Legal extorsion/blackmail in FL

[Cobia]

It used to be that in FL you could go down to the DMV Licencing office and take the motorcycle riding proficiency road test and get your endorsement. But no more
In order to get your endorsement now you have to take the riding course and pay a minimum of $250.00 for it. If you don't, there's no way to get your endorsement, or to legally ride your scoot in this state.
It is a midemeanor for which you can get arrested, it is at the discretion of the cop. If he's in a foul mood you could spend the night in the big house.
Quite a scheme, isn't it?
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against the course. In fact, I recommend it myself but if you don't have the $$$ at the time you're scr#$d.

[XJOK2PLAY]

Dang, Cobia! That really sucks!!!
Seems like it just keeps getting harder to hang on to your wallet these days... 'cause somebody's always trying to lift it from you!

Sure sorry to hear that newsflash... but nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to 'legal theft'.

[Cobia]

Yeah, and the worse part is that I got stopped for no reason and when he saw I didn't have the endorsement he forced me to leave the bike on the side of the road.
It's in a safe neighbothood and it's in a designated parking space, but I can't ride it home. A friend is going to drive it home for me in about an hour or so.
I was going to get it a little later but you know they're watching it like vultures. I don't want to get arrested for something like that.
As it stands, I have a court date for Jan 13, 2010, that I hope to walk into with my endorsement in hand. Taking the course Dec 17, 19, 20.
Merry Xmass to me!!!!!

[devilschld]

damm makes u wish u lived somewhere else now

[fredintoon]

"If you can't do the time, don't do the crime."

Yeah, and the worse part is that I got stopped for no reason and when he saw I didn't have the endorsement he forced me to leave the bike on the side of the road. - - -

Hi Cobia,
and how long have you been riding with no m/c endorsement?
Long enough that you could have just gone down and ridden the proficiency test back when that was all you had to do, eh?

[Cobia]

Hey Fred,
Not really, although this became law in July of this year, they made it very difficult to schedule a road test all along. I've only been back to riding for 3+ years and that was the case then and only got worse now.

[DGXSER]

What about reciprocity? Here in the round state (O-hi-O) you only have to take the course if your under 18. Above that you can take the written and a riding test, fees are nto that high. There is also a technical college in Cincinnati that offers the MSF course for $25. Finish it and pass their test and you do not take the state riding test.

Hard part, is getting into the course. They sell out every spring and mid summer when they have registrations in two hours or less. They do offer walk-in option but you have to get VERY lucky to get into one that way (I was VERY VERY LUCKY, and got in first time, some folks had showed up 7 times before and still did not get in).

Anyway, perhaps you can go to a state like Ohio and get it, then go back for reciprocity? Or perhaps to just take the course cheapy and take the certification back??

[Cobia]

Don,
I actually considered that, going to GA or other closeby state. I mean with the low cost of flying and all, I could probably do it. But being a single dad to an 11 y/o kind of carries some limitations to free movement.
Good idea though.

[furious4]

I feel your pain. I too live in Florida and failed to go get my mc endorsement before the change. So a few months ago I took the safety course. $219.00 for course. + $32.00 at dmv for endorsement. just keep an open mind and you'll have fun and learn a few things. At least we don't need to winterize our 11's

[Cobia]

Hey Furious,
Thanks for the encouragement. I know it will be good and I look forward to it, I just hate to be forced into anything. Especially when I don't need it and can't really afford it now.
Hey, let me know if you want to ride anywhere in between us!!!!

[RS Thornton]

Yikes!

I teach the MSF course in Michigan and the cost is $25. We are a grant program which means we are subsidized by the cycle endorsement fees that the state collecs. In MI a succesful MSF course graduate gets the riding test waived, and is mandatory for under riders under 18. It is unfortunate that Florida mandated the course without offering the subsidized program that many other states have.
Regards,
Scott

[Cobia]

They waive it for succesful completion here in FL as well, but it's not subsidized. Before they enacted the law that forces you to take it the cost was only $150, after the law in some counties (by the same MITI school) it's as high as $275. In Palm Beach Co. it's $265, but I got a fall special for $250. What a bargain!!
Motorcycle registrations here are around $30 so I don't see how they could subsidize the course. And you do not have to carry insurance on cycles. You do have to carry $10K of medical insurance if you want to ride w/out a helmet. As if that's going to cover even the ambulance ride if they have to scrape your brains off the road before the trip to the emergency room!!!!

[yadada]

$10K would just barely cover a 33 mile medivac helicopter ride. DAMHIK.

P.S. My brains stayed in my head in the helmet.

[RS Thornton]

In MI we pay $5 a year to renew the cycle endorsement, there are ~500,000 cycle endorsements in the state. This generates 2.5 million dollars, some of the funds go to the motorcycle safety program, which subsidizes the grant MSF schools. There are other independant schools charging 250-300 for the same course as there is more demand than the grant programs can handle. I will ask the state co-ordinator how the State of Michigan set this up. Sounds like an opportunity for local ABATE and/or AMA to get involved and develop a lower cost alternative to a mandated course.

That said, can you see if any of those schools needs a fill in instructor over the March Break

Scott

[Cobia]

Randy,
I'm glad your brain remained where it belongs and that you came through OK.

Scott,
Now that you have to take the course, the only additional charge is the re-issuing of your license showing your endorsement (+/-$30), after that there are no additional charges other than your license renewal fee every 4 to 6 years.
BTW - I'm sure these course sponsors are always looking for instructors who will allow them to offer more courses and make more moola.
Here's a link for the FL Rider Training Program of the FL Dept. of Hwy Safety and Motor Vehicles where they list these providers for the entire state. Don't know what part of the state you're interested in so here you have them all.
http://www.motorcycles.hsmv.state.fl.us/index.cfm

Hope to meet you in March!!!