Contact Information:
Motorcycle Hotline: 240-567-1864
Fax: 240-567-1877
Motorcycle@montgomerycollege.edu

Training Center Manager
Shaun Anderson
shaun.anderson@montgomerycollege.edu

Program Director
Marcy Jackson
240-567-2589
marcy.jackson@montgomerycollege.edu

Motorcycle Safety Program, FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions

REGISTRATION RELATED QUESTIONS

How do I register?
How much does it cost?
How old do I have to be to sign up?
What happens if I owe the College money?
What is the lottery?
If I am a senior citizen or in the National Guard do I qualify for a tuition waiver?
Where can I get the book?
What do I need to do before my BRC class starts?

SPECIAL SERVICES / CIRCUMSTANCES RELATED QUESTIONS

What should I do if I have a disability?
What about the weather?
Do I need a driver’s license?
What if I’m under 18?
What if I don't speak English?
If I cannot finish the class, can I get a refund?
What if I am not a Maryland Resident?

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS and COURSE RELATED QUESTIONS

What course should I take? See Which Class is Right for Me?
Where are the classes held?
Is there a textbook?
Can I preview the material for the course?
How long does a course last?
What is the typical course schedule?
Can I ride my own motorcycle during the range portion of the course?
What does the Motorcycle Safety Program (MCSP) provide?

CLASS RELATED QUESTIONS

What happens if I’m late?
Where do I park?
What do I need to wear for the class?
Can I keep my cell phone or pager on during class and range time?
Who teaches the class?

LICENSING & TEST RELATED QUESTIONS

Can I get my Motorcycle License?
If I am active duty military, and have an out of state license, what documentation do I receive?
Is there any guarantee that I will pass the class and get my license?
If I fail a test what do I do?
What are the requirements for obtaining my Class M License once I receive my certificate from the course ?

How do I apply to become a Motorcycle Instructor?

CONTACT RELATED QUESTIONS

What if I still have questions?

Answers to REGISTRATION RELATED QUESTIONS

Registration may be done by web, fax, mail, or in-person. Students may register at any WD&CE Customer Service Office. See Registration Information, Options and Policies for more information on Customer Service locations and information on how to register by Web. Registrations will not be accepted early.

When is registration?

Motorcycle registration is now available online or in person at Customer Service locations. There are no longer special registration dates for Motorcycle Classes. Check the official schedule for classes that are open for registration.

How much does it cost?

BRC (Basic Rider Course), Course #SFT025, $290.00 tuition and fees, add $140.00 for Non-Maryland Residents.
ABRC (Alternate Basic Rider Course), Course #SFT041, $245.00 tuition and fees, add $140.00 for Non-Maryland Residents.
BRC II (Basic Rider Course II), Course #SFT031, $185.00 tuition and fees, add $120.00 for Non-Maryland Residents.

How old do I have to be to sign up?

Students must be at least 16 years and 7 months old to take the course. However, the Motor Vehicle Administration requires that students under the age of 18, or those applying for their first driver's license must complete the Maryland Graduated License Program before they can apply for a secondary license (such as motorcycle). See MVA Rookie Driver for more information.

What happens if I owe the College money?

The College will not allow you to register until all previous financial obligations are resolved.

Do you offer a lottery or stand-by?

Yes. Montgomery College offers the Standby process administered by the Motorcycle Training Center Manager through a lottery to ensure full enrollment of each course when registered students do not show up for the course. To participate in the lottery, students should show up 30 minutes prior to the beginning of class. If you are already registered for another class, and others are awaiting a standby slot, those students who are not preregistered for another course have first option if there are any available seats. BRC students are to report to the student lounge at the training center located on the 4th floor of Montgomery College's Business Training Center. ABRC / BRC II students should report to the range (14 Firstfield Road). A few minutes before the course begins, name(s) will be chosen by lottery for available spaces in the course. The standby roster and lottery will only accept a limited number of names as the likelihood for more than one lottery participant to win is low given that there are rarely more than 2 spaces available in each course.

Another option is to contact another training center in Maryland to see if they might have space available; please see "Who Else Offers This Course" under the Contacts section below.

To be eligible you must be a resident of Maryland and qualify for in-state tuition according to the College guidelines, and be at least 60 years old, or retired and disabled as defined by the Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Act. If you are currently a member of the Maryland National Guard and are enlisted for at least a 24 month period, you are eligible for a 50% tuition waiver. You must submit proof of such from the adjutant general's office. Only tuition is waived; required fees must be paid by the student.

Where can I get the book?
What do I need to do to prepare for the BRC class?

Motorcycle Handbook: Montgomery College makes every attempt to get the textbook to the students at least one week prior to class. If you register in person, you will receive your book when you register. If you register by mail or fax,, we will mail your book to you. If you register by web, you must call us at 240-567-5188 to let us know that you have registered for Motorcycle so that we can mail you the book, or stop by any WD&CE Customer Service Center to pick one up. Students wishing to prepare for class may view the Handbook online. The Rider Handbook online (not printable) is available at the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

What should I do if I have a disability?

If you need support services due to a disability, please follow these steps:
1. Register for a class.
2. Call 240-567-5188 or e-mail us at wdce@montgomerycollege.edu at least four weeks prior to the start of class to arrange for accommodations and/or assistive technology.
If this procedure is not followed, services may be delayed and you may not be able to participate in the program.

What about the weather?

Classes are sometimes affected by the weather. In the case of extreme weather conditions, please check www.montgomerycollege.edu or the College’s main phone number at 240-567-5000, which will indicate if the College (and all of its classes) is closed. Unless the College is closed or you are contacted by Montgomery College, you can expect the course to proceed. On rare occasions heavy rain or strong winds will force a class to be postponed. If that is the case you will be notified, and your class will be rescheduled. Should you have any questions about the course you may contact the Training Center Manager at Motorcycle@montgomerycollege.edu or the motorcycle hotline at 240-567-1864 for any special instructions, if applicable.

Do I need a driver’s license?

No, you may take the course without a drivers license as long as you are 16 years and 7 months. However, you will not be able to obtain the "M" endorsement on your license until you have met certain requirements as outlined in the Maryland Graduated License Program. Students under the age of 18, or those applying for their first driver's license, must complete the Maryland Graduated License Program, before they can apply for a secondary license (such as motorcycle). See MVA ROOKIE Driver or MVA ROOKIE Driver FAQs for more information.

What if I’m under 18?

If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign the MVA/MCSP Release form which will be given out at the first class. You will not be allowed to attend the first range session unless your parent or guardian has signed the release form. Please note that students must complete the Maryland Graduated License Program before applying for a secondary license, such as a motorcycle license. See the MVA ROOKIE driver program for more information on the Maryland Graduated License Program.

What if I don't speak English?

All class content including discussions, text reading, exercises and exams are conducted in English. There are no translators provided. Students can assess their English proficiency by using the ESOL campus testing services prior to registering, call 240-567-7262.

What if I am not a Maryland Resident?

Non-Maryland residents will have to pay an additional non-resident fee when they register for the class. Upon the successful completion of the class Non-Maryland resident students will receive a completion card, not a certificate. Maryland completion cards may or may not be acceptable to other states although the District of Columbia DOES accept the Maryland completion card.

What is the refund policy?

Refunds must be requested in writing and are granted to those students who Drop the course by the College's 6% date (the first day of class) and to those students not permitted to enter the class due to lateness. To Drop the course and receive a refund call Customer Service at 240-567-5188. Students who do not Drop the course will not be granted a refund unless you can provide proof of emergency preventing contact in a timely manner.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS and COURSE RELATED QUESTIONS

What course should I take?

These simple questions may help you decide which course to take:
Have you ever ridden a motorcycle?
• If "NO", then BRC
• If "YES"
  • Have you ridden at least 2,000 miles?
    • If "NO", then BRC
    • If "YES"
      • Are you licensed?
        • If "NO", then ABRC
        • If "YES", then BRC-II

BRC: You should consider the Beginning Rider Course (BRC). If you have never ridden a motorcycle before.

ABRC: Take the Alternate BRC (ABRC), if you have some riding experience or are currently riding without a license and simply want to get your license.

BRCII: You should consider taking the BRC II if you are a licensed rider and wish to enhance your skills. You will be expected to ride your own bike. Program bikes will not be available. You will be asked to provide proof of insurance for the motorcycle that you will be riding. You must be properly dressed to participate in the class; see What do I wear for class?. The dress code is the same for the BRC.

Most classroom sessions are held at GBTC, although a few are held at our Rockville campus.

Gaithersburg Business Training Center (GBTC) *map
12 S. Summit Ave., Suite 400, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877
8:30am - 9:00pm, Monday - Friday; 8:30am - 4:30pm, Saturday.
Phone: 240-567-1863, Fax: 240-567-1877
or a classroom at Montgomery College, Rockville Campus, Rockville, Maryland 20850, see map.

All range sessions will be held at Montgomery College’s leased parking lot,located at:
14 Firstfield Road
Gaithersburg, MD 20878 see map

Is there a textbook?

Yes, There us a Motorcycle Handbook. Montgomery College makes every attempt to get the textbook to the students at least one week prior to class. If you register in person, you will receive your book when you register. If you register by mail or fax, we will mail your book to you. If you register by web, you must call us at 240-567-5188 to let us know that you have registered for Motorcycle so that we can mail you the book.

Can I preview the material for the course?

Yes, if you would like to prepare for class ahead of time, the booklet is available online at:

http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?spl=2&action=display&pagename=Library. Once you get to the page, scroll down until you see the Rider Course Handbook link, and click on it. Please note that this is a PDF file that cannot be saved to your computer. You can only view it.

Curriculum Materials
  Basic RiderCourse Handbook (Non-printable)
  Basic RiderCourse Handbook - First Two Chapters (Printable)
  Basic RiderCourse Handbook - Spanish (Non-printable)

For the Alternate BRC /BRC II, you can study the guide at : http://www.msf-usa.org/index_new.cfm?spl=2&action=display&pagename=Library. Once you get to the page, scroll down until you see the BRC II Rider Classroom Cards link, and click on it. Please note that this is a PDF file that cannot be saved to your computer. You can only view it.

How long does a course last?

The BRC takes approximately 17 hours, usually with 2 days of classroom sessions and two days on the range. See schedule for dates and times.

The Alternate BRC and BRC II take approximately 7 - 8 hours each.

What is the typical course schedule?

Most BRC classroom sessions are held Thursday and Friday evenings from 6-9 p.m., and range practice is held on Saturday and Sunday mornings or Saturday and Sunday afternoons. See schedule for more information.

Occasionally a BRC class is scheduled during the day time in the middle of the week. Check the schedule for more information.

ABRC and BRC II students report directly to the range. All training sessions are held on the range. Usually the range sessions are all day from about 8:00am to 6:00pm on a Saturday or Sunday with a break for lunch. Check the schedule for more information.

Can I ride my own motorcycle during the range portion of the course?

In the BRC and ABRC you must ride a motorcycle provided by the Motorcycle Safety Program.
BRC II participants must be licensed motorcyclists and will be expected to ride their own bikes. Training motorcycles will not be available for BRC II student use. Proof of proper license, registration, and insurance will be required prior to the beginning of the class.

What does the Motorcycle Safety Program (MCSP) provide?

For the BRC, the MCSP provides the instructors, the curriculum materials and the RiderCourse Handbook. See Motorcycle Handbook for information on where to obtain the book. The MCSP also provides training motorcycles, helmets, gloves, and eye protection—which must be returned at the end of each range session. If you own your own riding gear, you are encouraged to use it as long as it meets the requirements noted below. All borrowed equipment must be returned at the end of each class/ range session.

For the ABRC, the MCSP provides the instructors, the curriculum materials and, the Classroom Cards, training motorcycles, helmets, gloves, and eye protection. All borrowed equipment must be returned at the end of your class.

For the BRC II, the MCSP provides the instructors, the curriculum materials and, the Classroom Cards—which must be returned at the end of the class. You will be expected to ride your own motorcycle. Training motorcycles will not be available.

Where is my class held?

Most BRC classroom sessions are held in Room 404 at the GBTC, although some may be offered at the Rockville campus. Students will be notified in advance if any classroom sessions will be held in Rockville.
ABRC and BRC II training sessions are only held on the Training Range located about 200 yards to the west of the intersection of Bank Street and Firstfield Road in Gaithersburg. The entrance to the parking lot is located across from 15 Firstfield Road.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS to range.

Alternate BRC and BRC II:
Report to the Driving Range as noted above. Class starts at 8:00 am promptly unless otherwise noted.

We recommend you be at the proper location at least 30 minutes prior to the posted starting time. Please see the LATE policy.

When does the training center open?

The training center opens 30 minutes prior to the beginning of class.

Where do I park?

For classroom sessions located at GBTC there is a four story parking garage behind 12 South Summit Ave. Some spaces are restricted, be sure you do not park in a reserved space!

What happens if I’m late?

We urge you to be on time. If you are late, you will not be admitted to the class! If this occurs, you must request a refund. Refunds are not automatic, you must request one. There is no opportunity in the course to review missed material. The class starts at the time specified according to the GBTC classroom clock or the Instructor’s watch if the class is being conducted on the range.
Montgomery College is not responsible for traffic, weather or any other condition or circumstance that might cause a participant to be late. It is the student’s responsibility to be on time for each class session. We recommend that you plan to be at the proper location at least 30 minutes prior to the start of class.

What do I need to wear for the class?

For the BRC, you will be in the classroom for the 1^st day, so wear whatever you are comfortable in. Proper riding apparel will be discussed in class. If you are taking ABRC or the BRC II class you should also take note of the required clothing and the new helmet requirements noted below.

In order to ride you will need the following (this applies to all classes):
DOT approved helmet. Long sleeve shirt or jacket, sturdy long pants, over-the-ankle NON-canvas foot ware with a low heel, eye protection such as eyeglasses, sunglasses, goggles, full faced helmet equipped with a face shield, and full fingered gloves.

Not recommended:
1) Cowboy-type boots, or
2) Shoes with soles over ½” thick
3) No Women's platform fashion heeled foot ware
For your safety, you will not be allowed to ride if your apparel, as described above, is not appropriate.

If you have your own helmet you are encouraged to use it, but it must meet US Department of Transportation (DOT) standards and be in good condition with all labeling intact. Students who wear their own helmets are encouraged to have a clear face shield (visor). You may borrow a helmet from the training center if the proper size is available.

If you don’t have these items—helmet, gloves or eye protection—the Program can loan you some if available. While we encourage you to use your own, if you do not own your gear prior to class, we encourage you to wait until the classroom discussion regarding protective gear before buying it. In all cases your instructors will make the final judgment.

Can I keep my cell phone or pager on during class and range time?

The Motorcycle Safety Program does not permit the use of these devices except during breaks. During classroom sessions cell phones should be turned off. This is a courtesy and safety issue. We ask that you leave your communication devices in your vehicle while you are on the range. Students using communication devices during class time or on the range will be removed from class.

Who teaches the class?

Instructors who are certified by the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program (MCSP) and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) teach all classes.

LICENSING & TEST RELATED QUESTIONS

Can I get my Motorcycle License?

Yes.
Successful completion of the BRC or the ABRC requires that you pass a written test and a riding test. Individuals who successfully pass both parts will get a Completion Certificate that they must take to a full service MVA office to get the ‘M’ endorsement added to their current license.

If I am active duty military, with an out of state license, what documentation will I receive?

In order to ride on military installations, you must show proof of having successfully completed the BRC. The Maryland Completion Card is considered proof. Individuals who pass both the written and riding portion will get a Maryland Completion Card (the business card sized document) to present to your state agency for approval. You will not receive a Completion Certificate (the letter sized document) unless you are licensed in Maryland.

Is there any guarantee that I will pass the class and get my endorsement?

No.
One of the intentions of rider training is to allow an individual to find out if riding a motorcycle is suitable for them.
If you cannot complete the course or if you fail the course, this may be an indication that motorcycling is not best suited for you.

If I fail a test what do I do?

If you don't pass either the knowledge test or the riding test you will have 30 working days in which to retake the failed portion(s), there is a $25.00 charge to retake the skills portion. A second failure will require that you retake the entire course for the regular fee. You will need to contact the Training Center Manager to schedule the retest. Use this form to register/pay for the Motorcycle Retest .

How Do I become a Motorcycle Safety Instructor?

If you are interested in becoming a Motorcycle Safety Instructor contact the Training Center Manager at 240-567-1864 or via email for more information.

What are the requirements for obtaining my Class M License once I receive my certificate from the course?

Once a student successfully completes all course requirements (BRC or ABRC) and is a Maryland resident they will be issued a Maryland State Completion Certificate. The student may take this Certificate to a full service MVA Office, pay a fee for an eye exam (in addition to any new licensing fees), and a new license will be issued containing the M endorsement. These Certificates expire 6 months after issuance, and cannot be renewed. Students requesting replacement certificates must get authorization from the MVA Program Director of Maryland State Motorcycle Safety Program.

CONTACT RELATED QUESTIONS

What if I still have questions?

For registration information, and to see if there is any space still available in any class, call Montgomery College, Customer Service , at 240-567-5188, or email wdce@montgomerycollege.edu.
For motorcycle-specific information, such as information about class content, or to see which class is the right one for you, contact the training center manager at Motorcycle@montgomerycollege.edu or the motorcycle hotline at 240-567-1864.

Who else offers this course?

The Motorcycle Safety Program has several training centers throughout Maryland.

For a complete listing, visit the MVA at
www.marylandmva.com/MVAProg/moto/register.htm