The Advanced Rider Course (ARC) is the civilian version of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation military sport bike course but it can be taken on any stock street legal motorcycle. It is a course designed for experienced riders. For the purposes of this course, an experienced rider is one who has the basic skills and is a current rider with a motorcycle license.
The ARC is designed to complement and build on the skills learned and practiced in other rider courses. Special emphasis is given to self-assessment, risk management, rider behavior, riding strategies and overall skill development, particularly in braking, cornering and swerving techniques.
The ARC is taught by Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) Approved and Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Certified Instructors/RiderCoaches specially trained on the ARC. It is an all-day class consisting of approximately three hours of classroom activities and five hours of riding exercises.
Participants use their personal motorcycle. Personal motorcycles must be street legal, must be in good operating condition and must pass a routine pre-ride check, T-CLOC, given as a part of the course. Riders must accept all liability for the use of their motorcycle in the course. The Program will not be responsible for any damage to a rider’s motorcycle as a result of their participation. Riders are to provide their own riding gear, which includes:
- A Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218 compliant helmet:
- Any style of compliant helmet may be worn, but the Program recommends the full-face, or modular, a.k.a. flip-up and open-face, a.k.a. ¾ style helmets because they provide the most protection for a novice rider;
- All labeling, exterior and interior, must be intact;
- Be in good condition with no damage to the outer shell or have an excessively worn interior lining; and
- Must fit properly.
- Jacket or sturdy long-sleeved shirt.
- Full fingered gloves.
- Long pants of sturdy material. Cannot have any tears or holes.
- Over-the-ankle foot wear, preferably with a heel.
Ideally, motorcycle specific riding gear should be used.
Because of the high level of traction required, riding activities will NOT be conducted if the riding surface is wet. The classroom activities will be conducted, and the riding portion rescheduled for another time.
During the riding activities, each rider will be evaluated by the instructors on their ability to accomplish the objectives of the activity. Riders that cannot demonstrate minimum riding proficiency will not be allowed to continue. Riders who are not allowed to continue will not be eligible for a refund and may have to pay an additional fee to be enrolled in the BRC2.
To complete the course riders must pass a 20-question knowledge test administered at the end of the classroom activities. Riders must also meet the objectives of the riding activities. Riders completing the course will receive a Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program Completion Card.
General Information
Participants are to ride their own motorcycles. Motorcycles with sidecars, or trikes may not be used.
- Course participants are required to report to the scheduled session regardless of the weather.
- The course is conducted by the MDOT MVA and meets or exceeds the standards established by the MSF.
- Because of the requirements of the riding activities this course will only be offered at the following training centers:
- Harley-Davidson of Frederick
- Wor-Wic Community College
Student Requirements
- Must be a licensed motorcycle operator.
- Must wear the proper riding gear.
- Personal motorcycles must be in good mechanical condition, have all the required equipment and must be properly tagged and insured.
- Must attend the entire course, pass the knowledge test and satisfactorily complete the riding activities.
