General
Navy Motorcycle Safety Programs
- How can I replace a
lost RiderCourse completion card? Records of persons trained
are retained only by the training site. Neither the Naval Safety
Center or Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) maintain lists.
Therefore, only the location where you took your training can issue a
duplicate card. However, they are NOT under any obligation to do
so. It is highly recommended that students make sure all
training is properly annotated in their personnel records. The
MSF completion card may be laminated.
- I took the course
several years ago, however my new command is requiring that I take
again. What's the policy? It is the option of the local
command to require retraining when reassigned or to assume an
expiration time on a completion card (usually three years). The
Naval Safety Center strongly recommends retraining in areas of high
traffic density (e.g., Southern California), or different driving
cultures (Japan, Europe). .
- I ride in a climate
where it is extremely hot. What's the rationale behind long sleeved
upper garment? How much protection will a long-sleeved shirt or
lightweight jacket provide in a crash anyway? Some riders
assume that requirements for military riders are made by people who
have never ridden, and are designed to discourage people from riding.
Actually, the opposite is true. The requirements for Personal
Protective Equipment on motorcycles come from recommendations provided
by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and safety professionals involved
in military motorcycle training programs. Nearly all these
people ride extensively. Research in motorcycle mishaps dictates
most policy. In the case of long sleeved garments, the primary purpose
is to prevent excessive water loss from exposed skin to sun and wind.
The initial effects of dehydration can be subtle - and eventually
mental capacity will be severely affected. As far as the amount
of protection in a crash - leather provides the most protection
against abrasion. Some riders feel that if it is too hot to wear
protective gear that will reduce injury in a crash - it's just too
hot to ride. It's not much different than deciding not to ride
because there is snow or ice on the road. It's all part
of Operational Risk Management: how much risk am I willing to accept?
- Do motorcycle programs
conducted by the state meet the Navy requirements? Most of
the states offering Learn to Ride or Basic Riding courses use the
Motorcycle Safety Foundations, Basic Rider Course (BRC). These
courses meet the requirements stated in OPNAVINST 5100.12H Change 1.
Graduates of these courses should be issued a completion card.
Some states issue a completion card unique to their state. If
you plan to register your motorcycle on base, you may want to request
an MSF Card. This may save time and aggravation when you move to
another state. If the local program does not issue MSF cards,
contact the Safety Center. In courses conducted by the state,
motorcycles are provided. Often riders prefer to take the
state-sponsored course if they do not wish to use their personal
motorcycle in the course. Costs are quite reasonable. States
that do not offer the MSF Basic Rider Course are Idaho, Oregon, and
Hawaii. Military
bases in Hawaii offer the Basic Rider Course.
- I started to ride
motorcycles while stationed overseas and have since returned to the
U.S. I took the military RiderCourse overseas - do I need to
obtain a motorcycle endorsement on my state license? This is
a common situation with people who learn to ride overseas. A
completion card or a SoFA license is NOT a license endorsement!
Some states will recognize the training (your card) as a waiver for
the riding (road) test required for a motorcycle endorsement -
others will not. You should check with your state when you
return. DO NOT RIDE UNLICENSED!
- Why will my state not
accept the course from the state I am in? Is it not the same course?
There are only a handful of states that will accept a
course from another state or military installation.
The Safety Center is currently updating that list and will post
it when complete.
- Where do I find out
information about requirements for military members riding
motorcycles? OPNAVINST 5100.12H Change 1 contains information on
requirements for military members riding motorcycles.
- Do I have to have a
(motorcycle) license or endorsement to take a course on base? No,
All that is required to take a motorcycle safety course is a valid
drivers license.
Emergency Vehicle Operator's Course (EVOC)
- What says I must have EVOC training? OPNAVINST
5100.12H Change 1, Navy Traffic Safety Program and MCO 5100.19D, Marine Corps Traffic Safety
Program (DRIVESAFE) state that individuals shall not be assigned as a driver of DOD police
vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, and crash and rescue vehicles until they have completed
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Emergency Vehicle Operator Course
(EVOC) conducted by an approved instructor or other training approved by COMNAVSAFECEN or
CMC (SD).
- Do I have to possess a commercial driver license to drive a fire
apparatus? Most state regulations exempt military fire fighters from
commercial driver license requirements. However, civilians may be required to obtain a
special non-commercial driver license with a special endorsement for the weight and class
of vehicle to be driven whether it is on or off base. It really depends upon the
state where the base is located. Recommend you contact your state commercial driver
license official for regulations within you state.
- Do all emergency vehicle operators (police, fire and ambulance)
and anyone else who drives a vehicle with lights and siren, have to possess an OF-346 U.S.
Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card? Yes! In
accordance with DOD 4500.36-R, Management, Acquisition, and Use of Motor Vehicles, NAVFAC
P-300, Management of Civil Engineering Support Equipment and Marine Corps TM-11240-15/3B,
Motor Vehicle License Examiners Handbook, all emergency vehicle operators shall have in
their possession an OF-346.
- Is EVOC training and qualification for emergency vehicles
transferable from base to base? Your knowledge and skills are
transferable, but broad based acceptance of training for certification should not
be. The intent of the EVOC program is to indoctrinate the emergency vehicle
driver/operator to their department's EVOC program SOP's, vehicle types, terrain, legal
aspects of driving emergency vehicles in the state or host nation, and acquire the ability
to drive and operate the assigned vehicle and on board equipment in a safe and efficient
manner. The time to accomplish this will vary from person to person and vehicle to
vehicle.
- Once qualified as an EVOC instructor, can I certify other
personnel to drive emergency vehicles other than what I’m qualified to drive?
The level of expertise, familiarization, vehicle licensing and command mission all have to
be weighed to answer this question. The intent of the EVOC program is that personnel
who teach and certify drivers should be in the same department where the vehicles are
assigned. Generally, departments take a greater interest in the EVOC program due to
vicarious liability issues when their emergency vehicles are involved in crashes. An
unassuming EVOC instructor who certifies drivers in a department he has no authority or
expertise in will have a tough time trying to take corrective action and may be held
accountable for their actions. You may want to reconsider.
- When and where is your next EVOC class? Click on Course Schedule in the Motor Vehicle home page.
- Can I teach EVOC training to civilian fire, police and EMS
departments? The Naval Safety Center encourages EVOC instructors to share
their knowledge with all those they can. However, certifying emergency vehicle drivers
that are not Department of Defense employees places certain liability (civil and
vicarious) on the individual EVOC instructor. Check with your command’s legal
office.
Driver Improvement Training:
- How does my command host a AAA Driver Improvement
Course? Send a letter to the Commander, Naval Safety Center Code
(42), 375 A Street Norfolk, VA 23511. We’ll include you on our schedule as soon as
possible. There’s no cost to the host command. Click on Course Schedule for more information.
- Who has to complete the training? OPNAVINST
5100.12H Change 1, Enclosure (1), and MCO 5100.19D, Enclosure (2), Paragraph 3 explains
who it applies to, when and why the training is needed.
- When is the next class/course? Review Course Schedule on the Traffic Page for more
information.
- Part of the instructor course certification requires a copy of my
state driving record. How do I get a copy of my driver’s record?
Contact the Division of Motor Vehicles in the state your license was issued.
- Where do I get a quota application to attend the AAA Driver
Improvement Program instructor course? Click on Application for a copy.
Safe Communities – What is it?
- Check out our page dealing specifically with Safe Communities’ programs on
the Motor Vehicle Web Page.
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