Submitted by specter666 t3_11doiyp in Pennsylvania
I am moving to Pittsburgh, PA next month and was wondering if CA motorcycle training certificate would be considered valid for getting a motorcycle license in Pennsylvania. Couldn't find answer online, any information would be helpful, thanks!
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You shouldn't have to do anything when you switch licenses. However note, as long as your driver's license is a PA license the MSF course is free (we pay more on license renewal to cover the cost)
I do not have any US motorcycle license yet. I have a CA motorcycle permit and it would be easier for me to complete the CA motorcycle training but I'm not sure if I can use that in PA to get the skills test waiver for license
You can do the MSF course free here (and they give you the skills test at the end), or just come do the skills course. There is no waiver.
I'm not super knowledgeable on the transfer, but if you come to PA and switch your license to PA. You'd be able to get a PA motorcycle permit (easy written test), then take the PA basic riders MSF course for no charge and upon completion have your M endorsement, without a DMV given skills test just the MSF one.
Minor correction: M is a class of license for motorcycle, not an endorsement.
You right, I'm old, I think it used to be an endorsement.
There are I think two different endorsements that apply to Class M licenses and both of them have to do with what type of motorcycle you can ride. One is for three wheel and and one is low horsepower scooters.
If you already have the M endorsement on your license, they just give it to you. I did that when I moved from GA to PA. Just show them your current license and they will add the endorsement.
If you don't already have a motorcycle license, you aren't required to take the safety course. If you want to bypass the skills test at a testing center, you have to go through the PAMSP.
https://www.dmv.pa.gov/Driver-Services/Motorcyclists/PAMSP/Pages/default.aspx
I don't already have any license. I found out that CA also has a similar motorcycle training course, but I'm not sure if I can use that certificate from CA to bypass the skills test in PA
In that case, no. They give you your license at the end of the PA Motorcycle Safety Course, or you can do it through the DMV and do that test. The safety course is free here (or at least was when I did mine), so I’d just do that. Brush up on your skills (never hurts) and it’s frankly easier than the DMV skills test lol.
You either will have a class M1 license from CA that you can transfer to PA while doing your driver's license transfer, or you do not and will have to take the skills test here.
The skills test can be taken separately after obtaining a Class M permit ($10 fee, vision test, written test) and then taking the skills test or by obtaining a Class M permit and taking the BRC1 (MSF) course and passing the skills test at the end of the course.
worstatit t1_jacbf3u wrote
You cannot bypass the skill test in PA with a California certificate. That said, if you can't easily pass the PA skill test, you don't belong on a bike.