[at-l] only semi-trail related

[bennettk@wfu.edu (Ken Bennett)]

>Okay, you guys, I'm in a foul mood. This morning I had to take my
>motorcycle driving exam. I have the feeling it's different over here, but
>anyway, first you have to take lessons at a registered driving school at
>$30 a lesson, then after having taken say somewhere between 30 to 40
>lessons, you can give it a try at the exam. You have to book the exam in
>advance and during the summer waiting times can go up to 5 months.


My first vehicle was an old motorcyle, a 1976 Honda CB400F. Nice little
bike. I never bothered to get the class M license for it, until I was
stopped for an equipment violation (the muffler had rusted away) and the
nice police officer noticed my lack of the proper license.

Anyway, when I could finally afford to get the bike fixed up, first thing I
did was go down to the local Division of Motor Vehicles office, just up the
road from my apartment. The licensing officer watched me start the bike,
ride a few circles around the parking lot, smiled and gave me the
endorsement for motorcycles. Two days later the original police officer
stopped me again, this time just to see if I had the proper license.

So, anyway, I'm sorry that you had to go through all that, and then not
even pass the exam. I do hope that you will pass it the next time.  Also,
considering the number of people who kill themselves in very messy ways
while riding motorcycles in this country, I think maybe your licensing
system makes sense. (And having driven in Europe, I think that training in
extreme handling and accident avoidance maneuvers is also probably a good
idea <grin>.)

Cheers,

Ken