In Germany, you have to go through a whole driving course and two tests (one theoretical and one practical) before you get a license and can get yourself a motorbike.
Well, you could probably get a motorcycle at any point before that, but that would make no sense whatsoever since you wouldn’t be allowed to ride it.
So, we go through the motions, which is usually for the better.
Usually, theory and practice are done side by side. Since I don’t even have a regular driver’s license, I have to do most of the general driving theory on top of the special motorcycle theory. That means you get to sit in a class with other people who want to learn to drive a car and listen to an instructor explaining driving rules and regulations in Germany.
I had to go through 12 modules of general driving theory and 6 modules of motorcyle-specific theory. We had several instructors, depending on their schedules. One of them was really entertaining, teaching us a lot of things beyond the grey theory.
Of course, as a cyclist, I have been aware of many traffic rules and regulations already, but there was a lot to learn beyond the general knowledge I already had.
Additionally, we have a learning up that contains all the theoretical questions and scenarios that we need to know for the official theoretical test. The app includes over 1,000 questions, which we had to learn, though the final test would only contain 40 general and 5 specific questions.
I’m a total geek and I really enjoyed learning everything. The catalogue of questions was sometimes a bit much to go through, but I’m glad to have gone through it all.
It also made me more aware as a cyclist, even though I have always been riding defensively. But it is better to know the rules and adhere to them than just winging it.
I passed my theory test without any mistakes, which did make me a little proud of myself.
Story of My Life 
It’s the same in Romania, you have to take a course, then pass the theoretical exam, followed by the practical one. You have to ride with your instructor as passenger. Also, you must be at least 16 to ride a 50 cm3 motorcycle, at least 20 years old for a 125 cm3 and at least 24 for bigger engine capacity.
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It’s quite similar in Germany as well with age restrictions and engine size. Though the lower limits are 125cc, 250cc and then anything bigger. Also, the instructor follows in a car behind the motorcycle. They’d never ride pillion with an inexperienced rider. The student receives instructions via radio, though they are usually not able to respond or ask questions. They’d have to give hand signs and request a stop to discuss any issues or questions.
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Yeah, well, one of my friends failed the exam when she fell of the bike at a stop sign because the instructor was too heavy.
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Oh no, how awful! That should not have been counted as her fault. It takes experience to ride alone, let alone with someone else behind you. Even now I’ve not carried a passenger because that’s a lot of responsibility.
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Yes, it is. It took my husband some time before taking me with him.
As for my friend, she eventually passed, but it was an awful experience for a first time rider.
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Aw, and congrats on passing your first test. Good luck for the practical one.
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Oh, thanks. But I passed both a year and a half ago. I’m just updating my blog to reflect on the journey I took then. 🙂
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Oh, I see. Sorry. 😀 I hope you enjoy riding, then.
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Thank you and no worries 🙂 I enjoy it very much, although the weather has put a dampener on the start of this season. I will be writing more about how I got started, though, but also a few other experiences along the way 🙂
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Awesome. Looking forward to it. 😀
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