FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

• How much does the course cost?

• Is Streetwise Cycle School approved by the Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) and the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) ?

• Is Streetwise Cycle School certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) ?

• Do I need any experience to take the Basic Rider Course?

• Do I need my own motorcycle or scooter to take the course?

• How should I dress for the motorcycle riding?

• What if I do not own a helmet?

• Do I need a motorcycle permit to take the course?

• How do I get a motorcycle permit?

• I have heard that I can get my motorcycle license by taking the course, without the need for an RMV Road Test.  How does this work?

• Can I take the course even though I am under 18 years old?

• I noticed that your registration form asks if my leg inseam is less than 26 inches.  Can I still take the course if my inseam is less than 26 inches?

• Will the course run if it rains?

• How many hours long is the course?  How many days does it take?

• How do I enroll?

• How will I know if I am scheduled for the date I selected?

• When are classes held?

• Where are the classes held?

• What should I do if I need to reschedule or cancel my class?

• If I would like to learn on my own prior to class, are there any resources that I can use?

• In the Experienced RiderCourse, I need to use my own motorcycle.  Is there anything special that my motorcycle needs?

Do I need my own motorcycle or scooter to take the course?

We offer Honda Rebel 250s, Honda Nighthawk 250s, Suzuki DR200SE, Suzuki GZ250s, Kawasaki Eliminator 125s, and Hyosung GT250s:

How should I dress for the motorcycle riding?

You will need the following gear:

• a D.O.T approved helmet (if you don’t own a helmet, you can borrow one of ours)

• eye protection

• long sleeve shirt or jacket

• full fingered gloves

• long pants

• over the ankle footwear

 

Also, you should dress in layers so that you can add/subtract layers as the temperature changes throughout the day.  If rain is in the forecast, you should bring rain gear.

What if I do not own a helmet?

If you do not own a helmet, you can borrow one from us.  If you own a D.O.T.  helmet, you can use your own. 

Do I need a motorcycle permit to take the course?

If you do not want to get your license as a result of passing the course, you do not need a permit.

If you would like to obtain your license by taking (and passing) the course, you should get your permit before the course and bring a photocopy of it with you to the first day of class.

If you would like to reserve your spot in a class ASAP to avoid missing a "sold out" class, you can book your reservation for the course prior to getting your permit.  You will need to get your permit before the first class, however.  Please be aware that re-scheduling fees may apply if you are not able to attend the class that you reserve.  More information on obtaining your motorcycle permit and license is provided in the two FAQ items below.

How do I get a motorcycle permit?

Go to any full service registry to take the multiple-choice permit test (you need to answer 18 out of 25 questions correctly).  No appointment is needed.  They will not let you take the test during their last hour of operation, so get there well before closing time.  Also, while you are at the RMV, tell them that you are planning to take a Motorcycle Safety Course and  tell them that you want to pre-pay the License Fee along with the Permit Fee (note: you do not need to pay the Road Test Fee since a written and riding evaluation is included in the Basic and Experienced Rider Courses).

Prior to taking the permit test, you should look over the Motorcycle Operator's Manual and the Driver's Manual by either downloading these PDF documents or by picking them up at an RMV branch office.  Make sure that you pay attention to the sections of the Driver's manual that cover Junior Operator Laws and Driving Under the Influence penalties.

I have heard that I can get my motorcycle license, without taking the RMV Road Test.  How does this work?

If you complete and pass either the Basic or Experienced RiderCourse (including a written knowledge test and riding skills evaluation), you will get your motorcycle license without the need for the RMV Road Test.

In order to qualify for the RMV Road Test exemptions, there are a few other details that you must complete: 

You must bring a photocopy of your motorcycle (class M) permit to the first class session.  Your permit must not expire within two weeks of course completion. 

Also, if you would like to avoid going to a Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) branch location to obtain your motorcycle license, you must comply with the following:

1.  Pre-pay the motorcycle license fee.  The $15 fee ($40 for motorcycle-only license if applicant does not have an existing Massachusetts license) can be paid by calling the telephone center at (617) 351-4500 or by visiting any RMV branch location.

 2.  All unpaid parking violations, Fast Lane violations, outstanding excises taxes, outstanding court warrants, citations or unfulfilled child support obligations must be resolved before an endorsement can be issued.

 3.  If under 18 years of age, you must:           

a.     Have a Driver Education Certificate issued by the RMV.

b.     Have held your Cass D or M permit for a minimum of 6 months.

When pre-paying, make sure that the Registry has your proper mailing address as they will be mailing your license to you.  STREETWISE CYCLE SCHOOL will process your information through the RMV and you will receive either a motorcycle endorsement on your existing license or a motorcycle-only license in the mail.  The process takes approximately 2 weeks.  You must continue to operate under the permit restrictions until you receive your license in the mail.

If you fail to pre-pay for your license, you will receive a certificate in the mail within 2 weeks of course completion.  This certificate exempts you from the RMV road test.  You must take the certificate and your completion card to the RMV and pay the fee to obtain your license.

Can I take the course even though I am under 18 years old?

Yes, you may take the course. You will need to have a waiver form signed by a parent or legal guardian.  Please print out this online waiver form, have it signed by your parent or legal guardian, and bring it to class with you.

Waiver Form Printing Instructions

I noticed that your registration form asks if my leg inseam is less than 26 inches.  Can I still take the course if my inseam is less than 26 inches?

If your leg inseam is less than 26 inches, call us at 781-974-2474.  We will make arrangements for you to come down to our training site and sit on our motorcycles to ensure they will fit your needs.  This should be done prior to registering for the course.

Will the course run if it rains?

The course runs rain or shine.  Please come prepared with rain gear. 

How many hours long is the course?  How many days does it take?

The Basic RiderCourse is a total of 15 hours.  5 hours of the course involves classroom instruction.  10 hours are spent on the riding range with on-cycle instruction.

The Experienced RiderCourse is 6 hours.

Check out the online schedule or call us at 781-974-2474 to understand the schedule.

How do I enroll?

To enroll, click on the "Register" on the left side of the web page and follow the 4-step process:

1. Review the terms

2. Look at the schedule and decide what class you would like.

3. Pay by clicking on the "Buy Now" button.

4. Complete the online registration form to select a class and provide your contact information.

How will I know if I am scheduled for the date that I selected?

We will send a confirmation letter either by email or U.S. mail.  The confirmation letter will contain your confirmation number, class code, a detailed schedule of the class dates and times, directions to the site, and a list of things that you should bring to the classroom and riding sessions.  If you do not receive the confirmation letter within a few days, call us at 781-974-2474 to make sure that your registration was received.

When are classes held?

Check the online schedule on this web site or call us at 781-974-2474.

Where are the classes held?

Classes are held at the former Stop & Shop Distribution Center 100 Meadow Rd. Boston, MA 02136 (in the Readville section of Hyde Park).

What should I do if I need to reschedule or cancel my class?

If you need to cancel or reschedule a class, follow the instructions below.

Cancellation Policy: To receive a refund, a request must be sent in writing (US Mail, e-mail - see our "Contact Us" link) and received by Streetwise Cycle School more than 10 days prior to the start of the course. All cancellations that are made more than 10 days prior to the start of the course will be charged a $50 cancellation fee. No refunds will be made to students who cancel with less than 10 days written notice, are late to class, dismissed, voluntarily leave, do not pass a written or riding evaluation, have previously rescheduled, or miss a segment of either course.

Below is an outline of fees for canceling based on how much notice you give us:

Amount of notice:	Cancellation Fee:
More than 10 days	$50
Less than 10 days	No cancellations allowed with less than 10 days notice.  You can re-schedule to another date in the same calendar year (subject to space availability).  Refer to the reschedule fees below.

Reschedule Policy: Students may reschedule to another class within the calendar year one time, space permitting. All reschedule requests must be sent to Streetwise Cycle School in writing (US Mail, e-mail - see our "Contact Us" link).  All reschedule requests that are received more than 7 days prior to the start of the course will be charged a $25 reschedule fee. All reschedule requests that are received between 7 and 2 days prior to the start of the course will be charged a $100 reschedule fee.  There will be no rescheduling of a class within 48 hours of the start of the course.

Below is an outline of fees for rescheduling based on how much notice you give us:

Amount of notice:	Reschedule Fee:
More than 7 days	$25
Less than 7 days, but more than 2 days	$100 if you reschedule
within 48 hours of the start of the course	This is considered a cancellation.  No refund is available.  Full tuition is forfeited.

If I would like to learn on my own prior to the class, are there any resources that I can use?

Review the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle's Motorcycle Operator's Manual.

Review the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s (MSF) Basic RiderCourse Interactive Tour. 

Test yourself with the MSF's Basic RiderCourse Review.

Try out a set of interactive simulations on the MSF's Motorcycle Challenge.

In the Experienced RiderCourse, I need to use my own motorcycle.  Are there any special requirements for my motorcycle?

Your motorcycle needs to pass a pre-ride inspection.  It should have current insurance, registration, and a state inspection sticker.  Also, please make sure that the exhaust is legal (No straight pipes, please.  Street legal aftermarket exhausts are OK.)