General Information
General Information
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Purpose
The Motorcycle RiderCourses are offered to beginning and experienced motorcycle riders in an effort to reduce the severity and frequency of motorcycle accidents. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation curriculum is used. It is designed to help riders manage their risk and increase their skills through riding and classroom instruction.
TOPEligibility
Any Illinois resident (16 years of age or older) who holds a
valid drivers license or permit is eligible to register for the FREE
Motorcycle Rider Courses. Persons under 18 years of age must have a
parent or legal guardian approve participation in the course by
signing a waiver form, which can be downloaded from our web site (http://www.motorcyclesafety.ilstu.edu/ISUIDOTWaiver.pdf).
Be sure to bring the signed form to the first meeting.
Basic RiderCourse
The Basic RiderCourse (BRC) provides approximately 20 hours of classroom and on-motorcycle instruction. In the BRC you will practice and develop the four fundamental riding skills:
- Straight-line riding
- Turning
- Shifting
- Stopping
- Advanced turning techniques
- Advanced braking techniques
- Swerving
- Street-riding strategies
- The ability to deal with special situations
Students Provide
Protective clothing consisting of sturdy, over-the-ankle footwear (not cloth or canvas, boots suggested), long pants, long sleeve shirt or jacket, and full-fingered gloves. Equipment provided for BRC includes: helmet and eye protection. A motorcycle will be provided for BRC and IRC students only.
TOPLicensing
Upon successfully completing the BRC or IRC, a completion card will be issued that will enable the Secretary of State motorcycle written and driving tests to be waived for those 18 years of age and older. Persons 16 and 17 must complete this course to be eligible for the "M" class motorcycle endorsement.
TOPIntermediate Rider Course (IRC) Eligibility
Illinois residents who are at least 18 years of age (on the first day of their course) are eligible to enroll in the IRC if they have a valid driver's license with a motorcycle classification, or an instruction permit for class L or M, and have previous experience as a motorcycle operator. All IRC students are expected to possess reasonable proficiencies in basic motorcycle control operation, straight line riding, upshifting, downshifting, turning, braking, and stopping prior to enrolling in the IRC. All IRC students are expected to be current motorcycle operators. They must have been actively riding for the past 2 years. Those unable to demonstrate these minimum expectations during the first riding sessions will not be allowed to continue in the IRC course. Neither will they be given preferential enrollment into a basic course.
The motorcycles, helmets, and textbooks are provided for each student's use. Students must provide: a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long pants (heavy material with straight legs), sturdy over-the-ankle footwear (not cloth or canvas), full-fingered gloves and eye protection (glasses, goggles or face shield).
Intermediate Rider Course (IRC)
The IRC is designed for riders with previous experience who are returning to motorcycling or who have ridden for some time without a license. They may be returning riders who passed the BRC and do not have their own motorcycle or who would like additional training and practice before riding on the street, and for experienced dirt bike riders who want to start riding on the street.
The course presents an overview of the fundamentals of safe, responsible motorcycling and provides the riders the opportunity to, renew skills and acquire knowledge important for safe street operation. The IRC provides a training experience for riders who already have basic operational skills including motorcycle control operation, straight line riding, upshifting, downshifting, turning, braking, and stopping. All IRC students are expected to be current motorcycle operators. They must have been actively riding for the past 2 years. Those unable to demonstrate these minimum expectations during the first riding sessions will not be allowed to continue in the IRC course. Neither will they be given preferential enrollment into a basic course.
The IRC consists of 8.5 hours of instruction with motorcycles and helmets furnished. Upon successful completion of the course, completion cards will be given that will waive the written and riding examination at the Secretary of State Driver Services Facilities.
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Experienced RiderCourse (ERC) Eligibility
ERCs are available for enrollment at this regional center this year. Information may be available from the NIU, SIU, U of I motorcycle safety programs at the links in the ISU's Motorcycle Safety Home Page. All ERC students must have at least one year of riding experience with a minimum of 1000 miles driving a motorcycle, or be a graduate of the BRC or IRC and have six months riding experience and a minimum of 500 miles driving a motorcycle; provide their own street-legal motorcycle or have the owner's written permission to use a borrowed street-legal motorcycle; have a motorcycle endorsement to ride the motorcycle used in the ERC; complete a waiver form and motorcycle safety inspection checklist (forms provided); show proof of motorcycle insurance (at first class meeting). See also, Students Provide.
TOPExperienced RiderCourse
In approximately 5 hours, you will:
- Increase your skills, knowledge and safety awareness and enjoyment
- Become familiar with motorcycle dynamics, survival strategies, emergency braking, countersteering and traction availability
- Practice precise steering techniques and correct braking methods under controlled conditions with Motorcycle Safety Foundation Certified Instructors
- Gain the knowledge necessary for further development of safe riding skills
Special Needs
Please contact our office to discuss reasonable accommodations for disabilities.
TOPSponsored By
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State University, Health Sciences Department (HSC), local motorcycle dealers, and community agencies as a public service. This program is administered through the IDOT, Division of Traffic Safety, Springfield, Illinois and is supported by Public Act 82-649, the Cycle Rider Safety Training Act.
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