GA license test

what all does the riding test consist of I have been practicing slow turns and things of that nature a good bit.

thanks
mike

I don't know the specifics of the GA test. (I'm sure some other members here do though)

The exam for most states usually consists of a cone weave (This is usually considered the hardest part), sharp turns at slow speed, a U-turn, stopping both fast and slow, and a swerving test.

I passed the test in GA many years ago. I am told that they have since eliminated the cone weave, which was laid out in such a way that it was nearly impossible to do on anything bigger than 50 ccs (probably due to limited space available for the course layout). I went around a couple of cones and took the point loss on the rest, passed anyway. What is left is parts of the MSF standard test - turns, an emergency stop, an emergency steer, stop with the front wheel in a box.

If you can stop - start - steer comfortably and do figure eights in two sets of two parking lot stalls across from each other you'll do fine.

thanks guys!

yea I have been practicing lots of low speed manuvers and things

I think most test have you start in 1st, go up to 2nd, back down to 1st and stop before a line. Also the figure eight maneuvers need to be done without putting your feet on the ground. Actually I was told before the test that if your feet touch the ground at all during the test it is an automatic fail. (except at the appropriate areas such as the stop of course.)

In Illinois, points are deducted for feet-touching. Laying the bike down, or one wheel leaving the ground, is an automatic fail. Every state is slightly different. You may be able to find out the GA specifics by visiting the DMV website. Practice a lot before you take the test.

The examiner should be able and willing to tell you exactly what they are looking for in terms of pass or fail status. They won't always explain everything outright. They usually just tell you where they want you to ride and where to stop. When they ask "Do you have any questions?" right before each phase of the exam, be sure to ask!

i just passed mine in ga, so i'll fill ya in.

no more figure 8, i practiced that for like 20 minutes before the woman finally came out only to tell me they quit doing that a while back.

the first test was a straight line a to b, then coast to c, then stop befor hitting area d.

second test was random left/right/middle evasion, if the light is in the middle you stop, either side, you swerve and stop.

then you do a couple 45 degree turns at like 10-15 mph, and that's it.

still, learning figure 8's is something everybody should do, that and making really small U turns.

Thanks SuperSherpa197.

The test sounds a lot easier than those including the cone weave or figure 8. It seems a lot of states are dropping the figure 8 part now, will the cone weave be next?

also, it helps to have a light bike for taking your test, i can't imagine what it's like for new, not-so-serious riders on goldwings or loaded harley's to do figure 8's.

We can hope. I think the tests are pointless from a public safety standpoint, and are nothing but a hassle and a source of stress to new riders. The entire license endorsement mechanism is supposed to drive people towards taking classes, and the latest actuarial data shows that the classes really don't help much in the long run.

Part of the problem is that the difficulty of any low-speed skills test will vary widely with the nature of the bike in use, not only by cc but depending on the wheelbase, weight, CG, gearing, and steering geometry. Contrast a large-cc dual sport with a cruiser of similar engine eize.

The rest of the problem is that parking-lot skills demonstrate control of the machine which is only a small part of the safety equation. Does the rider know the true lean limits of the bike? Most don't and this leads to the most common single-vehicle motorcycle accident. Can the rider "read" surrounding traffic and exhibit properly unbridled paranoia about oncoming cars that turn left? Choose a good line through a turn? Do a real emergency stop, one from 70 MPH down to zero?