San Francisco BEGINNING AND ADVANCED CLASSES

We are the only school within San Francisco city limits that provides Total Control's advanced motorcycle classes and the DMV waiver to graduates of our beginning motorcycle class

Register for a beginning class in San Francisco

Beginning classes

The curriculum for our beginning class is approved and recommended by the California Highway Patrol for learning how to ride, and is designed for students that have not even sat on a motorcycle before

Passing this class lets you skip the DMV's riding test and is required for anyone under 21 years.  Motorcycles and helmets are provided. The cost is $258 if you are over 21 years old, or $180 if you are younger than 21 years old.  

You are responsible for getting yourself to and from each session. To sign up for a beginning class choose any Motorcyclist Training Clinic(MTC) on the registration page. Beginning classes are offered at all 3 of our sites in San Francisco, the East Bay or Vallejo

Though designed for new riders, even experienced riders will benefit from this clinic. Motorcycles and helmets are provided in this course.  Scroll to the bottom of this page to see all of the requirements.  Some insurance companies and motorcycle shops offer discounts to our graduates. All 2 and 3 day beginning classes finish within one week and will provide the DMV waiver if you pass

3 Day Class Schedule

First Classroom
Weeknight evening 5:45 pm - 9:30 pm

First Riding Session
Saturday morning 6:30 am - 11:45 am

Second Classroom
Saturday afternoon 12:45 pm - 4 pm

Second Riding Session
Sunday morning 6:30 am - 11:45 am

2 Day Class Schedule

First Classroom
Saturday 6:30 am - 11:00 am

First Riding Session
Saturday 11:45 am - 5:00 pm

Second Classroom
Sunday 6:30 am - 11:00 am

Second Riding Session
Sunday 11:45 am - 5:00 pm

ONLY WEEKEND CLASSES ARE OFFERED IN SF, WEEKDAY CLASSES ARE OFFERED IN VALLEJO

Register for a beginning class in San Francisco
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Classroom location

3999 Mission Street
(@ Murray/Bosworth):
https://goo.gl/maps/3XDDztwX2HB2
 
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Riding sessions

The riding sessions are held in City College's Lower Balboa parking lot off of Frida Kahlo Way/Phelan Ave.(near Ocean) in what is left of the Balboa Water Reservoir, and so does not have an address and is NOT VISIBLE FROM THE STREET.
To make sure you are able to find the only driveway that will take you down to our check in area it even when it is foggy and/or dark, consult the map or use this link:

REQUIREMENTS FOR BEGINNING CLASSES SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR THE LIST OF GEAR, ATTENDANCE, STUDY AND TEST REQUIREMENTS

BRING TO ALL CLASSROOM AND RIDING SESSIONS

Valid, government-issued photo ID to all sessions.  You will be dropped from the class and have to pay $100 to come back as a standby student if you come to any session without:

  • IDENTIFICATION(ID): you do not need a driver’s license or permit to take this class. You only need to be at least 15.5 years old, and have a valid, government- issued photo ID of any kind. It does not matter what government issued it, or if it allows you to drive. If your ID does not meet these requirements and/or if you bring a different one than you presented at your other sessions you will not be let into class or you will be dropped from the class and will have to pay a $100 fee to return as a drop in/standby student.  To indicate an ID that is from another country or that is not a driver's license enter ff where you would put usually indicate the state(ex: CA for California, TX for Texas)
    • MINORS MUST PRING A PARENT/GUARDIAN: If you are under 18, in addition to following all of the other rules, your parent/guardian MUST:
      • attend the first classroom with you until you are checked in
      • also bring their valid, government- issued photo ID
      • sign the minor waiver in front of the instructor

BRING TO BOTH RIDING SESSIONS

If you come to any riding session without the following you will be dropped from the class and have to pay $100 to come back as a standby student:

  • BOOTS: Sturdy over-the-ankle footwear that provides ankle support/reinforcement/padding is required. Most laced and tied hiking boots or high tops will do as long as they are laced up the way the manufacturer intended in to order to provide ankle support. High tops or boots that merely cover the ankle but do not provide ankle support(ex: Chuck Taylor high tops) will NOT be accepted.  Motorcycle-specific footwear is highly recommended, but must meet the above requirements
  • LONG SLEEVED SHIRT/JACKET: A motorcycle-specific jacket is recommended but is not always practical if it is too hot, so bring layers that allow no skin/ wrists showing when seated on the motorcycle and arms outstretched to ride.
  • DURABLE PANTS: Long, non-flared, durable pants without any rips or holes is required. Jeans made out of denim are acceptable, but stretch pants or stretch fabric (including 'jeggings') are not. Pants must cover all of the leg when seated on the motorcycle with feet up on the foot pegs - no skin/socks, etc. showing.
  • GLOVES: Full- fingered gloves of a durable material are required. Many motorcycle shops carry very reasonably priced street- specific motorcycle gloves, but full- fingered leather work gloves are acceptable and can usually be found very cheap at any hardware store. Off- road motorcycle gloves, leather dress gloves, ski gloves, and work gloves of material other or that are not durable will NOT be accepted
  • RAIN GEAR: We do NOT cancel for rain. It is surprising how cold you can get even at the low speeds you will be riding in our course, and hard it can be to do even the most basic maneuvers when your teeth are chattering, so come prepared if rain and/or cold weather is expected
  • HELMETS are required gear and are provided by us, so you do not need to provide one.  You may bring your own DOT full- face helmet if you like, but if the instructor cannot verify that it meets our needs you will have to use one of ours.  We do not allow helmets that are not full- face for our beginning classes.  We strongly recommend you wait until after you take the class so you may make an educated decision about which kind of helmet is best for you, as a good helmet can be a very expensive investment
  • EYE PROTECTION: Must be shatter-resistant. Prescription glasses or sunglasses will suffice, but eye protection other than the face shield on a full face helmet is not necessary

ATTEND

All sessions in their entirety

You must attend all classes/sessions in full and in order. You will be dropped from the class and have to pay $100 to come back as a standby student if you:

-are late for a session(have everything you need to ride in- hand when you check in to your riding sessions or you will be considered late)

-are coming back late from a break

-leave early. End times are approximate and your class may go longer than expected, depending upon weather, number of questions, and many other variables. It is unusual to go over the time allotted, but if it does happen we still cannot pass you if you miss any portion of the class, no matter how good the reason you must leave or how well you are doing. Do not make appointments that you must leave for that take place immediately after your session is expected to end

-choose to leave and/or the instructor asks you to leave for any reason, including your being:

  • unprepared
  • unsafe(on purpose or otherwise)
  • unable to follow directions
  • argumentative
  • the instructor believes you are impaired/intoxicated in any manner with any drug, including alcohol or any other legal, illegal, prescription or over- thecounter substance(s)

READ

To get the most out of your class and be prepared for the test(s), study both:

  • Read and sign our waiver.  A copy will come with your confirmation letter
  • MTC Student Handbook.  A copy will come with your confirmation letter and is available in Spanish
  • DMV Motorcycle Handbook. A copy will come with your confirmation letter and is available in Spanish

Some of the test questions will be from the DMV Drivers handbook, so make sure to study that also, especially if you do not already have your Califonia driver’s license. Not all of the questions on the written test are presented in the classroom, so be prepared by studying both.

PASS

  • A written test is given at the end of the second classroom session
  • The riding test is given at the end of the second riding session

If you do not pass the written or riding test(s) we are allowed to let you retake it once.  If you do not pass or do not finish your class for any reason you will receive an email explaining how to come back

WHAT TOPICS WILL BE COVERED?

Topics covered include fear, understanding how motorcycles turn, proper cornering strategies, and emergency crash avoidance skills. The course is based on the most current research in rider safety and utilizes modern training methods

Risk and Impairments:

Learn about the challenges and risks involved in riding a motorcycle, all backed-up by the most recent research on road safety.

We will also cover how drugs, alcohol, bad judgement and many other factors can impair your safety on the road.

Mental Motorcycling:

Learn how fear, concentration and awareness can affect you everyday riding.

Also learn about SIPDE, the mental strategy to achieve awareness of your surroundings and make proper decisions on the road.

Protective gear:

Wearing only a helmet is not enough. Learn how using all the proper safety gear while riding can improve not only your safety but also enhance your concentration and comfort during every ride.

Basic Operation:

Learn the basic controls and skills necessary to operate and safely ride a motorcycle on public roads.

Riding in Traffic:

Learn the challenges, risks and strategies to safely navigate your way through roads where other vehicles are present.

Confident Cornering:

Learn the challenges, risks and strategies to safely navigate your way through roads where other vehicles are present.

Evasive Maneuvers:

Learn how to achieve quick stops and swerve around obstacles you may encounter during your everyday riding.

Special Situations:

Learn how to achieve quick stops and swerve around obstacles you may encounter during your everyday riding.

GRADUATES WILL RECEIVE

  • A completion card.  Many motorcycle shops and insurance companies will give discounts if you show them proof you have successfully completed a state program.  For this reason we recommend you wait until after you graduate to spend a lot on gear or to buy a motorcycle
  • A DL389, the form required by the DMV in order to waive the riding portion of the motorcycle licensing test

STUDENTS UNDER 21

Your discount will automatically be calculated when you register

It is recommended that you take your DL 389 to the DMV immediately since the State of California requires that you to have a permit for at least six months before you are eligible to be issued a motorcycle license

While you will need to show your DL389 to the DMV to get your permit you should NOT let the DMV keep it, as you will need to give it to them in order to acquire your license.  If you have any problems with the DMV insisting that they keep your DL389 when you are getting your permit, please call us at 888.744.2268 immediately

MILITARY STUDENTS

If you are in the military you may need an advanced class instead of the beginning class, or you may need a class we do not offer. If you need to fulfill a military requirement please call or email the office so we can make sure you to find out which class you need, as each branch of the military has different requirements

REFUND POLICY

  • There is no guarantee you will pass the class
  • There will be no refunds if you do not pass, do not show up to the first class for any reason, or are dropped for not following all of the requirements
  • Classes must be taken in order, so if you miss any class or any portion of a class for any reason, you must come back for a fee as a standby student
  • You will be dropped from the class and required to come back as a standby student for an additional cost if you:
    • are late for class or miss any portion of the classroom or the riding range (including coming back late from a break)
    • are not able to present a valid, government issued photo ID to every session and/or if you do not bring the same ID to every session
    • are a minor and arrive at the first classroom without a parent or legal guardian and/or that guardian does not have a valid, government- issued photo ID with them
    • check in at the riding range without the required riding gear
  • You will be dropped from the class and will forfeit any tuition or any other fees if any BAMT employee believes you are under the influence of any drug, including alcohol or any other legal, illegal, prescription or over- the- counter substance(s)
  • Cancellation must be made via email to office@motorcycleschool.com at least 7 business days before your reserved class starts. There is a 15% cancellation fee regardless of when you cancel
  • Cancellation within 7 business days is considered a voluntary withdrawal, for which there is NO refund