How to get your motorcycle license

Almost one year later...

I went for my motorcycle license road test today. I waited a half hour. Surprisingly there was no written part or any barrage of questions. A really nice registry official told me to drive over to a secluded spot behind some commercial strip mall.

He inspected my motorcycle (a 1980 Honda Goldwing). Lights - high beam, front and rear turn signals, brake light and whatever he may have noticed without telling me.
I asked him if he rode and he said no. Hmmm, I guess he only has to know what to look for.

He asked me to demonstrate the hand signals for left turn - right turn and stop or slow down.

The he pointed out a long section of the lot and told me I would drive to the end and during the drive I would shift up a gear then demonstrate the hand signals then downshift and stop. Then turn around and come back toward him shifting up a gear and down a gear and stopping near where he stood.

He then told me that I passed, and warned me to be careful driving.
I didn't kiss him but I was very pleased and shook his hand.
It would have been embarrassing if I'd failed.

Here is a useful acronym: SPIDER
Scan - Predict - Identify - Decide - Execute - Rely (Part of the test)

Here's a tip:
When you start on a hill - use the rear brake to hold position so you can use the throttle more effectively.

Here's a link that's useful.
The manual for Massachusetts.  http://www.mass.gov/rmv/mcmanual/index.htm