Okay, so I finally decided to get my motorcycle permit here in Texas. Let me tell you, it was a bit of a process, but I got through it, and I’m here to share my experience so you can too!
Getting Started
First things first, I had to figure out what I even needed. I’m over 18, so I knew I had some options. Turns out, you gotta take a safety course no matter what. That was my first step. I searched around online for approved motorcycle safety courses near me and found a few options.
The Safety Course
I booked a basic rider course. It was a weekend thing – Friday evening, then all day Saturday and Sunday. We spent some time in a classroom learning the rules of the road, and basic motorcycle stuff, it’s really basic, but it’s super necessary.
- Classroom Stuff:We learned about things like wearing the right gear, how to check your bike before you ride, and how to handle different road situations.
- Hands-on Riding: This was the fun part! They provided the motorcycles (small, easy-to-handle ones) and we practiced in a big parking lot. We started with the super basics – like, how to even sit on the bike and get it started. Then we moved on to turning, shifting, and stopping.
The instructors were cool. I was nervous at first, and I definitely dropped the bike a couple of times in early pratice, but I think it’s really good to practice with some experienced riders.
Written and riding test
At the end of the course, we had two tests,a written test and a riding test. The written test was pretty straightforward if you paid attention in class. It’s all common sense safety stuff.
The riding test was also not very hard. We had to show we could control the bike, make turns, stop safely, and do a few other basic maneuvers. Passed both!
At the DPS
After I completed the safety course, I got a certificate of completion. Armed with that, I headed to the DPS(Department of Public Safety). This is where things got a little… bureaucratic. I went and got ready with everything:
- The Certificate: From my safety course.
- ID and Stuff: My driver’s license, proof of residency, social security card – the usual.
- Application: I filled out the motorcycle license application.
- Vision Test: They had me do a quick vision test.
- Thumbprints and Photo: Standard procedure.
- Pay the Fee: It wasn’t too bad, but make sure you have a way to pay.
After all that, they gave me a temporary paper permit,and after a couple of weeks,the real deal showed up in the mail. I’ve got my motorcycle permit!
Wrap up
The whole process took a little bit of time and effort, but it was definitely worth it. Now, I’m enjoying riding my motorcycle in Texas!Just remember to be careful,take it one step at a time.
