[dcook_14]

I just bought my first street bike and was wondering if anyone could tell me the process of getting licensed in Iowa. I got the little booklet from the courthouse and I've been looking through that but I have a couple of questions.

Do you need to wear a helmet for the driving test?
Do you need to provide your own bike and if so, does it have to be your bike or can it be borrowed?
What kind of stuff does the driving test cover? Anything in particular that I should practice?
Can I get licensed any time of the year or will I have to wait for it to be nice weather? (it friggen snowed again today )
Is there a sort of bike inspection that they do?
In general, how difficult are the written and driving tests?

 

[kcdt58]

1) you do need a helmet to do the test
2) you have to provide your own bike. you can borrow someone elses but you must have proof that they let you borrow it, it must be insured, must pass inspection(street legal), and have up-to-date tags
3) the hardest thing i have heard about is the slalom with cones. the motorcycle test book should have a list of what you must do in the driving test
4) test times depend on the weather so contact your license bureau
5) they inspect it for all lights, mirrors, tags, and insurance
6) the written exam was a piece of cake and have heard the driving test isn't too bad...but i didn't have to take it so not positive.

also i would recommend stopping by and watching some riders do the driving test so you can see exactly what the have to do. hope this helps you out a bit.

 

[Iakayak81]

you can normally find out where the course is set up, and if they have the course painted, you can practice on the off hours sometimes.

 

[mitchelld03]

1. Helmet mandatory!
2. No, must have tags and insurance. I rented one from the local bike shop for like $25 to take the test on. They brought the bike out and unloaded it, then loaded it back up when done.
3. Riding test is cake.
4. Agree with kcdt58 on this. Weather dependent testing.
5. Once again with kcdt58.
6. Very easy tests. Common knowledge questions.

 

[Absocold]

6. Very easy tests. Common knowledge questions.

Common knowledge is an uncommon virtue.

 

[dcook_14]

Common knowledge is an uncommon virtue.

Touche my friend

 

[dcook_14]

What qualifications does the helmet need to have? Is just DOT certified alright? I've seen other certifications with a bunch of numbers....

 

[Iakayak81]

dot would be the minumum requirement, most full face helmets will meet this. They will have a DOT on the back of the helmet if they are dot approved. If you havent picked up a helmet yet, you want to find one that is comfortable but snug. It shouldt be loose, or have any pressure points anywhere. try the helmet on for a good 20 minuites, just walk around the store with it.