Top 5 Motorcycle Driving Schools in and Around Marion, IL

There are numerous benefits to driving a motorcycle, the most important being that it can be a lot of fun to drive. While it doesn’t require a lot of high-level skills to get started driving a motorcycle, it’s important to enroll in a class to learn how to operate one properly and obtain a valid motorcycle license from your nearest DMV.

If you have an interest in obtaining your motorcycle license, learning how to drive a motorcycle for the first time, or simply brushing up on your skills again and you live in or around the Marion area, there are a few driving schools you may want to consider. Here are the top five driving schools in Illinois to check out if you’re feeling the urge to hit the road on a motorcycle.

Motor Cycle Rider Program

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Southern Illinois University in nearby Carbondale offers the Motorcycle Rider Program to anyone interested in gaining the basic skills needed to operate a motorcycle. The program provides courses for free throughout the southern Illinois area, both for beginners and seasoned drivers with experience accumulating hundreds of thousands of miles. Whether you’re a beginner or already have experience driving motorcycles, the program aims to increase both your knowledge and skill level, making you a safer motorcyclist.

The program offers current and aspiring motorcyclists the choice between three different classes, depending on skill level. The Basic Rider Course provides students who don’t have any experience on a motorcycle or who have very limited experience on one with the opportunity to develop their skills in a safe way. Students get to practice basic motorcyclist skills like clutch control, shifting, turning, and stopping. After 20 hours of instruction with motorcycles, students get a completion card that allows drivers over 18 to waive the motorcycle examinations at the driver services facility.

The Basic Rider Course 2 allows motorcyclists to continue refining their skills. It requires motorcyclists to be at least 18 and have recent riding experience. It also exempts students from the state’s motorcyclist licensing requirements. There’s also the Advanced Rider Course available to seasoned motorcyclists with at least a year of experience or at least 1,000 miles of riding. This eight-hour course allows motorcyclists to increase their skills and better assess risks.

Cycle Rider Safety Training Program

The Illinois Department of Transportation offers the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program for riders with a wide range of skill levels all throughout Illinois. All courses are free to residents ages 16 and older and provide basic motorcycle safety and risk assessment instructions. They also allow motorcyclists over 18 to waive the state’s licensing requirements. The 20-hour Basic Rider Course includes classroom instruction and focuses on improving street-riding skills. The 20-hour, 3 Wheel Basic Rider Course focuses on improving street-riding skills for three-wheel riders.

In addition, the department offers a one-day Basic Rider Course 2 for riders who have basic skills in shifting, stopping, and clutch control, but want to enhance their skills. These three courses each provide students with their own training motorcycle and helmet. An 8.5-hour Advanced Rider Course for experienced riders enhances the skills gained in previous courses. Riders must provide their own personal motorcycle to participate.

Motorcycle Rider Safety Program Peoria

The Motorcycle Rider Safety Program is available at Illinois Central College in Peoria. It also offers courses that range from beginner level to advanced. To enroll in the course, students must be Illinois residents with valid driver’s licenses. The program also requires students to wear protective clothing. The basic course provides students with the opportunity to develop basic cyclist skills and equips them with the ability to deal with challenging situations that they might encounter while on a motorcycle.

In the 12-hour Basic Rider Course 2, students can further improve their abilities with the aim of eventually obtaining a motorcycle license. To enroll in the course, you’ll need straight-line riding, shifting, stopping, and clutch control skills. The advanced course provides students one day of classroom and motorcycle instruction and primarily centers around advanced braking, cornering, and perceptual skills. It allows advanced riders to tackle a special military sport bike rider course. To enroll, you must possess a valid motorcycle license and a street-legal motorcycle of your own.

Nova Driving School

Nova Driving School in Matteson offers specialized motorcycle training programs that include a unique combination of classroom instruction and riding exercises. The classes prepare students to complete the written motorcycle permit and license exams. Not only do students get to learn how to operate a motorcycle, but they can also learn more about the important traffic and safety laws governing how they can ride. In addition to motorcycle classes, the school also offers a variety of defensive driving courses, teen and adult driving programs, and even stick shift and parallel parking lessons.

Motorcycle Rider Safety Program Decatur

Richland Community College in Decatur offers free motorcycle safety classes to anyone wanting to learn how to ride a motorcycle safely. Like other classes, the program is available through the Illinois Department of Transportation and requires students to wear protective gear when riding, including long pants, a long-sleeved jacket, protective eyewear, and a helmet. Students must also be Illinois residents. The program varies based on experience level, with beginner classes focusing on familiarizing students with motorcycles and slowly building their skills.

Our team at VW of Marion hopes this list of motorcycle driving schools near Marion and in the wider state of Illinois helps you find the one that best fits your needs. We’re proud to offer a wide range of new and certified pre-owned vehicles and provide flexible auto financing for those who need it. Get started today, either by visiting our impressive showroom, giving us a call at 618-249-3841, or getting in touch with us online.