interstate highway you've drove on a road exactly like the autobahn.  The only difference, there is a recommended maximum speed limit of 130 kph on the autobahn.  You can legally drive faster but it is "at your own risk".

In my mind, it's the "You can legally drive faster" part that makes the autobahn the autobahn, not the fact that it's four lanes. Well, that, and the fact that German drivers actually live by the "slower traffic keep right" rule.