Learning to ride in the USA?

georgeous

Hey guys,

I'm moving to New York in January for work - I'm likely to be there for quite a long time so thought I'd finally have the opportunity to learn to ride there.

Does anyone have any experience of riding in the States or learning there and the processes involved? Also, some motoring laws do change between States, am I correct in thinking that? (hence mentioning NY above).

Any info would be great, thanks.

G

DonkeyRhubarb

Just make sure your bike is left hand drive.

traco

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

Just make sure your bike is left hand drive.

As he said - from what I know of the US Test its simpler than ours. Some vides below which may help. Also find a bike forum in NY and ask a question there. Thinks they use a box system in some states.

WA DMV

NJ DMV

California DMV

gsxr1

you can get the car lience on a hoilday visa. But need a green card or similer for a bike lience. You also need a social security number to reg (get plates) a bike. The plate stays with owner and is not tranfered during a sale


A motorcycle is not suitable for the streets of NYC by the way. Its ultra super dangerous. The grid system means there is no fun in riding and the 1000s of 5L kamocasi yellow cab drivers make it life threating. They will not give way to you. Believe me. Makes Irish drivers look like saints.

EvilMonkey

Don't know what its like in the states, the kick in the balls though is when you come back you will have to start all over again, you will go from riding a big bike + cheap insurance in the US to a learner permit and expensive insurance back here.

Dark-Mavis

Bike in NYC wouldn't be too much fun.
All right angle turns, potholes all over the shop, and as mentioned crazy cabbies.

Dunno about NY but in most states it's actually illegal to filter traffic.

georgeous

Thanks for the replies guys.

gsxr1 wrote: »

need a green card or similar for a bike lience. You also need a social security number to reg (get plates) a bike. The plate stays with owner and is not tranfered during a sale

I actually lived in NY last year so have social security etc., and my company have my 3 year Visa ready for me to go back in Jan. Good point about the reg though, didn't know about that, thanks.

EvilMonkey wrote: »

kick in the balls though is when you come back you will have to start all over again

So it's not transferable as a licence? To be honest, due to the nature of my work it's unlikely I'll ever even live in Ireland again unfortunately, so that mightn't even matter.

Dark-Mavis wrote: »

Bike in NYC wouldn't be too much fun.
All right angle turns, potholes all over the shop, and as mentioned crazy cabbies.

Tell me about it - worst roads I've ever seen. I'd be careful enough as a driver though. But its definitely something to consider.

As for the cabbies - they're horrendous. I used to spend most of my time directing them where to go as they wouldn't have a frickin' clue. I've also been witness to a fair few cabbie crashes, one resulting in a cab going through the window of a Starbucks.

Dark-Mavis wrote: »

Dunno about NY but in most states it's actually illegal to filter traffic.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's the same in NY actually, which is why I originally asked about the laws etc.

Thanks again guys, all good stuff to consider.

galwaytt

georgeous wrote: »

So it's not transferable as a licence? To be honest, due to the nature of my work it's unlikely I'll ever even live in Ireland again unfortunately, so that mightn't even matter.

..never say never ! I know too many people who didn't keep up their Irish licence when they went away, and regretted it.

Whatever Irish licence(s) you have, keep them renewed and up to date. Sometime, somewhere, you'll be glad you did.

georgeous

galwaytt wrote: »

I know too many people who didn't keep up their Irish licence when they went away, and regretted it.

Sorry, should have made it clearer - I don't actually have a Motorbike licence, so I'll be learning over there. Have a Car licence from Ireland, and will definitely keep an eye on keeping it up to date.

txpjl

http://www.msf-usa.org/

I did this. ~$350 5 years ago.

I had an M class added to my NY car license then took the MSF course in Queens College on a weekend. It was a great course. I was a beginner and learned a lot about riding a bike, plus when you pass (easy) you can take the cert to the DMV and get a full M class on your license.

There is a DMV office in Manhattan on 34th st near Macys. You will need a NY drivers license - learners permit. I would get one of these then add the M class to it.

http://www.dmv.org/ny-new-york/motorcycle-license.php

Filtering is called lane splitting over here and illegal in most states including NY.

Shoot me a PM if you want. I live in Queens but don't commute on a bike. If I did I'd get a Vespa or something.

I'm doing the opposite, I'm moving home next summer and have to start from new in Ireland.

georgeous

Awesome txpjl, that's pretty much exactly the kind of thing I was looking for - can't thank you enough!