Basic RiderCourse (BRC) FAQ

This course is designed for someone who has little or no experience operating a motorcycle, and it focuses on the development of basic riding skills: clutch and throttle coordination, straight-line riding, braking, turning, and shifting. Training motorcycles are provided. Privately owned motorcycles are NOT permitted.

The ability to ride a bicycle and a valid email address on file with the College.

Learning activities include the MSF ePackage 1 eCourse, six activity segments, and fourteen riding exercises.

Methods of evaluation include the Knowledge Test (written final exam) and Rider Skill Test (on-cycle test).

Yes; training motorcycles are provided. Privately owned motorcycles are NOT permitted.

Instruction consists of approximately 17 total hours – 5 hours of online preparation to be completed prior to your class start date and 12 hours of hands-on training, activities, evaluation, and testing.

Successful completion of the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) results in a certificate that waives the Knowledge Test (K-Test) and Rider Skill Test (RST), which would otherwise be administered by the Secretary of State and a third-party testing agency, respectively.

Students who have a Michigan driver’s license will receive a confirmation email from the Secretary of State that contains instructions for applying the motorcycle endorsement (CY) to their driver’s license. Most people have the option of completing the process entirely online; however, students who are under the age of 18 and/or have an out-of-state driver’s license must schedule an in-person appointment with their local branch office.

Students who are under the age of 18 and/or have an out-of-state driver’s license must also request from their instructor a MSF-branded completion card before class is dismissed. This completion card must be provided, during an in-person appointment with a local branch office, along with the documentation required to apply for a Michigan driver’s license.

Students aged 15-17 are permitted to take the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) if they have a graduated driver’s license; however, a parent or legal guardian must accompany them on the first day of class to sign the course waiver.

Students must bring their eCourse certificate of completion and all of the required riding gear and supplies; please refer to our Riding Gear & Other Requirements.

No; students must provide their own riding gear and supplies; please refer to our Riding Gear & Other Requirements.

Standard Weekend students need to be available, but not necessarily on-site, for all of Saturday and Sunday. Students are placed into groups during classroom instruction on Friday; those in Group A will ride in the morning, and those in Group B will ride in the afternoon. While we do our best to accommodate student schedules, we cannot guarantee placement into either specified group. Please reserve any requests for your instructor on Friday.

The MSF ePackage 1 eCourse provides the fundamentals of motorcycling by integrating the MSF Basic eCourse (Level I Classroom Content) and Human Factors eCourse (Level II Classroom Content) into one, five-hour online course that students must complete before their first in-person session.

Every student enrolled in a Basic RiderCourse (BRC) must complete the MSF ePackage 1 eCourse; it lays the foundation of motorcycling and is a core component of the curriculum. Students must complete the eCourse before their first in-person session and provide their certificate of completion to the instructor on the first day of class; failure to provide this certificate of completion will result in dismissal from the course and forfeiting your registration fee.

The College will send a registration link to the MSF ePackage 1 eCourse via email to all registered students at least one week prior to the class start date; if you have not received an email by this time, you must contact the office of Personal & Professional Learning by emailing [email protected] or calling (734) 462-4448.

Students must ensure they have a valid email address on file in Ocelot Access during the registration process.

Note: Entering or changing your email address on the payment page does not update the email address on your student profile.

No; the cost of the eCourse is incorporated into the cost of your class. The College will send a registration link for the MSF ePackage 1 eCourse via email at least one week prior to the class start date; however, if you do not enroll via our provided link, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) will assess an additional, non-refundable fee.

Yes; students without computer access and/or internet access may use computers at a local library, including the library at Schoolcraft College. If you plan to use the library at Schoolcraft College, please bring a copy of your class confirmation or payment receipt with you for identification purposes.

The eCourse takes a minimum of 5 hours to complete. Students can set their own pace, repeat segments as needed, and complete it in multiple sittings. Progress is automatically saved throughout the eCourse.

The eCourse certificate of completion is valid for 30 days.

Only students with an approved retake form from a previous class can attempt a walk-in registration. 

You may attempt a walk-in registration by arriving to class at least fifteen minutes before the scheduled start time. Be prepared to complete registration paperwork, provide payment, and attend all class sessions. Keep in mind that availability is not guaranteed; the number of available walk-in spots is determined by the number of registered students who do not show up.

You must provide your retake form, eCourse certificate of completion, and all the required riding gear and supplies; please refer to our Riding Gear & Other Requirements.

You will need to retake the class.

If you did not pass both the Knowledge Test and Rider Skill Test, you will need to retake the entire course. Keep in mind your eCourse certificate is valid for only 30 days.

If you passed the Knowledge Test but not the Rider Skill Test, you will be given a retake form by the instructor. This form can be used to waive the eCourse (online component) and Knowledge Test if used within 60 days of the date it was issued.

You will have to register and pay again if you retake the course. Your retake form must be presented to the instructor at the start of class. You can register online via Ocelot Access or in-person via the Registration Office at the McDowell Student Center on Main Campus.

Alternatively, you may attempt to register as a walk-in student on the first day of class; however, keep in mind availability is not guaranteed. You will need to provide payment and your retake form at this time.

Yes; you can register online via Ocelot Access or in-person via the Registration Office at the McDowell Student Center on Main Campus. Alternatively, you may attempt to register as a walk-in student on the first day of class; however, keep in mind availability is not guaranteed. You will need to provide payment and your retake form at this time.

You do not need to retake the eCourse if you passed the Knowledge Test, received a retake form from the instructor, and enroll in another BRC that begins no more than 60 days from the date on your retake letter.

You need to retake the eCourse if you did not pass the Knowledge Test and do not to enroll in another BRC before your eCourse certificate of completion expires (30 days from the date it was issued).

No; however, students who have been riding with a temporary instruction permit (TIP) will be better prepared for class. Students with a TIP may instead want to consider taking the Basic RiderCourse 2 (BRC2).