Motorcycle Rider Education
Get Ready to Ride!
Our Motorcycle Rider Education program offers courses for every level of motorcyclist – from those who’ve never even sat on a bike to experienced riders wishing to fine-tune their skills. Each program caters to a specific experience level and may meet DMV licensing requirements.
Find The Right Course For You!
Courses are offered during the fall, spring and summer semesters at the Gateway (Middletown), Manchester, Naugatuck Valley (Waterbury), Quinebaug Valley (Danielson) and Tunxis (Farmington) campuses.
CT Basic Rider Course
Do you dream of riding a motorcycle but have little or no experience? Want to get licensed to ride?
Designed for students who don't have a motorcycle operator's license or a motorcycle, the CTBasic Rider course combines traditional classroom instruction and an online self-guided eCourse with hands-on, practical training to prepare you to operate a motorcycle safely and confidently on the road. Each course has a maximum of 12 students, so you're sure to receive the personalized training you need!
Motorcycle will be provided as part of range training.
Commitment
2-3 Days of Training Includes:
- 3-5 Hours-In-Person, Classroom Instruction
- 3-5 Hours-Online Self-Guided eCourse
- 10 Hours of Range Training
- Valid CT driver's license
- Physical ability to operate a motorcycle
- Must be at least 16 years of age
- Able to balance a two-wheeled vehicle (bicycle)
- Access to a computer, printer and internet (student must take and pass the 3+hour eCourse before first class)
- An email address (to obtain the eCourse login link)
- eCourse completion certificate, completed within 30 days before the class start date, MUST be provided to the instructor on the first day of class
- Signed minor waiver form from parent or guardian
Note: Motorcycles will be provided
- Helmet - due to COVID-19 precautions, students must provide their own helmets*
(Full-face, ¾ and half helmets are acceptable if they meet minimum DOT certification)
*Not required at Naugatuck Valley campus - Eye protection
face shield, goggles or glasses - Long-sleeved shirt or jacket
- Full-fingered gloves, leather preferred
- Long, ankle-length pants
denim or other heavy material - Leather boots or leather athletic shoes
over-the-ankle style
We suggest bringing your own snacks and beverages on your riding days. Please arrive well-hydrated and rested.
Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements of the state-approved novice rider course for licensing, leaving only the written test to be taken at the CT Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
CT Basic Rider Course 2-License Waiver
Do you already have riding experience and a motorcycle permit? Ready to get licensed to ride?
Basic Rider Course 2-License Waiver (BRC2-LW) is an intermediate-level course for students who already have some riding experience and a valid motorcycle permit. Successful completion of this course meets the CT requirements for a motorcycle license waiver.
Please note that this is not a learn-to-ride program; this course requires students to use their own motorcycle.
Commitment
1-2 Days of Training Includes:
- 4 Hours-Online Self-Guided eCourse
- One Day, In-Person Training
- Valid CT driver's license
- Able to balance a two-wheeled vehicle (bicycle)
- Physical ability to operate a motorcycle (no straight pipes)
- A minimum of 600 street riding miles or more than six months of riding experience
- Access to a computer and internet (student must take and pass the 4-hour eCourse [BRC2-LW only] before class)
- An email address (to obtain the eCourse login link)
- eCourse completion certificate, completed within 30 days before the class start date, MUST be provided to the instructor on the first day of class
- Signed minor waiver form from parent or guardian from any participant under 18 or completed adult waiver form if over 18
Successful completion of this course fulfills the requirements of the state-approved novice rider course for licensing, leaving only the written test to be taken at the CT Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Register For A Motorcycle Rider Course
Courses are offered during the fall, spring and summer semesters at the Gateway (Middletown), Manchester, Naugatuck Valley (Waterbury), Quinebaug Valley (Danielson) and Tunxis (Farmington) campuses.
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Submit Your Inquiry
- Complete the Motorcycle Course Inquiry and Scheduling Form at the campus of your choosing.
- Select 2–3 preferred course sections to increase your chances of placement.
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Application and Approval
- After your inquiry is processed (1 business day) you'll receive an email with an application link.
- Check your email regularly (including Spam/Junk folders) for messages from @ctstate.edu.
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Payment and Verification
- Once your application is approved, you'll get a Payment Request email.
- Submit payment online as instructed.
- After payment is verified, you'll receive a link to the MSF E-Course.
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Complete the eCourse
The online eCourse is required before attending on-campus riding sessions. Bring a printed Completion Certificate to your first class. No certificate = No participation in the riding portion of the course.
IMPORTANT! NO EXCEPTIONS.
ALL sessions must be attended. There are no exceptions. Students who are LATE or MISS a class will be unable to complete the course.
NO REFUND POLICY
Once registered, enrollment is final and cannot be refunded or switched to a different course. Refunds are not issued unless a course is canceled.
Motorcycle Course Inquiry and Scheduling Forms
Questions?
Our staff is here to help! Contact the campus where you plan to take your motorcycle course with any questions.
- Gateway: GW-MotorcycleHelp@ctstate.edu
- Manchester: MA-MotorcycleHelp@ctstate.edu
- Naugatuck Valley: Nv-motorcyclehelp@ctstate.edu
- Quinebaug Valley: QV-_Motorcycle@ctstate.edu
- Tunxis: tx-motorcycle-tunxis@ctstate.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Motorcycle training courses require a different registration form than other Workforce Development/Continuing Education courses.
Courses are enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis; therefore, you should select three possible classes – a primary class and two alternates in case your first preference is full. Make sure all dates fit your schedule. Confirmation of the course you can enroll in will be emailed to you. If registering with a friend, all registrations must be requested to be grouped together, including the full name, email address and contact number of all additional participants.
All motorcycle courses require a valid CT driver's license and the ability to balance a two-wheeled vehicle (bicycle). Specific admission requirements vary based on the course and canbe seen on each course’s program page.
- Basic Rider: $260
- BRC W2-LW: $150
- Semiprivate: $425
- Private: $850
Earn your Connecticut motorcycle endorsement (M) through our certified training programs. We provide courses for all levels, including the BRC for beginners and the BRC2 License Waiver for intermediate riders (minimum 600 miles of experience). CT State Motorcycle courses qualify for the state licensing waiver. We will provide full documentation and DMV instructions at the end of your session.
Payment is due immediately following enrollment. Please check your inbox for an emailcontaining your next steps. All payments must be submitted online, and processing typicallytakes two business days.
Courses generally include in-person riding and training, and a self-paced online eCourse that must be completed any time in the month before class. Class dates and times may be split indifferent ways depending on when and where they’re offered.
Basic Rider Course (BRC)Sample Schedule:
- 5-hour mandatory eCourse at home
- Classroom and On-cycle: Saturday: 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.
- Classroom and On-cycle: Sunday: 8 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Instructional time: Five hours of online self-guided eCourse and 11 hours of range training.
Successful completion of the BRC course requires: (1) completing all course assignments, (2)attending all sessions, (3) passing a knowledge test and (4) passing an on-motorcycle skill test that consists of exercises from the course.
Basic Rider Course 2 License Waiver (BRC2-LW) Sample Schedule:
- 4-hour eCourse requirement to be completed before class
- On-cycle: In person: 8 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Instructional time: Four hours online eCourse, six hours range training.
Successful completion of the BRC2-LW course requires taking part in all BRC2-LW activities and skill assessments.
Each course has different rules about this that are included on the program pages and must be followed. For the Basic Riding course, students must ride a state-issued motorcycle unless otherwise noted. Motorcycles are provided for student use during this course. Students enrolled in the Intermediate Rider course may be required to use their own fully insured and registered street-legal motorcycle with a capacity of 50cc to 500cc. Some courses may give you the option to use either your own motorcycle or one of the provided bikes. If you douse your own motorcycle, proof of registration and insurance must be provided and the motorcycle must be in good operating condition. If any of these conditions are not met, you will be required to ride the school's motorcycle.
The online eCourse is a key component for all courses and must be completed before the first in-person class. Graphics and videos illustrate the lessons to help you understand the principles of motorcycling. Students cannot complete the class and earn their motorcycle endorsement without completing the eCourse. There is a Spanish language option.
To complete the online eCourse requirements in each of these courses, you must have internet access via a computer or mobile device. The link for the mandatory eCourse will be in your confirmation email shortly after registration and payment are completed.
You do not have to complete the entire course in one sitting. You can leave and come back as often as you wish. The program will pick up where you left off.
For the Basic Rider course, no, our trained instructors will guide you through the entire process. You will be introduced to the motorcycle and all its controls, learn basic skills and enjoy the thrill of the ride to come. Other courses have requirements as to how much experience you need to participate.
Riding a motorcycle requires a sense of balance and coordination. Students who can ride a bicycle have demonstrated the minimum ability necessary to balance a motorcycle.
No. Attendance in the classroom and at riding sessions is tightly scheduled. If a class or riding session is missed, you must re-register for another class and pay the full fee again.
To complete a motorcycling course, you must complete the online eCourse, the classroom sessions, the riding sessions and pass a riding skills test and a written knowledge test.
Yes, however, you will need to register for another class and pay the full fee again.
No. Classes are held rain or shine. If rain is in the forecast, please be sure to bring appropriate rain gear.
The Connecticut Motorcycle Rider Education program is a statewide program directed by the Connecticut Department of Transportation and hosted by the Connecticut State Workforce Development department. The Basic Rider or Intermediate Rider courses are mandated for a rider to obtain a motorcycle operator endorsement for their Connecticut driver's license.