Vermont Casting 2008 User Manual

2008

VERMONT

MOTORCYCLE

LICENSING GUIDE AND

OPERATOR’S MANUAL

VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES

AND

THE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY FOUNDATION

TA-VN-07a (d) INTERNET 8/07 JTB

A MESSAGE FROM

THE COMMISSIONER OF MOTOR VEHICLES

The motorcycle is a popular and powerful machine which demands skill
and attention. As motorcyclists we must exercise extra caution in
preparing to ride and while riding. The motorcyclist is exposed
throughout the entire ride and is subjected to the hazards of weather, road
conditions and the actions of other drivers.

This manual will help you become a more knowledgeable rider, make
you aware of your limits and those of your motorcycle and increase your
safety awareness.

To learn to be a safe, defensive driver I would encourage all riders,
especially beginners and those riders who haven’t ridden in some time, to
take the State-sponsored Vermont Rider Education Program (VREP).
VREP is a 20-hour comprehensive rider-training program designed to
teach the basic skills necessary for safe motorcycle operation. VREP also
has a program for advanced or experienced riders. This course will help
build upon your experience and hone skills that you may already have.
Both programs follow nationally recognized safety and training standards
and involve both classroom and on-cycle training. Upon successful
completion of the 20-hour course, the DMV skills test is waived and a
motorcycle endorsement is provided by the Department. For course
information please call 1-800-529-2535 (In Vermont only).

Bonnie Rutledge
Commissioner

The Department of Motor Vehicles does not discriminate against

individuals with disabilities in the provision of services, programs,

activities or employment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

23 V.S.A. §202 and §203 1
Vermont State Holidays 3
Motorcycle Examination Locations 4
Do I Need An Appointment 5
Motorcycle Rider Training Program 6
Motorcycle Awareness Classroom Training 8
Liability Insurance Requirements 8

Part I

How to Obtain a Motorcycle Learner Permit 9
How to Obtain a Motorcycle Endorsement 10
How to Obtain a 3-Wheeled Motorcycle Endorsement 11
Motorcycles and Mopeds Defined 11
Vermont Regulations 12
Hand Signals 12
Motorcycle Care and Maintenance 13
Annual Inspection 14
Vermont Motorcycle Skills Tests 15
General Information – Skills Tests 17
Test Course Layout – Illustration 18
Illustration A – Run #1 19
Illustration B – Run #2 20
Illustration C – Run #3 21
Illustration D – Run #4 22
Alternate Motorcycle Operator Skills Test – Score Sheet 23
Eye and Face Protection (Clarification) 24
Helmet Required in Vermont 24
A Reminder – Deer and Moose on Vermont Highways 25

Part II

MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR MANUAL – from the “Motorcycle
Safety Foundation”

y 23 V.S.A. §202 - Impersonating another in an application, or

aiding an applicant by false representation.

A person who falsely impersonates another in an application for
operator license or learner permit, or in an application for a non­driver identification card, or in an application for motor vehicle
registration, all terrain vehicle, snowmobile or motorboat
registration, or vessel validation, or who obtains a learner permit or
non-driver identification card by false representation, or who obtains
a motor vehicle registration or a registration for any other type of
vehicle or vessel by false representation, or who uses an assumed
name or name not his or her own in an application for operator's
license, or learner permit or in an application for non-driver
identification card, or in an application for motor vehicle registration,
or registration for any other type vehicle or vessel, or who knowingly
aids an applicant in obtaining such a license, permit, registration or
non-driver identification card by false representation as to the age or
identity of such applicant, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or
imprisoned not more than two years, or both and shall have his or her
privilege to operate suspended for 90 days.

y 23 VSA §203 ~ Counterfeiting or Misusing Number Plates,

Registration Certificates or Operating License.

(a) A person shall not:

(1) Counterfeit or cause to be counterfeited or have in his or her

possession any counterfeit number plate, validating sticker,
marker, inspection sticker, registration certificate, learner's
permit, nondriver identification card, insurance
identification card, or operator license, or alter or have in
his or her possession any altered number plate or marker; or

(2) Display or cause or permit to be displayed, or have in his or

her possession, any fictitious or fraudulently altered
operator license, learner's permit, nondriver identification
card or registration certificate, or display for any fraudulent
purpose, an expired or counterfeit insurance identification
card or similar document; or

(3) Lend his or her operator license to any other person or

knowingly permit the use thereof by another; or

Part I - 1

(4) Display or represent as his or her own any operator license,

permit or nondriver identification card not issued to him or
her; or

(5) Permit any unlawful use of an operator license, permit or

nondriver identification card issued to him or her by the
commissioner; or

(6) Obtain or attempt to obtain a registration plate, validation

sticker, registration certificate, operator's license, learner's
permit, nondriver identification card, or duplicate copy of
any of such documents by the use of fraudulently obtained,
fictitious, or altered identity documents or by the use of
identity documents not his or her own; or

(7) Lend his or her identity documents to aid an applicant in his

or her attempt to fraudulently obtain or actually obtain a
registration plate, validation sticker, registration certificate,
operator's license, learner's permit, nondriver identification
card or duplicate copy of such documents.

(b) Upon conviction for a violation of subsection (a) of this section,

the person's privilege to operate motor vehicles shall be
suspended for 60 days.

Part I - 2

VERMONT STATE HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 3rd Monday in January
Washington's Birthday 3rd Monday in February
Town Meeting Day 1st Tuesday in March
Memorial Day Last Monday in May
Independence Day July 4
Bennington Battle Day August 16
Labor Day 1st Monday in September
Veterans' Day November 11
Thanksgiving Day 4th Thursday in November

Day After Thanksgiving

State offices are usually closed the
day after Thanksgiving.

Christmas Day December 25

Any legal holiday which falls on a Saturday shall be observed on the
preceding Friday. Any legal holiday which falls on a Sunday shall be
observed on the following Monday.

At times only one individual may staff our offices. The examiner may
not always be present due to road testing. Please be patient. The
examiner will assist you as soon as possible.

On occasion it may be necessary to cancel or postpone driver testing due
to poor road conditions. Call Central Scheduling at 802-828-2085 for
information and to reschedule, if necessary.

Part I - 3

MOTORCYCLE EXAMINATION LOCATIONS

You should take the test at the testing office nearest your home.

The telephone number for scheduling appointments at all locations is:

802-828-2085 (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

For general information please call: 802-828-2000

Telecommunications Relay Service TTY/TDD: 800-253-0191

Bennington

215 North Street
Monday – Friday
7:45 a.m. – 4:00
p.m.

Newport
100 Main Street
Monday – Friday
7:45 a.m. – 4:00
p.m.

DMV operates two mobile units that make scheduled visits in the
following communities:

Dummerston St. Albans
Middlebury St. Johnsbury

(Cash is not accepted at the mobile office locations.)

For further information relative to dates, times and a list of services the
mobile units provide, please call 802-828-2000 or check the Vermont
DMV website at: www.dmv.state.vt.us

Burlington

State Office Complex
1193 North Avenue
Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday & Friday
7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday 7:45 p.m.
– 6:00 p.m.

Rutland

State Office Complex
101 State Place
Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday & Friday
7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday 7:45 p.m.
– 6:00 p.m.

MOBILE UNITS

White River Junction

Montpelier

120 State Street
Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday & Friday
7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday 7:45 p.m.
– 6:00 p.m.

Springfield

100 Mineral Street,
Suite 103
Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday & Friday
7:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday 7:45 p.m.
– 6:00 p.m.

Part I - 4

SKILLS TESTS

Skills Tests are given at the following locations:

Bennington - State Office Complex, 215 North Street
Colchester - AOT Garage, Barnes Ave., Fort Ethan Allen
Montpelier - AOT Site, Industrial Lane, Berlin, VT
Rutland - State Office Complex, 101 State Place
St. Johnsbury - State Office Building, Route 5
Springfield - State Office Building, 266 River Street

Motorcycle examination dates and times are determined by demand.
Location of the skills test may be subject to change. Testing is usually
conducted April through October, weather permitting. Skills tests are not
available from the first of November through the end of March.

DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT?

The Department of Motor Vehicles recommends that each person
applying for a Motorcycle Learner Permit or motorcycle endorsement
make an appointment. Making an appointment ensures that you will
receive service in the least amount of time possible.

If you choose not to make an appointment, when you appear at the
examination office you will be processed as a "walk-in". This means that
all persons with appointments will be serviced first. If, after all
appointments are done, there is sufficient time to administer the test you
want, you will be tested. Motorcycle SKILLS TESTS are administered
ONLY on certain days at the examination offices listed on the previous
page. You will be able to apply for a skills test as a "walk-in" ONLY on
the days the skills test is offered.

Part I - 5

MOTORCYCLE RIDER TRAINING PROGRAM

The Vermont Rider Education Program was established in direct
response to a bill passed by the General Assembly in 1990, calling for a
motorcycle rider-training program.

The Vermont Rider Education Program (VREP) is a comprehensive
rider-training program. The program is designed to provide the training
necessary to enhance operator safety and reduce injuries that occur in
motorcycle crashes.

VREP encourages people who are interested in riding motorcycles to
take this training. The training provided through VREP is highly
effective for novice as well as the most experienced riders.

The program is voluntary until such time as the Commissioner of Motor
Vehicles determines the program shall be mandatory. After that date, all
applicants for a Motorcycle Learner Permit or Operator License
endorsement for operating a motorcycle shall successfully complete the
training course.

The training program follows nationally recognized safety and training
standards and involves both classroom and on-cycle training. The
maximum tuition per student is set annually by the Department of Motor
Vehicles.

For information on the Vermont Rider Education Program or to locate
the nearest training site, you may call 1-800-529-2535 or check the
Vermont DMV website at: www.dmv.state.vt.us. Four courses are
offered:

1. B

ASIC RIDER COURSE (BRC): This 18-hour course is for novice

riders and those with limited riding experience, as well as riders who
haven’t ridden for some time. The course, which includes a
combination of riding exercises and classroom discussions, teaches
the basic skills needed to operate a motorcycle in traffic.

The course begins by familiarizing students with the location and
operation of controls. Students learn riding skills by practicing on
small motorcycles. Students must demonstrate they have the
strength, balance and coordination to perform straight-line riding,
shifting, turning and stopping exercises.

Part I - 6