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Motorcycle Safety

Instructor speaking to a group of students

All Motorcycle Safety Courses are developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), taught by professional rider coaches, recognized and approved by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). All course hours are approximate.

Summer 2024 Motorcycle Registration is now open.

 Summer motorcycle classes are scheduled for May-August 2024. Fall motorcycle courses are scheduled for September-October 2024.

Summer Safety Classes At a Glance  Schedule.  (PDF, Get Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader - Link opens in new window)

All Motorcycle Licensing Courses Include:

Online eCourse – This course is approximately 5 hours, online interactive video learning, created by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Completion of this online course is mandatory and is a prerequisite for the rest of the course. Students will be provided information to complete the course 1-week prior to the classroom session.
Online Classroom –Each Course will have an online classroom portion two days prior to the Riding Sessions focusing on important course details students need to know before attending in-person. Completing the online classroom is a prerequisite for the riding section of the course. 

Riding Session(s) –Each Course will have dedicated riding hours on our range taught by MSF Rider Coaches. 

Throughout the course the Instructors/Rider Coaches evaluate and coach each rider's performance. Participants who do not achieve the minimum performance standards will not be allowed to continue in the course.

To complete the course, riders must pass a knowledge and skill test administered at the end of the course. Riders who complete and pass the course will receive a Maryland Motorcycle Safety Course Completion Card. Riders with a Maryland Driver’s License will also be eligible for the M-endorsement.

There is no guarantee that an individual enrolling in this course will pass or become eligible for a motorcycle license or endorsement.

When you take our Courses:

Each course is taught only in English – All class content including discussions, text reading, exercises and exams are conducted and administered in English and translators are not allowed. 

Arrive early to all class sessions –students are expected to be on time/early for their class.  Due to MVA and MSF guidelines, any students who arrive after the class has started will not be allowed to participate. Students will be provided full schedule information for the in-person sessions 1-week prior to the online classroom. Late students will not be eligible for a refund nor will they be rescheduled for a different course.

Students must provide their own riding gear - students are expected to arrive and ride motorcycles in proper and approved attire. The course Instructor shall be responsible for inspecting a student’s riding gear. If any item of the student’s gear does not meet the required standards the student will not be allowed to participate in the course. Montgomery College will not have gear available to borrow.

Approved attire is as follows: 
  • Jacket or sturdy long-sleeved shirt
  • Sturdy long pants (NO tears or holes)
  • Over-the-ankle NON-canvas footwear with a low heel
  • Full fingered gloves
  • DOT-compliant full-faced helmet (equipped with a face shield) or;
  • ¾ helmet (with eye protection such as eyeglasses, sunglasses, goggles)
Your helmet should meet the following standards:
  • ​A Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 compliant helmet:
  • Any style of compliant helmet may be worn, but the Program recommends the full-face, or modular, a.k.a. flip-up and open-face, a.k.a. ¾ style helmets because they provide the most protection for a novice rider. Any student with a helmet less than full-face with a face shield should also provide eye protection such as eyeglasses, sunglasses, goggles.
  • All labeling, exterior and interior, must be intact;
  • Be in good condition with no damage to the outer shell or have an excessively worn interior lining; and
    Must fit properly.
  • If the helmet appears old, the interior liner will be checked for the sticker indicating the month and year of manufacture. If it is more than 5-years old, the helmet should not be used.

Students without proper riding gear will not be allowed to participate in or finish the course and will not be eligible for a refund nor will they be rescheduled for a different course.

Motorcycle Licensing Courses

Licensing Course – This Maryland MVA-certified Motorcycle Basic Rider Course (BRC), is approximately 18-hours designed for those who have little or no riding experience, or who have not ridden in a long time. It includes distance learning (MSF 5-hour eCourse), online classroom (1 hour), and riding instruction (12 hours) on the basic riding skills and strategies necessary for an individual to begin and/or practice street riding.   

Motorcycles are provided. Students must provide and wear appropriate range gear/attire. Upon successful completion of the course requirements, including both a knowledge and riding skills test, students will be eligible for the M-endorsement and receive a course completion card recognized by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Completing the class does not make you a legal motorcycle rider. Students must add the endorsement at the MVA to become a legal rider. 

 There is no guarantee that an individual enrolling in a course will pass or become eligible for a motorcycle license or endorsement.

Notes: Students will not be admitted to class after the class start time; we encourage all students to arrive 20 minutes early.

Class materials, eCourse instructions and correspondence will be sent to your MyMC email account and any secondary email you have on your MyMC account. The online eCourse must be completed before the first class session. Proof of completion is verified prior the start of the first class session. Basic Rider Handbook is provided in class.

Licensing Course – This course is NOT for beginners! This Basic Rider Course 2 – License Waiver course (BRC2-LW) is approximately 11-hours designed for individuals that have current street riding experience and are seeking the M-endorsement. This course includes distance learning (MSF 4-hour eCourse), online classroom (1 hour), and riding instruction (7 hours).

Motorcycles are provided, but students may use their own motorcycle by transporting them legally to the range. Students must provide and wear appropriate range gear/attire. Upon successful completion of the course requirements, including both a knowledge and riding skills test, students will be eligible for the M-endorsement and receive a course completion card recognized by the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). Completing the class does not make you a legal motorcycle rider. Students must add the endorsement at the MVA to become a legal rider.

There is no guarantee that an individual enrolling in a course will pass or become eligible for a motorcycle license or endorsement.

Notes: Students will not be admitted to class after the class start time; we encourage all students to arrive 20 minutes early. 

Class materials, eCourse instructions and correspondence will be sent to your MyMC email account and any secondary email you have on your MyMC account. The online eCourse must be completed before the first class session. Proof of completion is verified prior the start of the first class session.

More questions? Review Motorcycle FAQs

Skills Enhancement Courses

Basic Skills Enhancement Course:  This os a five hour on-cycle program consists of select BRC riding exercises. It is for riders who have participated , passed, failed or have been counseled out of a BRC to practice the basic riding skills. There is no formal classroom instruction. Motorcycles and helmets are provided for your use. This course is not a licensing course and students will not receive a license waiver or completion card. 

Advanced Skill Course: This is a half-day on_cycle program consisting of riding exercises only and there is no testing. This course is for riders who currently possess a motorcycle  license and own an insured vehicle. There is no formal classroom instruction. Riders use their personal motorcycle in this class. It is a perfect way for you to practice and refresh your riding skills. 

Required: After registering, students will be required to present a valid motorcycle license and proof of insurance to a member of the program before being eligible for the course. 

Motorcycle Maintenance

This basic course will enable the student to learn basics of maintaining a motorcycle. Various hands-on topics such as oil changes, tires, fluids, and much more will be discussed in depth thus reducing the fear of working on your own bike. You will learn how to setup your own motorcycle garage with the right tools to perform basic inspections, troubleshooting, and maintenance. 

This course is designed for someone who needs training on how to maintain and repair their own personal  motorcycle. Focus will be on the fundamentals of performing basic motorcycle maintenance and inspections. The better you know your bikes and the mechanics that make it function, the more confident you will be as a motorcycle rider. Classes are taught by highly qualified instructors with many years of motorcycle maintenance and repair experience. 

Motorcycle Safety Resources

Need help registering online? Go to our WDCE Web Registration page, review the information and find step by step guides.