Riding Academy FAQs

The All American H-D New Rider Course is designed to instruct a novice. Our program uses the Motorcycle Safety Foundations (MSF) curriculum and is intended to provide the foundation and basic skill set for riding a motorcycle safely in a supportive, fun, and friendly environment. We take a step-by-step approach to learning to ride and start you off with the very basics of motorcycling. Within a short time, you'll actually be riding, learning skills, and building confidence. Our instructors are certified by the MSF, the State of Maryland and Harley-Davidson. They are capable of teaching our curriculum to the new rider which includes topics such as:

• Motorcycle intro with familiarization, and utilization of controls (Clutch, Throttle, Gear Shift)
• Properly accelerating and stopping
• Learning to turn, negotiate curves and swerving
• Developing mental and physical skill sets for safe motorcycling
• Create an understanding of risk awareness, risk taking and risk management strategies

Of Course! While the program is designed for new riders, it is also very well suited for those having some prior riding experience or those having a motorcycle license but looking for remedial training. This is a smart place to review and exercise the basics while reinforcing good habits.

Enrolling in one of our classes is quick and easy through our website. Please visit our website at www.allamericanharley.com/Riding-Academy. Go to the bottom and click "Register". This will bring up our training schedule and available classes in real time. Select one of the dates and click on the register now button. After registration is complete, the Riding Academy Manager (Avi) will be reaching out to you to arrange payment for the class.

We do understand that it can be hard to take time off from work to complete the program. We offer different program dates/times and post class schedules in advance to accommodate our customers as much as possible. Unfortunately, the State of Maryland’s Motorcycle Safety Program prohibits us from breaking up classes and having students start one session and completing in another.

A Class M license will issued to anyone over the age of 16 years and 6 months of age, and the M license can only be added to a valid license of another class.  Those under the age of 18 must also have parent/guardian review and sign program waiver forms (please contact the Riding Academy Program Manager prior to the start of class for these documents). Also, students should be able to balance and ride a bicycle.

No, a learner’s permit is not necessary nor required in order to take our New Rider Course.

As part of the New Rider Course (NRC) curriculum, the Motorcycle Safety foundation (MSF) and the State of Maryland require all students to complete an online eCourse prior to and within 30 days of attending their scheduled class. The eCourse is an interactive online (3-4 hour) program consisting of slides, videos, and knowledge quizzes designed to provide some of the basic concepts of motorcycling. After enrolling into an All American H-D course, students will receive a welcome letter along with specific instructions for completing the MSF eCourse along with a coupon code that waives the MSF fee. After completing the eCourse, students will have the opportunity to print out a completion certificate which we require you to present at the start of the first classroom session. For those without a computer or not familiar with their use, we suggest working with a friend or a family member, who has access to and is familiar with a computer, to assist you with completing the online eCourse. Also, most public libraries provide access to computers and some basic guidance.

**The successful completion of the eCourse is a mandatory requirement of the curriculum. Students failing to fulfill this requirement will not be allowed to participate in range activities, ultimately resulting in their dismissal from the program and forfeiture of tuition.

After successfully completing all classroom and range activities and passing both the Knowledge and Skills tests, you will be awarded a Maryland Motorcycle Safety Completion Certificate (for Maryland residents only). You'll surrender this certificate at any full-service MVA and your driver's license will be reissued (fees applicable), with the added M license.

No, our program includes administering the Maryland State Knowledge and Skills tests no further testing is required following satisfactory completion.

Motorcycle training and licensing are typically handled on a state-by-state basis and without any reciprocal consideration (Florida and Texas are currently exceptions). However, under some circumstances (e.g., out-of-state military duty assignment), we have experienced that exceptions are made. In all cases, you should check with your home state Motor Vehicle Administration and confirm their policy. Alternatively, you can turn in your out-of-state driver's license for a Maryland DL and have the M license added.

Washington DC and the State of Maryland have an agreement that allows DC licensees to complete the program in Maryland and qualify to receive their motorcycle endorsement. After successfully completing our curriculum (including the Knowledge and Skills tests), the student will be issued a Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program Completion Card. This card should be presented to DC Motor Vehicle Administration, student will then be required to successfully complete the Districts written test (no riding test required), and then will receive a reissued DC driver’s license with the added M endorsement (fees applicable).

The cost of the New Rider Course covers the eCourse fees, all classroom materials, as well as, the use of a training motorcycle which includes fuel and insurance.

Our program utilizes the Harley-Davidson Street XG500. While it is the largest (in terms of engine size) motorcycle certified for training by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, it is relatively small, lightweight, easy to handle and well suited to the new rider. We believe this provides the student with an advantage in that they will learn on a vehicle that is more representative of the typical street ready motorcycle. This motorcycle is also customizable with a few seat choices to help fit a wide variety of rider heights.

Students are required to provide and wear their own protective gear during the range portions of the curriculum. This equipment consists of the following:

• DOT certified helmet in good condition (with all labeling intact) that fits you well
• Protective eyewear: riding goggles, sunglasses, prescription glasses, and/or face shield on helmet
• Long sleeve shirt and/or jacket
• Full fingered gloves
• Long durable pants (work pants or jeans)
• Sturdy over-the-ankle boots
• While not mandatory, we also suggest having some sort of raingear in the event of inclement weather

**Per the State of Maryland's Motorcycle Safety Program policy, any student who shows up for a range session without the appropriate protective equipment will be dismissed from the class and will forfeit their tuition.

The State of Maryland's Motorcycle Safety Program maintains strict policies around student attendance and punctuality for the curriculum. Per their policy, students who are late or miss a session will not be allowed to continue the class and are subject to retaking the class in its entirety. Students should ensure they are available for the entire scheduled class and at the specified times to avoid this situation and the forfeiture of tuition.

When it comes to test time, even the most skilled riders can make mistakes. It is a test and it’s ok, it happens! We understand that by the end of the class, when the tests are administered, students can be mentally and physically tired and even nervous. The good news is, the State of Maryland allows us to administer one retest for each of the two evaluations (Knowledge and Skills), if necessary. Knowledge retests are typically administered on the last day of the class while Skills retests are scheduled for another date and time. The RA Program Manager will work with students to set up a convenient date/time to schedule the skills retest.

Student safety is our top priority. The range portion of the program can be mentally and physically challenging for some individuals (extreme weather conditions can also increase these challenges). We expect that students enrolling into our program are in reasonably good health and maintain normal physical capabilities and strength. Individuals that have medical or physical conditions that could impair motor functions and/or limit stamina should check with their doctor prior to enrolling in a class to determine if this activity is acceptable with their condition. Additionally, individuals who take medications having the potential for physical/mental impairment should also consult their physician. For further information, please contact the Riding Academy Program Manager.