MSF Basic RiderCourse

COURSE NUMBER: TRAN8101

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is approved for use by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HIDOT) for Motorcycle Rider Education. Upon successful completion of the course, qualified students who hold a State of Hawaii Class 2 Permit will be issued a licensing waiver.

Course Schedule

Online registration is for debit/credit card purchase only. For other payments, use Standard Registration.

Click on a course section to see dates and to add to your cart. Course details and schedules are subject to change without prior notice. For future course schedules, you may also contact our office. View “contact and information” section in the Course Details.

Course Details

The MSF Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is designed for beginning riders, ages 16 and up. The BRC includes a 3-hour e-course (completed prior to course start), 5 hours of in-person classroom, and 10 hours of training on a motorcycle, over two days. You will learn about the different types of motorcycles, layout and operation of the basic controls, and how to become a safe and responsible rider. Your MSF-certified RiderCoach will guide you through the basic skills of straight-line riding, stopping, shifting, and turning, gradually progressing to swerving and emergency braking.

  1. Course participants must be able to balance a two-wheel vehicle, such as a bicycle, before beginning the on-cycle lessons.  The course is not designed to teach someone to balance a single-track, two-wheel motorcycle.
  2. It is recommended that participants possess either a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit to ensure they have knowledge of basic rules of the road, such as the meaning of traffic signs, as well as an overall awareness of traffic regulations as set forth in the state’s motor vehicle code.
  3. Course participants must be of legal age to operate a motor vehicle on the state’s roads and highways.
  4. To obtain a motorcycle permit, you’ll need to take the written permit test at the DMV.  Register for a DMV appointment at https://alohaq.honolulu.gov.
  5. If you are under 5’, we recommend you make an appointment to come in to confirm we have a motorcycle to fit your height.
  6. Participants under the age of 18:
    • Minor must must hold a valid Hawai‘i motorcycle permit at least 180 days prior to receiving the DMV Skills Test Waiver. (HRS 286-102.6 (a))
    • A parent/guardian must sign the enrollment application form.
    • A parent/guardian must be present on the first day of class to sign the Risk and Release waiver for the minor.
    • After completion:
      • You will be given a log sheet on which your parent/guardian shall log your riding hours (40 hours minimum).  When complete, the parent/guardian shall have the form notarized. You must have completed the classroom portion of the State of Hawaii recognized driver education program (yellow form), or already have a driving license. 
      • Bring the following documents to the OWD Office, CE-101, to receive skills test waiver:
        • Driver education classroom completion card (yellow form), or driver’s license
        • Notarized riding log
        • Learner’s permit
        • MSF course completion card

1. Do I Need to obtain a motorcycle learners permit before attending the course?

  • For those who hold a State of Hawai‘i driving license or intend to transfer their current license to a State of Hawai‘i license: Hawai‘i Revised Statutes HRS 286-110 (c) requires a motorcycle permit prior to taking the state approved driver training in order to receive a State of Hawai‘I DMV Riding Skills Test Waiver upon course completion.  However, if a course participant does not yet have a motorcycle permit when they complete the BRC, they will have 90 days from the date of course completion to show the permit and receive their DMV Skills Test Waiver.  NOTE:  These waivers are valid for 90 days from the day of course completion, NO EXCEPTIONS.
  • For those who hold a valid driving license in a state other than Hawai‘i, and do not intend to transfer their license to Hawai‘i, you are not required to obtain a learner’s permit. However, you will not be eligible for a licensing waiver after completion of the course.  You will receive a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course completion card.

2. Do I need my own motorcycle?

  • No, the university provides training motorcycles for student use.

3. Do I have to know how to ride a motorcycle?

  • No, however you must be able to ride a bicycle in order to learn and accomplish the objectives of the BRC.

4. What happens if I am unable to complete the course?

  • If you are not able to advance you may discontinue the skills exercises at any time.  For your safety, and the safety of others, you may be dismissed from attempting further exercises. No credit or refund will be issued for failure to meet minimum objectives.

5. What happens if I do not complete or pass the course?

  • Students who fully complete the BRC, pass the knowledge test, but do not pass the skills evaluation are eligible to take the RECYCLE class.  This class is riding only.  We offer the RECYCLE class about once a quarter.
  • Students who self-dismiss or are instructor dismissed from the class must retake the entire course.
  • Students who do not attend all course sessions are considered self-dismissed and not eligible for a refund or reschedule.
  • Students who arrive after the course start time are considered no-shows and not eligible for a refund or reschedule.

6. How much does it cost?

  • $280, effective January 1, 2025
  • Refund/reschedule policy 
  • If using a tuition voucher from Cycle City, note that you cannot request a transfer to another course date.
  • Tuitions are non-transferable.

7. How do I register for the BRC?

  • Registration online with a credit card payment or in person at the office (CE-101) during our regular office hours. (8am-12pm, Monday through Friday, and 1pm to 4 pm, Monday and Wednesday.)  Payment by credit card cannot be made over the phone.
  • If paying tuition using a voucher from Cycle City, complete a non-credit registration form and email it with a copy of your voucher to workdev@hawaii.edu. The registration staff will complete the registration process.
  • You may also mail in a check or money order with the non-credit registration form to:
    Leeward Community College, OWD
    96-045 Ala ‘Ike, CE-101
    Pearl City, HI  96782

8. What happens after I register?

  • If you register by mail or email, you will receive a receipt in the mail along with a list of what to bring and a campus map.
  • If you register online, you will receive an email confirmation and an attachment of your receipt with a list of what to bring and a campus map.

9. What happens during class?

  • Approximately 30 days from your scheduled course, you will receive an email with instructions for completing the eCourse.
  • The class is an intensive course designed to prepare you for riding on the street. It consists of both classroom and on-motorcycle skills training.

10. How long are the classes?

  • Total instruction time is 15 hours plus a 3-hour e-course, over two days.

11. What kind of gear do I need to bring?

  • Helmet – DOT, SNELL, or ECE (novelty helmets not permitted)
  • Full-finger gloves, sturdy fabric, leather preferred
  • Long-sleeve shirt – must reach wrists and cover torso
  • Sturdy long pants – no athletic or yoga pants; no holes or tears in pants
  • Sturdy over-the-ankle boots laced to the top, heels less than 2”. (Boot soles with deep treads or steel toes will make shifting difficult.)
  • Eye protection – Eyes must be covered at all times while riding using a face shield, goggles, or glasses.
  • Suggested items for comfort on the range:  sunscreen, water, snacks, rain jacket (just in case)

12. Enrollment and tuition are NON-TRANSFERABLE

Motorcycle program contact information:

Email:  mtrcycle@hawaii.edu

Phone:  (808) 454-4746

Registration assistance:

Email:  workdev@hawaii.edu

Phone:  (808) 455-0477

Fax:  (808) 453-6730