COLUMBUS, Ohio — Beginning Monday, January 23rd, Ohioans will be able to sign up for motorcycle safety courses online through the Motorcycle Ohio program. The program, which is offered by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, provides various levels of motorcycle safety courses for riders based on their skill levels and objectives. The courses are conducted from March to November and are funded by motorcycle plate fees and class registrations.
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio has over 600,000 endorsed riders, making it one of the largest states for total ridership. However, since 2017, there have been 1,074 fatal crashes involving motorcycles in Ohio, and in 56% of those crashes, the rider was at fault. An unendorsed rider was involved in 45% of those crashes.
The Motorcycle Ohio program strives to provide affordable, effective education programs at just $50 per course, which includes the cost of student workbooks. Students must have a valid motorcycle temporary permit before the first riding session. Upon successful completion of any course, the student will earn a 60-day Bureau of Motor Vehicles skill test waiver for a motorcycle license or endorsement.
The types of courses offered include Basic Rider Skills (BRS), recommended for novice riders, Returning Riders (BRS-RR), designed for intermediate riders, and Basic Rider Skills 2 (BRS-2), recommended for riders looking for a refresher course or to bond with a new motorcycle.
Courses will be taught at 36 training sites around Ohio, and interested individuals can find out more about how to prepare for a course and enroll by visiting motorcycle.ohio.gov.
