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Motorcycle Training

Customized Training & Consulting, a division of Saint Paul College, is pleased to partner with the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center to bring Basic and Advanced Motorcycle Rider courses and Moped courses to the public.

About our motorcycle training

All of our BASIC RIDER Courses follow this format every week no exceptions:

Classroom Session: Thursday evening 5:30pm 10:00pm
Range Exercises: Saturday and Sunday 8:00am 1:00pm or 2:00pm 7:00pm
(Your choice of times as long as space is available.)

100% attendance is required for all three days (Thursday evening as well as Saturday and Sunday) in order to pass the course. Motorcycles are furnished for all participants.

MOPED students would attend the Basic Rider Classroom on Thursday evenings from
5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. along with the Basic Rider participants.

ADVANCED RIDER courses are held as advertised and run for five hours on a Saturday or Sunday. Participants enrolling in an advanced rider course must furnish their own motorcycles, have an endorsed motorcycle license and proof of insurance.

The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center DOES NOT OFFER training on riding dirt-bikes or three-wheeled ATVs.

FAQ

Q: HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR A COURSE?
A: Go to the course schedule link of this Web site and sign up online or call us at 651-846-1800. Payment is required at time of reservation. Registrations for 2008 will be accepted beginning January 2, 2008 or once the schedule is formally approved by the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center, whichever is earlier.

Q: HOW DO I CANCEL MY REGISTRATION?
A: Call our office at 651-846-1800 no later than one week before the course date. After that time, your course can still be cancelled but a $30 fee will be assessed. See Rescheduling, Withdrawal and Refunds for more information.

Q: DO YOU OFFER PRIVATE INSTRUCTION?
A: No.

Q. CAN SPECIAL TIMES BE RESERVED FOR A GROUP?
A. Yes. Motorcycle clubs and/or groups can reserve an Experienced Rider Course time slot by calling our office at 651-846-1800. This service is not available for the Basic Rider Course. Due to the size of our range, maximum enrollment is limited to 12 riders. If your club or group has less than 12 riders and you do not purchase all available seats, we reserve the right to open up the remaining seats to the public.

Q: HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT BEFORE TAKING A COURSE?
A: Basic Rider April, May, June and July courses usually fill up fast. There will be a 2 to 3 month waiting period during this time. Courses beginning in August or later usually slow down and the wait might only be as long as or less than a month. To enroll in an early course, you should register in January or February.

The wait for Moped seats is only a couple of weeks throughout the season but seating is limited. We can take a maximum of four Moped students per week.

Q: HOW IS THE BASIC RIDER COURSE STRUCTURED?
A: The Basic Rider Course is a 14.5 hour course that combines classroom discussion and practice riding on a motorcycle. The classroom discussion helps you prepare for the on-cycle riding portions of the course. Classroom topics include protective gear, mind and machine preparation, risk management, rider responsibility, street strategies, special riding situations and alcohol. The ten-hour riding portion of the class covers the basics of straight-line riding, turning, shifting and stopping and the advanced skills of countersteering, cornering, swerving and emergency braking. Moped students take the classroom only.

Q: WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR A MOTORCYCLE LICENSE?
A: Most people taking the basic rider course want to obtain their motorcycle endorsement on their drivers license. Two sets of rules apply and it all depends on your age! If you already have a drivers license, and are over 18 years of age, one set of rules apply. If you are under 18, a different set of rules apply. Read the following carefully:

RULES FOR OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE

In order to get an endorsement, you first must have a drivers license and a motorcycle permit. A permit is not required to take the Basic Rider Course. A permit is required only if you want a motorcycle endorsement on your drivers license and most people fall in this category.

Permits may be obtained at any Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office that conducts written examinations. As of the date of this document (October, 2005), the permit fee is $21.00. Free study guides are available at their office or at www.motorcyclesafety.state.mn.us

To attend the weekend range exercise, participants must furnish their own protective clothing including eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, full-fingered gloves, over-the-ankle footwear and DOT approved helmet.

The range exercises consist of very basic skills including mounting the motorcycle, identifying the controls and starting and stopping the engine. In addition, participants learn clutch and throttle control, riding posture and the basic skills of straight-line riding, turning, shifting and stopping. Finally, advanced skills such as limited-space maneuvers, countersteering, cornering and swerving are practiced.

If you successfully complete the Basic Rider Course, the DVS skills test for your permit will be waived. Simply return to a DVS office, pay an $11 fee and they will endorse your drivers license for motorcycles.

If you do not plan or want a motorcycle endorsement on your drivers license, a permit is not required for the class.

You do not need a Minnesota permit if you are a resident of another state and have a valid drivers license and/or permit from that state and you have no intention of becoming a Minnesota resident.

RULES FOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE

Participants under 18 years of age must have a valid drivers license or drivers permit and be at least 15 years of age. This course is required in order to obtain a motorcycle permit or endorsement.

Participants must bring the same protective gear eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, full-fingered gloves, over-the-ankle footwear and DOT approved helmet.

Students will participate in the same range exercises as the over 18 group.

Upon successful completion, the participant will be given two cards (certificates) to take to a DVS exam station. One certificate will allow the participant to take the state knowledge (permit) test and the other certificate will allow the participant to take the state skill test for the motorcycle endorsement.

Q: WHAT ABOUT MOPED PERMITS ?
A: A MOPED is defined as having 50cc or less, cannot exceed 2 horsepower and is capable of no more than 30 mph.

Anyone with a drivers license may legally ride a moped on the street. No further action is required although we recommend enrolling in the course to sharpen up your defensive riding strategies, develop good riding skills and reinforce the use of protective riding gear.

If you are at least 15 years of age and without a drivers license, you can earn a moped permit. You must take our Thursday evening course. Upon successful completion of the course, we will then issue you a certificate to take to a DVS exam station where you must then pass a knowledge test and skill test. As of the date of this document, the fee for the moped knowledge test is $6 and the skills test is also $6.

Q: DO I HAVE TO SIGN A WAIVER OF LIABILITY ?
A: All range participants must sign a Waiver and Release of Liability. Your participation in the course and use of our equipment may result in serious bodily injury; including strains, fractures, partial or total paralysis, other temporary and permanent disabilities and even death.

All students under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign the waiver.

Q: CAN WISCONSIN RESIDENTS TAKE THE COURSE?
A: The state of Wisconsin recognizes the Minnesota Basic Rider course. Wisconsin residents seeking a Wisconsin motorcycle endorsement may take our class. You fill out a form of personal information that we provide and, when completed, we report the results to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety who, in turn, will send the participant a completion form to submit to the Wisconsin drivers license office. This process, generally, only takes a couple of additional days.

Q: WHAT ABOUT OTHER STATES?
A: Many states will accept rider training completion cards from Minnesota. States that have indicated they will accept Minnesota training include Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin. If your state is not listed here, assume they will not accept Minnesota Training Completion Cards.

Other than Wisconsin and North Dakota, it would be the students responsibility to contact the motorized vehicle department of their home state and secure the necessary forms, if any, for us to complete.

Q: WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?
A: Range exercises for both basic and advanced rider courses will run in all weather conditions. Be prepared for rain, snow, wind, cold or heat. We suggest that you check the forecast for the weekend prior to your arrival at the range. You may wish to dress in layers for warmth during colder periods or bring rain gear. The only time the range will be postponed is if the weather turns severe.

Q: CAN I RIDE MY OWN MOTORCYCLE IN THE BASIC RIDER COURSE?
A: Yes, you may bring your own bike as long as it is street legal and you have proof of insurance. The engine displacement must be 500cc or less with an unladen weight of 400 pounds or less.

Q: HOW HARD IS THE CLASS?
A: Do most people pass the Basic Rider Course? Yes, but not all. The Basic Rider Course is designed for those who have never ridden a motorcycle. Most people pass but it is not uncommon for some people to repeat the class.

Q. HOW MANY TIMES CAN I TAKE THE CLASS?
A. As third party testers, we can only test a student twice for the skills test (endorsement). We can never give a student a third skills test. If the student has taken the skills test at DVS and failed, we can only test them one additional time. If the student has taken the skills test twice at the DVS and failed, we can test them, as part of the course, to earn their MSF course completion card, but that test cannot be used to stamp their permit. The permit cannot be stamped on a third skills test attempt regardless if they pass or fail.

Q: DO YOU KEEP WAITING LISTS FOR A PARTICULAR CLASS?
A: Because it is labor intensive and because only one person does the scheduling, data entry and other associated work needed in getting a class organized, up and running, we do not maintain wait lists for any course. All registrations are received on a first-come first-served basis.

Q: WHAT IF I CANT ATTEND ALL OF THE SESSIONS OR I AM LATE FOR CLASS?
A: Curriculum standards require 100% attendance at both the Classroom and the Range. Coach/instructors will dismiss anyone who is late or misses any part of the entire course. There is no refund should this happen.

Q. CAN I SPLIT THE CLASSROOM AND RANGE EXERCISES OVER SEVERAL WEEKS?
A. No. The program is designed for a one weekend experience. You cannot take the classroom one week and the range another week.

Q: WHERE ARE THE CLASSES HELD?
A: Classroom sessions are held in the Fireside Room located in the Customized Training Building at Saint Paul College. The building address is 317 Marshall Avenue. You will receive a map with your confirmation letter or you can visit our directions & parking page to download a map.

Range exercises are held in one of the lots behind our building at the same address.

Q: WHAT ABOUT PARKING?
A: For the classroom session, you may park in the lot to the west of the Customized Training Building at 317 Marshall Avenue. Entrance to the lot is on Virginia Street. There is no charge for parking but you do need a permit to park. If one has not been sent to you with your confirmation letter, you may secure a permit from the office on the night of your class. You may also wish to park on Marshall Avenue.

For the weekend range exercises, the coach/instructors will direct you to where you can park. For more information, visit our directions & parking page for parking maps.

Q: WHAT ABOUT COURSE FEES AND PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS?
A: The Basic, Advanced and Moped courses are so popular, we have had to adopt strict rules in order to better serve everyone. Only one person is assigned to handle registrations, scheduling and payments so it is necessary to develop rules to follow so that the persons time is spent serving our customers efficiently. There will be no exceptions to the following:

All seats must be paid for in advance!!!! No reservation will be accepted without payment. The office accepts Visa, MasterCard and Discover credit cards over the phone at 651-846-1800. If you register online, you may pay online. The office also accepts checks and cash payments. Those wishing to pay by check or cash should drop by the Customized Training Office at 317 Marshall Avenue to make payment. We cannot accept phone checks. If you bring cash to the office, please bring the EXACT amount as we do not keep change in the office.

The 2008 fees are as follows:
Basic Rider Course: $160
Moped Course: $25
Advanced Rider Course: $55
Rescheduling charge for changes or drops made within one week of the class start date: $30

Q: WHAT ABOUT REFUNDS?
A. Please read the following policy which should answer your questions:

RESCHEDULING, WITHDRAWAL, AND REFUNDS

Rescheduling and refunds involve a lot of extra data entry and clerical work. It disrupts the smooth workflow of the office and opens the door to potential service errors and mistakes with class lists and rosters. While we sympathize with family problems, health issues, and work schedules, there are some who chronically reschedule and abuse the system and, in order to discourage this, we feel it is necessary to institute a rescheduling charge policy as follows:

Students will be allowed one free rescheduling change per season. After that change has been made, a rescheduling charge of $30.00 for each and every change to a persons schedule will be implemented no matter what the reason unless it is our fault.

Free rescheduling changes must be made no later than 5 business days (one calendar week) prior to the start of the class in order to give us an opportunity to resell your seat to someone else. Failure to give us the one-week notice means you will be charged the $30 and you will forfeit your free change opportunity.

If you wish to withdraw and get a refund, you must let us know no later than 5 business days (one calendar week) prior to the start of the class. This will give us an opportunity to resell your seat to someone else. After that time, the $30 rescheduling charge will be assessed with no exceptions!

In no case will a refund of any amount be issued on or after the day the class is scheduled to begin. For example:

If you miss a class (no show), there will be no refund.

If you show up for class without having obtained a permit, there will be no refund.

If you have skills tested twice at DVS or elsewhere and failed both times, there will be no refund. We cannot endorse a third skills test attempt regardless if you pass or fail.

If you are dismissed from class for behavior issues, there will be no refund.

If you are dismissed from class because you didn't bring the required protective gear to the range (eye protection, long sleeves, long pants, full-fingered gloves, over-the-ankle footwear and DOT approved helmet) there will be no refund.

Curriculum standards require Rider Coaches to dismiss students who are late or miss any portion of the entire course. If this happens, there will be no refund.

To make this very clear, if you drop the course or are dropped for ANY reason on or after the scheduled start day of the course, there will be no refund. Anyone wishing to attend another class session must pay the regular rate for that seat.

What Our Students Say About the Motorcycle Classes

Here are some actual anonymous evaluation comments written by students during the last couple of months of the 2007 season:

"The course not only taught me valuable skills in motorcycling, but I took away a better understanding of driving in general." 9/9/07

"Instructors were great, communicated well and gave great tips/pointers". 8/26/07

"Very good, worthwhile!" 8/25/07

"Instructors were exceptional. They were very knowledgeable and showed concern for our safety." 8/25/07

"As an experienced rider, I was very satisfied with all course instruction and exercises. I am glad to have had this opportunity." 8/25/07

"The instructors were phenomenal. Friendly, helpful, and well-informed. I loved this course". 8/12/07

"I heard about this course through a friend who took the course and was very satisfied. I will recommend this course to anyone. Great job! " 8/5/07