According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, a motorcycle learner's permit allows you to learn to operate a motorcycle. To get a motorcycle learner's permit you must pass a motorcycle knowledge exam, if you do not already hold a valid learner's permit or driver's license for an automobile you must also pass a 2 part driver's license knowledge exam.
The rules that VA DMV list for a holder of a motorcycle learner's permit include:
- If you are under age 19, you must hold a Virginia motorcycle learner's permit for at least nine months.
- You must wear an approved safety helmet.
- You must wear eye and face protection.
- You must be supervised by a person at least 21 years of age who is licensed to operate a motorcycle, who is alert and able to assist you and is supervising from a separate accompanying motor vehicle.
- You cannot carry passengers with a motorcycle learner's permit.
[Let CarInsurance.com help you find affordable auto insurance now.] The VA DMV also notes that since July 1, 2007, customers who are 19 or older, who hold a valid Virginia driver's license and successfully complete a Virginia Rider Training Program may operate a motorcycle for 30 days from the date of the course completion without obtaining a learner's permit. You must apply within the 30 days at DMV to add the Class M to your license to remain eligible to operate a motorcycle.
The Virginia Motorcycle operator manual gives more regulations and conditions for driving with a learner's permit for your bike. Here it states that a motorcycle learner's permit allows you to operate a motorcycle after 4 a.m. and before midnight. You must wear an approved helmet. You may operate the motorcycle only when supervised by a person licensed to operate a motorcycle and who is:
- At least age 21 or older
- Alert and able to assist you
- Providing immediate supervision
Exception: Your parent, legal guardian or sibling may supervise you if they are licensed to operate a motorcycle and are age 18 or older. No one, other than the operator, can be on the motorcycle. If you are under age 19, you must hold the motorcycle learner's permit for at least nine months. If you are under 19 years old you will need to hold a motorcycle learner's permit for nine months.
If you already hold a valid Virginia driver's license and have not previously held a Class M designation or a motorcycle driver's license, you may add a Class M designation, which will allow you to also operate a motorcycle. To receive this designation, you must pass the motorcycle knowledge and road skills tests and hold a motorcycle learner's permit for 30 days. If you are under age 19 you will need to hold a motorcycle learner's permit for nine months.
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To make sure understand all the restrictions and conditions of your VA motorcycle learner's permit read through the motorcycle operator's manual that you should have a copy of and have studied for your knowledge test. If you do not have a copy then see the copy the VA DMV has online. The VA DMV can also answer any specific questions you have about the regulations for driving your motorcycle with your permit.
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