Why should I take one our courses?
Participating in an fun, safe and low stress environment will enable you to learn and develop the physical and mental skills needed to safely ride a motorcycle.
Do I need to bring a motorcycle to the course?
No. Motorcycles will be provided for you at your designated training site for the Basic Rider Course.
Do I have to take a test at DMV?
Graduates of the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) are waived from further testing by the DMV.
What is South Carolina’s helmet law?
Current law requires any rider under 21 to wear a helmet on the street, but we do require a helmet and full gear on our range. (ATGATT)
What type of eye protection do I need?
Examples of eye wear are sunglasses, prescription glasses, goggles and shields. If you choose to use a shield as eye wear then the shield must be covering the eyes when you are on the motorcycle.
What type of footwear do I need?
Sturdy boots that fit over the ankle are required. It is recommended that the boot soles be made of a non slip rubber or neoprene and the footwear should not have high heels, dangling laces or strings.
Can I bring my own bike for the basic course?
You can NOT use your own MOTORCYCLE however under certain circumstances for the BRC, there are other intermediate and advanced course options for more experienced riders.
Do I need a permit to take the class?
You must have a valid SC motorcycle permit to test for a license waiver. If you do not come to class with a permit, you can attend and learn, but you will need to go to the DMV to test.
Can I get a motorcycle only license?
It is possible to only have a motorcycle license in SC. Your license will be restricted to operating “Motorcycles Only.”
What happens when it rains?
Typically, we ride. It is recommended that you bring rain gear if the forecast calls for rain.
What time does the class finish?
End times change depending on class start times and of course weather conditions. The course is approximately 18 hours long including breaks and lunch. Plan on about 10 hours for range and 6 hours for classroom, both divided into two sessions each.
When can I take other advanced RiderCourse offerings if I am a new rider?
You will need to have the motorcycle endorsement to take any of the offered advanced RiderCourses. These courses are designed for riders who possess, at a minimum, the basic operational skills to maneuver a motorcycle. You should have successfully completed a Basic RiderCourse or have sufficient on or off-road experience and skill to be able to perform basic maneuvering and handling skills. As a rule of thumb, 6 months and 3000 miles of riding. These courses offer great opportunities for you to improve your riding skills:
Basic RiderCourse 2 Advanced RiderCourse Private Lessons
What kind of motorcycles are used for the class?
Currently we offer the Suzuki TU250x, Benelli TNT135, Honda Rebel 300, Honda Nighthawk 250cc & Honda Rebel 250cc
What happens if I don’t pass a test?
Sometimes it takes more than once to get all the skills needed to safely ride a motorcycle. Therefore, we have a couple of retake options for students. Based on the recommendation of your Ridercoach you may complete the skill evaluation only, retake all of range exercises or a portion of the range exercises on a future date, discount will apply. Retesting is not permitted on the same day of the original test
Who administers the courses?
South Carolina Rider Training, a private company in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Safety, administers these courses. All course curriculum adheres to strict standards of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), and is closely monitored by the Motorcycle Rider Education Program (MREP) All Rider Coaches are certified by the MSF. These dedicated men and women are regularly observed by State and MSF inspectors to ensure they continue to perform at the high standards set by the MSF.
What is provided in the courses?
For the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) , we provide the motorcycles, classroom materials. We cannot provide helmets at this time. Basic RiderCourse curriculum includes material to introduce the student to motorcycle types, risk awareness and risk acceptance, preparing to ride with proper personal protective gear and a pre-ride inspection, the various controls on motorcycles, engine starting and stopping procedures, strategies for managing risk on the street, common situations, maximum braking and swerving, special riding situations; and the need to ride unimpaired by drugs, alcohol, or other things that can reduce your ability to safely operate a motorcycle.
What do I need to bring with me to class?
You must bring a long sleeve shirt or jacket, long sturdy pants, over-the-ankle footwear (boots) with low heels, full fingered gloves, a DOT approved helmet with eye protection. You must come to class with these items in order to participate. We also recommend that if the weather forecast is predicting more than a 20% chance of rain that you bring rain gear. (We do not cancel class because of rain.) You should also bring water and snacks, and chair to sit on during breaks.
Do I need any prior motorcycle experience before coming to class?
It is not essential to have any riding experience. However, you need to have the ability to balance and stabilize a two-wheeled vehicle. If you have not ridden a bicycle in a long time, it would be a good idea to get some practice before attempting to ride a motorcycle.
If I’m under the age of 18, can I take the course?
If you are between 15 and 18 years old you will need the signature of a parent or legal guardian in order to take the course. Your parent or guardian Must be with you before class starts on Saturday morning in order to sign the course waiver form. If you show up for class on Saturday without your parent or legal guardian you will be sent home. Anyone under the age of 16 that desires their motorcycle license will be required to take the written rules of the road test at the DMV and hold that permit for a minimum of 180 days before a license is issued. And, riders under 16, must bring the certification of School Attendance, Driver’s Education and a completed Driving practice (SCDMV form PDLA) from a car driver training school.
What tests are required?
Students take a written test in class and a skills evaluation on the range. All the material is covered for the written test is covered in the classroom portion reviewed before the test the given. The skills for the riding tests are practiced during the two days of range practice. Verbal tests are available for those with reading or language issues covering the (BRC) The Basic Rider Course Handbook. Digital version can be downloaded and reviewed here: https://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/BRCHandbook.pdf You should be prepared to answer the 175 study questions located in the back of this handbook starting on page 53.
Will I get my license after the class?
Riders that successfully complete the BRC class written and skill evaluation will leave class with a sealed envelope containing all of the necessary paperwork for the DMV to complete the SC motorcycle drivers license. Riders MUST come to class with a valid Motorcycle permit (or have exceeded the renewal requirement). The Paperwork provided is only valid for 30 days, and can not be reissued without attending the class again.
What is different when taking a “Private Class”?
This is a small class , catering to those who haven’t had much–if any–experience on motorcycles or bicycles. It is a class where you can learn in a less intimidating environment and receive extra teaching time.
How long does the course take?
These hours are TENTATIVE and may vary, due to class size, rate of student progression, and weather. The Basic Ridercourse (BRC) and the 3 Wheel Basic Rider course is a 2 day course that runs 8 AM to 5 PM on both days. It consists of approximately 5 hours of classroom and 10 hours of riding range exercises. . The Experienced Rider Course(BRC 2) is a 1 day course that typically runs from 8 AM to 2 PM. Start times vary during the Fall and Winter months.
