Welcome to the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center
The MMSC is Minnesota’s one-stop shop for rider training information, public information and educational materials, testing and licensing information, and riding tips.
No matter where you’re from--Minnesota, the United States, or anywhere else in the world--if you’re interested in learning about motorcycle safety, you’ve come to the right place.
Quick Links: 2010 Motorcycle Safety Conference
Get Your Motorcycle License!
Find a Motorcycle Course
Scooter and Moped Information
Tired of other drivers pulling out in front of you? Cutting you off? Surprising you with their last-minute decisions? GO HIGH-VIZ!
Click here for techniques and strategies to make yourself more visible to other drivers.
What's New?
The MMSC has joined Facebook®! Sign up as a fan and receive MMSC updates. Click here.
The Motorcycle Safety Conference returns! Catch all the seminars the MMSC has to offer on February 27, 2010 at Saint Paul College. Click here for more information.
The 2010 Motorcycle and Scooter Rider Resource Guide is now available for download. Click here (PDF 500K) to download. Look for printed versions at your local dealer or exam station in the spring, or at the International Motorcycle Show February 5-7.
How are your visual skills?
FREE REFLECTIVE DECAL Click here to find out how to get a free, 3x6" retro-reflective decal from the MMSC.
Rider Training Program
The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center offers a system of integrated training courses for riders of all skill and experience levels. The MMSC recommends that all riders participate in at least one rider training course per year for the first three years, and at least one course every two years after that.Basic Rider Training Courses
The Basic Rider Course (BRC) is designed with the beginner in mind, but is a challenge even to experienced riders. The course includes both classroom and on-cycle instruction, with high-quality, personalized coaching and several hours of practice riding. Training motorcycles are provided Riders 18 and older with a motorcycle instruction permit can earn their motorcycle license. Introduction to a Motorcycle and BRC Refresher courses are also available. Click here to learn more.
Advanced Motorcycle Training
Whether they’ve been riding for one year or twenty, riders need to keep learning. That’s where the ERC Skills Plus comes in. Riders hone their mental strategies to a razor-sharp edge and practice advanced motorcycle handling skills on their own bikes. Click here to learn more.Sidecar and Trike Training
Advanced training is available to riders of 3-wheeled motorcycles. Click here to learn more.
Civilian Motor-Officer Training
New! A 1-day, advanced course based on police motor-officer training techniques. Learn the secrets of the pros! Click here to learn more.
To ride safely, moped riders need the same mental strategies a motorcyclist needs. This course is a benefit to anyone who wants to ride on two wheels.
Click here to learn more.
Rider Education Seminars
The MMSC offers the Street Smarts, Seasoned (40+) Rider, Group Riding, and Basic Motorcycle Maintenance seminars to riders of all skill level and ability. These seminars are ideal for motorcycle clubs and private groups.
$$$ Discounts for Course Graduates $$$
Many dealerships, shops, and insurance companies offer discounts to Basic Rider Course and ERC Skills Plus graduates. Select businesses and organizations also provide financial aid/reimbursement for rider training. To see the current list, click here.
Rider Coach (Instructor) Recruitment
Our instructors are dedicated motorcyclists who want to give something back to motorcycling. To be certified to teach in Minnesota, instructors must meet specific criteria and successfully complete an extensive training program. Click here to learn more.
Rider Testing and Licensing
You must be properly licensed to legally operate a motorcycle on Minnesota roads. Penalties for riding without a motorcycle endorsement or instruction permit include up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, and having the motorcycle towed and impounded.
You can earn your endorsement by having a valid Minnesota driver's license, passing the motorcycle permit test at a state exam station and then 1) passing the skill test at a state exam station or 2) successful completion of the MMSC Basic Rider Course. Click here to learn about the motorcycle endorsement process.
Wisconsin residents who successfully complete the BRC can also earn their endorsement.
Special Evening Testing Hours--Motorcyclists Only!
At participating locations, examiners stay late one night a week to help get riders licensed. Click here to learn more.
Motorcyclist and Motorist Education
The current campaign focuses on rider conspicuity. Riders can take control of their environment by making themselves as visible (conspicuous) as possible. This will reduce the number of surprises they face every day and help them avoid getting blindsided by someone else’s last-minute decision. To learn about the campaign objectives, strategies, and tactics, click here.
Click here for techniques and strategies to make yourself more visible to other drivers at the campaign Web site HighViz.org.
The MMSC Web site has a one-of-a-kind resource for information, advice, and tips on how to ride safely. Visitors can ask questions of instructors, learn about sharing the road, take motorcycle knowledge quizzes for fun or for use in driver education classes, or research laws and regulations for motorcycle riders. Topics include riding strategy, protective gear, good riding habits, braking, cornering, lifting a motorcycle, carrying passengers, group riding, touring, and more. Click here to check it out. Photo courtesy killboy.com
PR Activites and MaterialsPromotional and educational materials are available to Minnesota residents free. Click here for a comprehensive list of what is available.
Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Advisory Committee
This committee is a citizen’s advisory group established to advise and provide input to the State of Minnesota on motorcycle safety issues. The committee works closely with the MMSC and makes recommendations in areas such as rider training and education, public relations activities, legislation, and new laws or policies that affect motorcycle safety. The Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety appoints new members every year. Click here to learn more.
Online Training for Law Enforcement
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's "Detection of DWI Motorcyclists" information is now available as a Web-based presentation. Law enforcement officers can learn about how DWI riders are different from other vehicle drivers, and learn the 14 cues to detect an impaired rider.
Click here to view the presentation. This seminar is eligible for 2 hours POST credit for agencies that wish to have the presentation given to their staff in-house. Contact Pat Hahn to schedule a presentation for your agency.
*The MMSC is committed to reducing motorcycle crashes, injuries, and fatalities. Funding for this project comes from motorcycle licenses, instruction permits, and course tuition fees. The combined efforts of the MMSC, Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU), Driver and Vehicle Services (a division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety), and community and corporate sponsors make the MMSC one of the most comprehensive motorcycle safety programs in the U.S.
Last Updated 2/8/2010
