FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

With successful completion of the written and riding evaluation for the Basic RiderCourse and the riding evaluation for the Experienced RiderCourse, you will be issued a course completion card. The State of Alaska, Department of Motor Vehicles, also known as the DMV accepts this card as proof that you have taken the class. Take your Course Completion card to the DMV within on year of class completion and they will give you a new license, assuming that you don’t have any outstanding warrants, traffic violations or parking tickets. Keep in mind, the Anchorage Police Department and Alaska State Troopers do not accept this card so you need to go to the DMV, wait in line, fill out the forms, play with the pencils and sit on the bench and get a new license. You get a new picture too.

Classes are held at 4700 Elmore Road (Formerly South Bragaw) in the Municipal Permit office building. Come early to the first night of class because there is always a waiting list and if you show up late you might be booted out of the class. The classroom door is by the grill, not the front glass door. Click to see map.

• Helmet. We have loaner helmets for the Kickstart and BasicRider courses.
• Eye protection. Glasses (prescription, not fashion), sunglasses or safety glasses.
• Long sleeves in the form of a jacket, sweatshirt or a long sleeve t-shirt. Think layers. If it is hot you will want to take your jacket or sweatshirt off and you need to have long sleeves for a variety of reasons.
• Gloves. Full-finger leather or riding gloves. Absolutely NO fingerless gloves allowed.
• Pants that aren’t loose around the ankles. Leave your bell bottoms at home.
• Over the ankle footwear. You need ankle support when you are riding. Sturdy boots, over the ankles and lace-ups are acceptable. Open toed sandals are expressly PROHIBITED.
• Raingear, just in case. We call it rain insurance.
• Water, granola bars, etc. There are portable toilets but no other facilities.

What if it rains? Do you stay at home from work/school when it rains? Do you leave your bike in the garage if it rains? Will you ever get caught in the rain? Rain is something you will face as a rider and we still teach in the rain. Riding in the rain is more fun that you might think, so don’t worry about it.

We have an extremely high passing rate. Take it easy and have some fun. In the event that you do not successfully complete the riding evaluation you are allowed one re-test within 30 days. Don’t beat yourself up, it happens.   Retests are done on Thursdays, please call Alaska Leather to schedule.

The Basic RiderCourse starts with a classroom session attended by all of the students. That’s approximately 6pm till 10pm on the first night. The class is split into a morning and afternoon session with the morning session students starting on the range at 8:00 am till around noon and the afternoon session students are on the range from about 1pm till around 6:00 pm.

We will then repeat the range times on the second day: 8am for the morning session and 1pm for the afternoon session. The riding evaluation is conducted at the end of your range time on the second day. There is no classroom on the second day so once you are done, around noon for the morning class and around 5pm for the afternoon class, you are done.

All class ending times are approximate and based on the actual start time of the class as well as the advance preparation of the students. When you pay for the class you will be given the course book and your homework assignment. Do your homework and your time spent in class will go quicker. Range times vary due to rider participation, weather and other random factors. It is helpful to the class as a whole if you show up early for everything. Showing up early for the range gets you riding sooner and showing up early for class allows you to ask questions. Show up early.

Don’t plan on staying up all night either night. You will be spending a minimum of four (4) hours riding each day so take it easy and get as much rest as you can.

If you are taking Kickstart or Basic RiderCourse then you do not need a bike. ABATE of Anchorage provides a variety of motorcycles under 500cc’s for you to learn to ride on.

If you are taking the Basic RiderCourse 2 or the Basic Rider Course 2 with passenger then you need to bring your own bike. For this course we recommend that you are familiar with your bike.

No. You do not need a motorcycle permit for either the Basic RiderCourse or the Basic RiderCourse 2.

When you sign up. Paying for the course when you sign up is your commitment to show up and we’ll be glad to see you!

The Basic RiderCourse costs $295.00

No, however you may show up at the classroom the first night of class at 5:45PM. You must be pre-registered with homework in hand. We will choose standby names (randomly) at 6:15PM if there are slots available.

What if you’re late for a cruise? The ship sails without you. Your slot will be given away to standby person at 6:15PM no ifs, ands or buts. If you are late for ANY scheduled session, you will not be allowed to continue the course.

Upon successful completion of either the Basic or Experienced RiderCourses you will get a Course Completion Card, this card waives the driving portion of the states requirements, you will need to take a written test with the DMV/UMV in order to place a Motorcycle Endorsement on your license.

The Basic RiderCourse 2 takes approximately 5- 6 hours and it runs from 5:00 to 10:30 PM or later. Only one evening! There is no classroom indoor for the Basic RiderCourse 2, it’s all done outside. There are both skills (riding) knowledge (multiple choice) tests. The Basic RiderCourse 2 is being offered Friday evenings. The Basic RiderCourse 2 with Passenger is in conjunction with the Basic RiderCourse 2, just sign up for the experienced course and bring your passenger.

We have a lot of fun but we are serious about your learning. Participation is the key to your success. And if you miss any classroom or show up late for the range then you are done. No excuses.

You do not need a motorcycle endorsement. You need street-legal motorcycle with current registration and proof of insurancee. Perfect for recent BRC graduates, great as a spring refresher, to sharpen skills, or to get more comfortable with that new or new-to-you bike. If desired, this course may also be taken while carrying a dedicated passenger.

Yes, you must use your own motorcycle to practice and become comfortable with managing traction, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving.

Even if you've been riding for some time, there is always something new to learn or re-learn. Seasoned riders need to keep skills sharp to avoid complacency and stay out of trouble! This is a great opportunity to improve basic street riding techniques and crash-avoidance maneuvers, or to get more comfortable with that new or new-to-you bike. This is also the only course that may be taken while carrying a dedicated passenger.

Braking, swerving, limited-space maneuvers, cornering judgment, multiple curves hazard avoidance. This is a great opportunity to improve street riding techniques and crash-avoidance maneuvers.

Qualified graduates may receive insurance premium discounts with some motorcycle insurers.

Yes.

The Basic RiderCourse 2 - With Passenger, takes approximately 5- 6 hours and it runs from 5:00 to 10:30 PM or later. Only one evening! There is no classroom indoor for the Basic RiderCourse 2 - With Passenger, it's all done outside. There are both skills (riding) knowledge (multiple choice) tests. The Basic RiderCourse 2 - With Passenger, is being offered Friday evenings. The Basic RiderCourse 2 - With Passenger, is in conjunction with the Basic RiderCourse 2, just sign up for the course and bring your passenger.

We have a lot of fun but we are serious about your learning. Participation is the key to your success. And if you miss any classroom or show up late for the range then you are done. No excuses.

You do not need a motorcycle endorsement. You need street-legal motorcycle with current registration and proof of insurancee. Perfect for recent BRC graduates, great as a spring refresher, to sharpen skills, or to get more comfortable with that new or new-to-you bike. If desired, this course may also be taken while carrying a dedicated passenger.

Yes, you must use your own motorcycle to practice and become comfortable with managing traction, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving.

You must provide a motorcycle with current registration, proof of insurance and a Motorcycle Permit. The motorcycle must be street legal and in good operating condition.

You will need to bring proof of satisfactory completion of the Road Test to the DMV office for your motorcycle endorsement. The DMV does charge a fee for the endorsement.