You can experience motorcycling through the Basic Motorcycle RiderCourse program with Rider Education of New Jersey. The course is designed to teach the novice motorcyclist the skills required to ride in a safe manner on the street. The 15-18 hour course of instruction takes the beginning rider through the basics of motorcycle operation, straight line riding, turning, shifting, stopping and safe riding strategies. The course consists of six to eight hours of classroom instruction and eight to ten hours of actual hands-on training. Due to the demanding nature of the course, twenty to twenty two hours are required to administer the program with time being allocated for breaks and lunch. Riding begins with you demonstrating your ability to balance.
The Basic RiderCourse program provides helmets, motorcycles (100cc to 350cc) and instructional material for student use.
Our RiderCoaches for the program are all experienced motorcycle operators who are nationally certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, as well as, the State of New Jersey.
Successful completion of the Basic RiderCourse program waives the need for the NJ graduate to return to Motor Vehicles for the *state road test, as well as providing the opportunity to receive an insurance discount with many major motorcycle insurance companies.
Rider Education of New Jersey Inc. has been approved by the Motor Vehicle Commission to offer the New Jersey Motorcycle Safety Course.
Students must provide:
- Valid learner's permit (passing written & vision test)
- Full-fingered gloves (leather is best)
- Sturdy over-the-ankle boots
- Long pants (denim is best) (No baggy or wide leg jeans)
- Long sleeve shirt OR jacket
- Rain gear (if needed)
- Lunch, Snacks and Drinks (water provided)
Riding begins with you demonstrating your ability to balance.
To be eligible to enroll, a student must be at least 17 years old and will require written parental permission up to age 18. The course is physically demanding. Students should be in good health and be able to ride a bicycle. The RiderCoach will make the final determination if the student will be allowed to participate in the riding portion of the course. All course requirements must be met for successful completion.
Helmet: A helmet must be in good condition, a Department of Transportation sticker affixed and it must fit properly. There is a good selection of helmets available at each site for the novice student's use.
Eye Protection: Students must have suitable unbreakable eye protection.
Gloves: Keep hands comfortable, functional and protected. Come in an infinite variety of all seasons. They must be full finger (no half finger gloves allowed and leather is preferred).
Jacket and Pants: Long sleeves and jeans that will resist abrasion and protect against sunburn, windburn, dehydration or hypothermia. Light colors or reflectivity increase a riders visibility. Baggy or wide leg jeans are not permitted due to the loose jeans getting caught on the pegs and controls.
Boots: Provide protection against foot and ankle injuries and give you a good grip on the pegs and roadway surfaces. Boots must cover 1 inch over the ankle bone for the RiderCourse. The ankle bone cannot be exposed.
What Can I Expect?
In order to be prepared for the basic course, there are several things you will need to do. First, get a motorcycle permit from Motor Vehicle Services. They will give you a motorcycle manual and a non-valid permit. Study the manual and go back and take the written and vision test. After passing both of them, they will stamp the permit, thereby making it valid. Then register for the course by mail, fax or online. You can obtain the application on this website if you would like to mail or fax your registration. After receiving your confirmation sheet and workbook, it is best to visit a motorcycle dealer and get familiar with different types of motorcycles.
This is optional, but is highly recommended. If you need to get gloves or boots, be sure to pick them up before arriving at the first class. Since there will not be time for you to get them after the Friday night classroom.
The first 3 to 4 hours of the course are in classroom, usually scheduled for a Friday night at 6 PM. You do not need to bring your riding gear at this time, but you can bring it if you have any questions about it's suitability. Feel free to bring your dinner with you if you are coming right from work. Be prepared to ride the bicycle.
Bring your valid permit, confirmation sheet, and workbook on Friday night. Usually, Saturday morning you will meet around 7:30 am. This will enable everyone to get fitted for a motorcycle and helmet. You will need your riding gear for the rest of the course. Approximately the next 5 hours will be practicing what you learned in the classroom the night before on the motorcycles. This is the physically demanding part. You need to have the right clothes for environment, plenty of snacks for energy, lots to drink, and a good night's sleep.
For the clothing part, layers work best. It is generally cooler in the morning and then it warms up some. Layers enable you to take something off and still leave you with all your skin covered. If it is hot you might want to soak a bandana in water and wear it around your neck or head. If it is wet you should wear a rain suit and/or bring a change of clothes for later. Bring your snacks to the range so you can munch during breaks and keep your energy level up.
Since most of the ranges do not have restaurants near by and since you do not get much time for lunch, bring your lunch with you. Forget the diet this weekend! Remember that if you were an experienced motorcyclist on the bike for 5 hours, you would be in Virginia and would have stopped to eat several times by the time you stop for lunch. Saturday afternoon is spent in the classroom and then generally finishing up with a written test late in the afternoon. Usually, Sunday you meet at 7:30 am and spend the entire day on the range. At the end of the day there will be a skill's evaluation given.
All of the timing is dependant on many factors such as weather and student ability. Sometimes a class may finish the classroom and range activities sooner or later than stated. Although there are 12 students in a class, each student is an individual and is coached separately.
The entire curriculum is based on you knowing nothing (except how to balance). We start at the beginning and go step-by-step. This procedure works for the most people, the true novice and people that have some experience as well as bad habits. Some people may need the course more than once, some people may not be able to keep up with the class, some people should not ride a motorcycle, and some people will ride forever. Let us help you discover which one you'll be!
** IF YOU HAVE A GDL PERMIT/PROVISIONAL LICENSE, YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK WITH MVC TO MAKE SURE THERE WILL BE NO EXTENSION TIME ON YOUR PROVISIONAL STATUS. IF YOU REGISTER FOR A BASIC RIDERCOURSE AND CHOOSE TO CANCEL DUE TO AN EXTENSION FROM MVC ON YOUR PROVISIONAL LICENSE, THE $50 CANCELLATION FEE STILL APPLIES. RIDER EDUCATION OF NEW JERSEY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY MOTOR VEHICLE COMMISSION ERRORS OR STIPULATIONS ADDED TO YOUR LICENSE.**