Florida Rider Training Program — Motorcycle Safety Course

Experience excellence in motorcycling
at Florida State College

Motorcycles can provide many hours of enjoyable riding pleasure, save fuel and be easy to park. Unfortunately, many riders never learn the critical skills needed to ride safely. Professional training for beginning and experienced riders prepares them for real world traffic situations.

Motorcycle rider courses teach and improve activities such as:

Effective turning
Braking maneuvers
Protective apparel selection
Obstacle avoidance
Traffic strategies
Responsible attitudes

The Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP) uses curriculum developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The Basic course provides entry-level skills for a new rider, including the knowledge and skills necessary to ride safely on the streets and highways. Insurance, motorcycle, helmet and student handbook are provided for the course. Students must provide eye protection, gloves (full hand coverage), long pants, long sleeved shirt or jacket, and sturdy over-the-ankle footwear.

Effective July 1, 2008, all persons seeking the motorcycle license must successfully complete a Basic Rider Course. Schedule a course now! Upon successful completion of the course, graduates are exempt from further testing at a driver license office and may be entitled to insurance premium discounts through participating insurance companies. View FAQs from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Motorcycle Safety Courses

How to Register

Current and returning students can register online for course number and title SSC 0480U - Motorcycle: Florida Rider Training Program (Basic). After you register, please update your personal information in Connections. A current phone number and email address (if you have one) help ensure you will be notified if there is a modification to your selected course. Payment for each class is due one week before the class starts, so remember to pay your fee quickly to retain your seat.

Not a student? Complete a student admission application. The purpose of the application is to gather demographic information required for the registration process. No application fee will be assessed.

After selecting the Apply Now button below, please choose: "My main goal is to take a course or courses for either professional development or personal enrichment." Search for "Motorcycle" and follow the steps provided.

For more information, contact Alfrid van den Heever at (904) 766-6684.

Course Offerings

Introduction to Motorcycling - Cost $50

Class offered at the Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus, 4501 Capper Road. (Directions and map)
Two class meetings: a Wednesday night from 6–8 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m.–11 a.m.
Note: NOT for licensing.

Course	Reference No.	Dates of Class
SSC0480E		TBA
We can offer custom classes.

NEW — The “Intro to Motorcycling” — This course will explain the basics of motorcycling for potential riders. It is the perfect class for anyone contemplating learning to ride a motorcycle. Consisting of classroom and real on cycle instruction, this 4-5 hour introduction can easily be done in a day. Get a taste of riding without a big investment of time or money. Find out if riding is for you and if you have the basic skills needed to be prepared for the full license earning Basic Rider Course. Contact Alfrid van den Heever for more information.

Basic Rider Course (BRC) - Cost: $215 now $175

Class offered at the Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus, 4501 Capper Road. (Directions and map)
Two-session class: Saturday and Sunday (7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. both days).

Course	Reference No.	Dates of Class
Spring Term 2013
SSC0480U	383319	April 20 and 21
SSC0480U	388709	April 27 and 28
Spring classes with seats available can be viewed here.
Summer Term 2013
SSC0480U	392154	May 18 and 19
SSC0480U	392155	June 1 and 2
SSC0480U	392156	June 15 and 16
SSC0480U	392157	June 29 and 30
SSC0480U	392158	July 13 and 14
SSC0480U	392159	July 27 and 28
Summer classes with seats available can be viewed here.

The State of Florida requires the Basic Rider Course to be 15 hours long. Students must attend all 15 hours to earn their Motorcycle Endorsement. Class end times listed above may vary due to weather/circumstances.

Experienced Rider Course - Cost: $100

Classes offered at the Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus, 4501 Capper Road. (Directions and map)

Course	Reference No.	Dates of Class
SSC0370O		TBA
We can offer custom classes.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation “Experienced Rider Course” — The ERC Suite is a one day seminar format open to riders who have successfully completed the Basic Rider Course or have sufficient riding skills and experiences to operate a motorcycle with basic proficiency. You must have the motorcycle endorsement on your license. Riders must provide their own motorcycles and show proof of insurance on the machine. Motorcycles must pass a tech inspection. Unsafe cycles will not be allowed. Class size is limited to 12 riders. Classes may be custom scheduled for groups with advance notice. Contact Alfrid van den Heever for more information.

Sidecar/Trike/Spyder Edorsement Program - Cost: $200 (use own machine)
Sidecar/Trike/Spyder Edorsement Program - Cost: $250 (use the College's Can-Am)

Class offered at the Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus, 4501 Capper Road. (Directions and map)
Two-session class: Saturday and Sunday (8 a.m.-3 p.m. both days).

Course	Reference No.	Dates of Class
Spring Term 2013
SSC6300Z	383323	April 20 and 21
Spring classes with seats available can be viewed here.
Summer Term 2013
SSC6300Z	392400	June 8 and 9
SSC6300Z	392401	July 20 and 21
Summer classes with seats available can be viewed here.

We are approved for three wheel training for Florida licensing with a certified instructor on staff.

Own a trike, side car rig or the new Can-Am Spyder?

You can take the Sidecar/Trike/Spyder Endorsement Program course on your machine for licensing at Florida State College at Jacksonville. You must transport your machine to the North Campus training site for the Range Sessions (Saturday and Sunday) and provide proof of insurance. We may require a tech inspection on site to ensure the vehicle is in condition to meet the course requirements.

The College now has two Can-Am spyders available to students as trainer machines at an additional cost of $50. First come, first served.

To find out more, email communication is best for detailed information. We are excited about bringing this training to North Florida. Classes are limited to six people per class.

Attention New Scooter Owners!

You can take the Basic Rider Course on your scooter for licensing. You will need to notify us prior to the start of your class that you intend to use a scooter during class (email communication is preferred). You must also transport your scooter to the North Campus training site for the Range Sessions on Saturday and Sunday and provide proof of insurance on the scooter. We may require a tech inspection on site to ensure the vehicle is in condition to meet the course requirements. We are limited to less than 500cc only. Note: Be aware you will not have experience shifting a motorcycle, as scooters have automatic transmissions, so although you will receive a “Motorcycle” license, you will only know how to ride with an automatic transmission.

No Seats Available?

Students sometimes register for a class but do not pay by the payment due date. These students will be dropped from the class and create openings for additional students. Check a class for available seats on the Thursday before it is scheduled to start or consider being a “standby.” Standby works like this: if there is a last minute opening in a class, standby students will be offered the spot in that class in the order that they signed up as a standby. Contact Alfrid van den Heever to be placed on the standby list.

What Students Have to Say About the Class

“I had the pleasure of taking the Motorcycle Safety Course at your North Campus. The instructors, Dick Shrum and Vince Seibold, were very knowledgeable, professional and helpful. They made a challenging and extremely interactive program run smoothly and successfully. These gentleman showed extraordinary patience and understanding for individuals who were challenged by the course. Keep up the great work!”

Sincerely, Scott Hodges
Principal, Yulee Elementary School in Nassau County

“I recently took a motorcycle safety class and wanted to offer some feedback. This was my first experience riding a motorcycle and I have learned a great deal in three days. I want to take a moment and commend your instructors for doing such a wonderful job. I think I may have been the worst student in the class; however, they were very patient and caring with their instruction. Most of the maneuvers that we had to do were challenging (for me) but rewarding. I will surely recommend this class to anyone who is looking to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Kudos to Jeff, Butch and Vince for doing a great job and putting up with me for three days!!! Again, I want to let you all know what a fabulous job you all are doing. Please continue to show patience and offer the students words of encouragement.”

Kimberly Armstrong
Duval County Public Schools

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to take the course?

Motorcycle gloves, full finger, leather preferred
Over the ankle shoes or boots
Sturdy pants
Long sleeve shirt and/or jacket
Eye protection such as plastic sunglasses
Note: If you have a 3/4 or full coverage helmet, please bring your own. We do have some loaner helmets.

Do I need or use my own motorcycle?

We provide the cycles for the Basic Course.

What kind of bikes do you use?

All training cycles have full size frames although they may be 250-125cc displacement machines.

How much is the class?

Tuition and fees are subject to change by action of the College’s District Board of Trustees. Current tuition and fees will be posted at the time of registration.

Where is the course offered?

At the Florida State College at Jacksonville North Campus, 4501 Capper Road. (Directions and map)

Are we riding every class?

No, only on Saturday and Sunday. Wednesday night is in the classroom. There is a second in-class session on Saturday after the riding session, and on Sunday after the riding session, we will have evaluations and class closure.

How many students are in a class?

Your class has only 12 students.

What happens if I cannot finish the class?

You have 60 days to complete the course once you enroll, providing space is available in another class within that period. If you cannot complete in that time, you must re-enroll and pay again.

What if I fail an evaluation?

You will have an opportunity to retest one time. You cannot retest on that same day.

Do I get my license at the end of the class?

Upon successful completion of the course your information will be transmitted to the DHSMV data base. After three days, you may go to any DMV office and apply for the motorcycle endorsement. We have the option of also providing you with a completion card which may be used for other purposes such as possible reduced insurance rates. The completion card is not used for licensing if issued after July 1, 2008.

How long has Florida State College at Jacksonville offered the program?

The College has been offering quality rider training to the North Florida First Coast area since 1981 — 29 years!

Where can I learn more about the Florida Rider Training Program?

See the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Florida Rider Training Program FAQs.

Useful Links*

*These Web sites are not affiliated with Florida State College at Jacksonville and no endorsement is implied.

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Florida State College at Jacksonville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the baccalaureate and associate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097, or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Florida State College at Jacksonville. The Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution's significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard.