A new Florida law is making it more difficult for new motorcyclist to get their bikes on the road.
Bikers will now have to pass a safety course before they can get a license. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles says the goal is to improve safety and save lives.
Some bikers in Bay County have already signed up and started taking the course.
Until now, anyone over the age of 21 who wanted a motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license had to pass both a motorcycle driving and written test, but starting July 1 a new law will require all new riders to take a more comprehensive basic riders course.
Bill Tuttle, trainer, said, "Most riders who taught themselves how to ride literally ride their entire life and don't realize they're doing what they’re doing. We try to show the proper technique and try to illustrate we can't panic on a motorcycle."
The course is 15 hours long and it's broken down into 10 hours on the driving range and 5 hours in the class room.
After students complete the training sessions they take two tests a written and performance. These students are on their final day practicing basic riding maneuvers and review emergency stops.
For Jarred Mifsud, this class has given him the confidence he was looking for. He also believes all new riders should be required to take it
Jarred said, "They should have to do this, it really does help. I felt iffy being on a bike riding it and now I feel a lot more comfortable."
Had been riding his entire adult life and says this course does more than teach new bikers it creates cautious drivers.
"As you take this course you start looking for motorcycles you start looking for things they are doing incorrectly or correctly. You start driving your car differently and all of them add up to you being a safer driver there's no question about it."
To find a course in your area you can visit the Department of Highway Safety Vehicles at www.flhsmv.gov.