MSF Basic RiderCourse: What to Expect, Cost and the License Waiver

Plenty of people sign up for the MSF basic rider course having never touched a clutch lever. That's exactly who it's built for. In one long weekend, give or take, you go from learning where the controls are to swerving around obstacles and stopping hard from speed, on a motorcycle the school usually provides. Finish it and, in many states, you can skip the riding test at the DMV. Here's what actually happens, step by step, so nothing on the range surprises you.

What the MSF basic rider course is

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a nonprofit that writes rider-training curricula used across the US. Its entry-level class is the Basic RiderCourse, usually shortened to BRC. You don't take it from the MSF directly: community colleges, dealerships, state programs and private schools run it with certified RiderCoaches. Find a location through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or your state's rider-education program.

The course has three parts:

1. An online eCourse you complete at home
2. Hands-on range sessions in a closed parking lot
3. A knowledge test and a riding skills evaluation

Exact hours and scheduling vary by provider. Many run the range portion over a Saturday and Sunday; others split it across weekday evenings. A few states use their own curriculum instead of the MSF's. California, for example, runs its own California Motorcyclist Safety Program course, so check what your state actually offers.

The online eCourse

Before you ever sit on a bike, you work through the eCourse online. Expect a few hours of interactive lessons on:

• Motorcycle controls and how they differ from a car
• Gear and why it matters
• Risk awareness and the mental side of riding
• Lane position, visibility and crash avoidance strategies

You can usually break it up over several sittings. Schools set a deadline, often requiring completion within a set window before your range date, and you'll typically need to show proof that you finished. Don't rush it the night before. The knowledge test at the end of the course draws on this material.

Range day 1 and day 2

This is the part everyone worries about, and it's usually the part people love most.

Day 1 starts with nothing more than pushing the bike around, finding the friction zone of the clutch, and walking it forward with the engine running. You'll move on to:

• Starting and stopping in a straight line
• Shifting into second and back
• Gradual turns and stopping at a set point
• Looking through turns rather than at the ground

The range is small and speeds are low. RiderCoaches give one instruction at a time, watch each rider, and correct things quietly. If you've ridden a bicycle, the balance part tends to click quickly; the clutch is what takes practice.

Day 2 builds on that with harder skills:

• Tighter turns and a figure-eight inside a box
• Cornering at a slightly higher speed
• Quick stops using both brakes
• Swerving around an obstacle
• Riding over a simulated obstacle like a board

Long days in the sun or rain are normal. Bring water and expect to be tired. People who drop out usually do so because of fatigue or nerves, not because they lacked talent.

The skills evaluation

At the end of the range work, a RiderCoach scores you on a short set of exercises, typically drawn from the skills you practiced: low-speed turns, a cornering exercise, a quick stop and a swerve. Points come off for things like putting a foot down, going outside the boundary lines, stopping too long or stalling.

You'll also take a written knowledge test based on the eCourse and range lessons. The exact number of questions and passing score depend on the curriculum and state, so ask your provider. If the rest of your motorcycle theory is rusty, the free practice tests on DMV Permit Prep include a motorcycle track you can drill before class.

Can you fail?

Yes. Some riders don't pass the evaluation, and coaches can also ask a rider to stop if they become unsafe to themselves or others. That isn't the end of the road. Many providers let you retake the evaluation or rejoin a later class, sometimes for a fee. Ask about the retake policy when you book.

Does it waive your DMV tests?

This is the big reason many riders take the course. In a lot of states, a passing completion card lets you skip the DMV riding test, and some states waive the written test as well. Others make the course mandatory, especially for younger riders. Rules change, so treat these examples as a starting point:

Check the details on the New Jersey MVC motorcycle safety page, PennDOT's motorcycle safety program or your own state's DMV before you book. Completion cards also have a shelf life in some states, so don't sit on yours for a year. For the full licensing path, see our guide on how to get a motorcycle license.

What to bring and wear

Providers usually supply the training motorcycle and often a helmet, but almost all require you to bring your own riding clothes. The standard list:

• Helmet: DOT-compliant, if you have one or prefer your own
• Eye protection: a face shield, goggles or shatter-resistant glasses
• Gloves: full-fingered, preferably leather or riding gloves
• Jacket: long sleeves, sturdy material
• Pants: long, durable pants such as heavy denim, with no holes
• Boots: over the ankle, with a low heel and sturdy sole

Riders show up in sneakers every season and get sent home. Read the confirmation email carefully. For buying advice, our motorcycle gear for beginners guide breaks down what's worth spending on.

Cost and insurance discount

Prices vary a lot. Some states subsidize the BRC heavily or make it free for residents. Pennsylvania, for instance, offers free courses to permit and license holders through its state program. Private schools and colleges in other states charge anywhere from modest fees to several hundred dollars, often more in big metro areas or on popular summer weekends.

When comparing prices, ask whether the fee includes the motorcycle and helmet, how many students are on the range per coach, and what happens if weather cancels a session.

The course can also pay for itself. Many insurers offer a discount to riders who complete an approved safety course. Ask your agent before you buy a policy and send them a copy of your completion card.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the MSF course?

It depends on your state and provider. Some state programs are free or subsidized, while private schools charge more, so compare local options and ask what's included.

Can you fail the MSF course?

Yes. You must pass both a knowledge test and a riding skills evaluation, and coaches can stop a rider for safety. Most providers offer a way to retest or retake the course.

Do I need my own motorcycle for the MSF course?

Usually not. Most Basic RiderCourse providers supply small training motorcycles, though you'll need your own riding gear and sometimes your own helmet.

Does the MSF course waive the written test?

In some states it does, while others only waive the riding test. Check your state DMV's motorcycle page to see exactly which tests your completion card replaces.