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What is the Motorcycle Rider Education (MRE) Program?

Iowa’s Motorcycle Rider Education (MRE) Program, administered by the DOT, offers Basic (BRC), Intermediate (BRC II), and Advanced (ARC) courses from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).

  • BRC: 15 hours (5 classroom, 10 range).
  • BRC II: 5 hours, mostly range.
  • ARC: One-day course improving perception, hazard awareness, braking, and cornering.

Passing both a knowledge and skills test is required to receive  a certificate of completion.

Basic skills taught include:

  • Mental preparedness
  • Perception development
  • Situational awareness
  • Risk evaluation & evasive strategies
  • Riding in a straight line
  • Turning
  • Shifting
  • Stopping

The next level of instruction is the application of these basic skills to on-street riding conditions.

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Who Teaches It?

Only Iowa-licensed, MSF-certified rider coaches teach the BRC and BRC II programs.

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Who Can or Must Take It?

Any person 14 years of age or older, whether licensed or not licensed for motorcycle, may take the course to learn, refresh or improve safe riding skills. The licensing skills test may be waived upon successful completion of the course.

Any person under the age of 18 who wants a motorcycle license must successfully complete the motorcycle rider education course before the motorcycle license will be issued.

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What Does it Cost?

Motorcycle rider education in Iowa is supported in part by an additional fee of $2 per year for a motorcycle validations, a portion from the sale of MRE license plates and the balance comes from the student tuition. Your out-of-pocket cost, which varies by sponsor and course, ranges from $150-$349 for the Basic Rider Course and $75-$125 for the Basic Rider Course II.

Some sponsoring locations offer vouchers to assist with motorcycle course costs. Please contact your sponsoring location to see if they are offering vouchers and details on eligibility.  

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Where Can I Take It?

The training season, somewhat weather dependent, varies throughout the state. However, the course is generally available from early April through mid-October.

Motorcycle Rider Education Courses

SponsorsLocationsCourses Offered
ABATE of Iowa Inc.AlgonaBRC, BRC2, 3WBRC, ARC
ABATE of Iowa Inc.Council BluffsBRC, BRC2, 3WBRC
ABATE of Iowa Inc.HamptonBRC
ABATE of Iowa Inc.PekinBRC, BRC2
ABATE of Iowa Inc.Spirit LakeBRC, BRC2
ABATE of Iowa Inc.WaterlooBRC
ABATE of Iowa Inc.Cherokee
Clinton
Forest City
Marshalltown
Ogden
BRC, BRCII, 3WBRC, ARC
Big Barn Harley DavidsonDes MoinesBRC
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)AnkenyBRC, ARC
Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport
Muscatine
Clinton
BRC, BRCII
Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterlooBRC, 3WBRC
Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwaBRC
Iowa Central Community CollegeFort DodgeBRC
Iowa Lakes Community CollegeSpencerBRC
Iowa Valley Community CollegeMarshalltownBRC
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids
Iowa City
BRC, BRCII, 3WBRC
Loess Hills Harley DavidsonPacific JunctionBRC, BRCII, ARC, 3WBRC
McGrath Hawkeye Harley DavidsonCoralvilleBRC
Northeast Iowa Community College - CalmarCalmarBRC
Northeast Iowa Community College - PeostaPeostaBRC
Northwest Iowa Community CollegeSheldonBRC
Southeastern Iowa Community CollegeWest BurlingtonBRC, BRC II
Southwestern Community CollegeCrestonBRC
Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux CityBRC

 

Guide to Motorcycle Rider Education Course Names:

  • BRC= Basic Rider Course
  • BRCII = Basic Rider Course Two (or “Experienced Rider Course”)
  • ARC = Advanced Rider Course
  • 3WBRC = 3-Wheel Basic Rider Course

For more detailed descriptions of these courses, visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's website.

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Moped Instructors

It is recommended you take a moped safety course before operating your moped. If you are at least 14-years-old, but under age 16, a moped safety course is required by law. The following contains a list of Iowa community colleges that offer moped safety courses.

Moped Education SponsorPrimary LocationPhone
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)Ankeny515-965-7450
Nishna Valley CycleAtlantic712-254-1332
Hawkeye Community CollegeCedar Falls319-296-4005
Kirkwood Community CollegeCedar Rapids319-398-7130
Drive WiseClear Lake641-529-2003  
Iowa Western Community CollegeCouncil Bluffs712-325-3265
Southwestern Community CollegeCreston641-782-1441
Eastern Iowa Community College DistrictDavenport563-336-3300
Iowa Lakes Community CollegeEmmetsburg712-852-5206
Iowa Central Community CollegeFort Dodge515-574-1971
North Iowa Area Community CollegeGarner641-923-2252
University ScootersIowa City319-333-1368
Kelly's Auto & PowersportsIowa City319-337-0500
Lemars Community School DistrictLemars712-548-4453
Iowa Valley Community CollegeMarshalltown641-752-4645
Woodbury Central CSDMoville712-873-3456
Bandy Motorcycle TrainingNorth Liberty319-626-2014
Indian Hills Community CollegeOttumwa641-683-5216
Northeast Iowa Community College - CalmarPeosta844-642-2338
Northeast Iowa Community College - PeostaPeosta844-642-2338
Northwest Iowa Community CollegeSheldon712-631-5654
Driven School Of DrivingSioux Center712-441-4691
Western Iowa Tech Community CollegeSioux City712-274-8733
Spirit Lake Middle School     Spirit Lake712-339-5834  
Dickinson County Sheriff's OfficeSpirit Lake712-461-2484
Southeastern Iowa Community CollegeWest Burlington319-208-5384
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