The government has rather recently directed all driving schools and institutes across the nation to charge potential motorcycle student no more than RM211.

This applied to those who intent to secure a Class B2 motorcycle license.

Briefly, the amount of RM211 seems to cover:

i) Attending the 5 hour course on Kursus Pendidikan Pemandu.

ii) Sitting for the computer test on the Highway Code.

iii) The issuance of the Learner Driver’s License or “L”.

iv) Attendance of the 6 hours theory course.

However, it should be informed that the driving school, being a service orientated business concern has the right to impose reasonable service charges on the student.

According to a close friend of mine who has been in the driving school business for over 40 years, the service charge can amount to anything from RM150 – RM200.

If should also be informed that a student is allowed to sit for the computer test only once. Should a student fail his or her Highway Code the first time around, then the driving school will impose a fee of RM50 for the second attempt.

The above rules and regulations are in accordance with the requirements of the transport authorities.

Where does a potential student wishing to secure a Class B2 (below 250 cc) license go after he or she has obtained the “L” license?

The student has to then enroll himself, normally through a driving institute to learn how to ride correctly at the institute’s premises.

This course which cost RM70 – RM85 will again be borne by the proprietor of the driving school or institute.

And what does the motorcycle learner be taught in its 4 – 5 lessons course?

In fact, at the institute, the tuition provided is done by trained driving instructors of the institutes who possess the necessary documents and certificates.

Motorcycle used for learning purposes, have the necessary insurance coverage and are inspected by the Puspakom authorities once every 6 months.

The motorcycle course, in case you are not aware is divided into 2 parts. They are:

Part 1

1) Riding around 2 round abouts.

2) Crossing a narrow 1 foot bridge in approximately 7 seconds or less.

3) Riding or zig sagging amongst a series of cones.

4) Doing an emergency stop procedure.

The above obstacles is said to test the students’ ability to control a motorcycle well.

Part II

This part is the practical test where it proceeds on to test the student on other aspects. This is called the “road riding” aspect of the test.

It includes:

i) Checking or installing signals, horns, hand brakes and foot brakes, front and rear brakes and handle bar mirror prior to moving off.

ii) The ability to use hand signals and mechanical signals of the vehicle well.

iii) Slowing down signals.

iv) How to put the vehicle or either 1 stand or double stand procedures.

It should further reiterated that once a rider wobbles or falls, he or she will be accorded an instant failure!

Come to think of it, to secure a B2 motorcycle license, the obstacles are many. In reality, it is not an easy thing getting a B2 motorcycle license after all.

My advice to all potential candidates is visit the institute’s premises more often so that you can learn to be adept in riding and controlling the vehicle prior to your practical test by the J.P.J. authorities.

If you should fail either Part I or Part II of the practical test, you will have to resit for it at a later date. And obviously, you have to learn a few more lessons before appearing for the next test. And this would mean further expenses on your part.

If you are able to pass both the parts of the practical test, then you will be rewarded with a B2 class riding license for bikes under 250 cc.

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Many years ago, motorcycle riders were exempted from paying road tolls. Bridge tolls followed. B2 riders were exempted. Very soon followed the government’s decision to reduce road tax. Road tax for motors become RM2 only.

But if you think that’s all the authorities are doing for motorcycle rides, you’re wrong.

A few months ago, 135,000 Sirim approved safety helmets were given free in exchange for old helmets. The above campaign had to be carried out. Motorcycle riders, it seems, were using old and worn out helmets, which the authorities claimed were dangerous.

Each Sirim approved helmet, mind you, cost approximately RM80 – RM100.

If you were to be a motorcycle rider, what more can you expect from the authorities?

Unfortunately, how have these youths who ride motorcycle repaid the authorities? By becoming “Mat Rempit”, which is becoming a major headache for the government today.

Even Section 81 of the Road Transport Act 1987 has failed to deter youths from participating in illegal racing. The above act carries a RM2000 fine. It has even been suggested in Parliament that machines be confiscated. All these have failed to prevent the menace of illegal racing in this country.

In spite of all these developments, the authorities came out with the biggest surprise of all just recently. A bonus for all motorcycle riders, I should say.

A directive to all driving institutes all across the entire country, that potential candidates opting to secure a B2 (below 250 cc) motor license cannot be charged more than a sum of RM211.

Irregardless of whether the institutes make a profit or otherwise, the regulation now stipulates that’s the maximum amount a motorcycle rider can be charged.

This tantamount to encouraging and assisting more and more youths, especially from the kampung areas to secure a motor driving license to ride motorcycles.

To tell you the truth, I would be happier if it had been the other way around. The authorities, it looks, has made a rather unwise decision. Instead of raising the minimum age of riding motorcycles to say 18 years, it has gone out of its way, to introduce recommendations to assist motorcycle users again and again.

Lest it be said that I am against those who ride motorcycles, the fact it, I am not.

What does the sum of RM211, recently announced by the authorities encompass? Basically, the amount covers:

1) The “L” driving license.

2) Attendance of the K.P.P. course (5 hours).

3) Attendance of the theory class (6 hours).

4) Sitting for the highway code test (once only).

5) The Q.T.I. test conducted by the J.P.J. authorities.

6) The “P” driving license.

Be it reminded that should you fail the highway code test the first time around, most driving schools and institutes would charge you RM50 for test and service included the next time around.

Potential candidates should also bear in mind, no service like fetching the student to learn practical lessons and training purposes are accorded. Likewise for all other tests and practical tests conducted, a student has to fend for himself.

The instructor or driving schools or institutes provide no service whatsoever to the students.

Be it also be known, that the profession of driving institution is a service oriented business. Besides levying fees approved by the J.P.J. authorities, a driving school proprietor is permitted to charge a reasonable amount of what is termed as service charges.

It should be reminded the driving school entity has to bear overhead and assorted charges. And for that, service fee has to be taken into account.

I have chosen to explain this to the readers, as a failure to do so might lead those interested in taking up driving lessons, be it car or motorcycle, to misconstrue the manner in which the fees are charged and calculated.

If a person can ride a bicycle, learning to ride a motorcycle would be easier.

This article, would concentrate on instructing a student, how to ride a manual motorcycle.

In such a vehicle, the rider changes the gears himself. Foremost, remember a motorcycle is powered by petrol or fuel. It is therefore dangerous.

A slight twist of the throttle, will cause the machine to surge forward.

Before teaching a rider how to ride, it’s important that we introduce him to the controls itself.

A new rider, assuming he or she has never ridden a bike before should know:

i) The handbrake is on the right side of the handle. Use the right hand / fingers to depress it.

ii) The foot brake. Also situated o the right hand side where your right foot rests.

iii) Then there’s the gear control on the left side of your left foot.

Smaller motorcycles today have no clutch control. The gears are changed automatically, without the help of the clutch.

Let’s proceed then to the gear control.

Gear Control

Normally, a motorcycle has the following gears: Free gear, gear 1, 2, 3 and sometimes 4.

To make it easier for riders, the latest models of motorcycles, have “gear and free gear” denominations on the handle bars. You can look at the handle bar denominations to help you.

Today’s bikes use electronic starters. Upon switching the ignition switch, press a “starter” button to start the machine.

The steps are:

i) Ensure first of all, the motor is in free gear.

ii) Gear one is engaged by stepping down or forward with your left foot once.

iii) Accelerate slightly the throttle on the right hand side of the handle bar.

iv) With this, gear one will move the machine forward.

v) Keep accelerating the throttle and when the machine has moved approximately 10 – 20 meters, step the gear down, with your left foot for the 2nd gear and thus move faster.

To step, pull the handbrake and simultaneously step the foot brake with your right foot.

Next, is to free the gear. Look at the gear mechanism on your handle bar for help.

Learn to switch off the ignition key.

Start all over from step (i) to (v) and soon enough you’ll be on your way to riding a motorcycle eventually.

Gear 3 and 4 can be learnt at a later stage, when you mastered gears free one and two.