Scooters are classified as motorcycles and share the same risks as motorcycles. Learning the skills and knowledge for safe scooter riding is always a good idea, whether you ride your scooter to school or work every day or ride it just for pleasure.
The typical scooter is simpler to operate than a motorcycle, as there is no clutch and no shifting required. The skills found lacking in crash-involved riders; however, are cornering (the ability to take curves smoothly and stay on the road), braking (the ability to stop quickly), and swerving (the ability to go around a hazard). These skills are just as challenging on a scooter as on a motorcycle.
Absolutely! We do provide motorcycles for our Basic, Intermediate, and Intro to Riding courses, but you may choose to ride your own scooter any STAR classes with the exception of the three-wheel classes.
Your scooter must be 400 ccs or less in the Basic and Intro to Riding courses, but there is no size limit for the Intermediate.
For All-Scooter courses (Intermediate) or Enhanced Skills courses, you must bring your own scooter (no size limit).
Any time you use your own scooter or motorcycle in a STAR course, you must bring proof of insurance with you and the instructor must verify the vehicle is in safe operating condition. The Pre-Ride Inspection inspection is a useful tool to determine if your bike is in safe operating condition. If you bring a motorcycle or scooter that is not yours, then you must bring written permission from the owner for you to use the vehicle during the class.
Yes. Scooter riders need a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license to operate their scooters on public roads.
If you are over 21, you’ll need to pass both a written and skills test to get your endorsement.
Successful completion of a STAR Basic or Intermediate course will waive the skills test portion of the endorsement. If you are under 21, you are required to take and pass a certified rider training course, such as an Idaho STAR course. You’ll also need to pass a written test at your local driver licensing office.
In order to operate on public roads, scooters, just like motorcycles, must be:
