If there’s one useful thing I learned from the New York Scooter Club forums, it was how to tackle the DMV.

Their tips:

- Visit the downtown location on Greenwich Street for a reasonably painless wait.
- Arrive prepared with completed paperwork.
- Arrive early, as in 8.30am-door’s-opening-early.

Given I knew today was going to be a snow blizzard, what better day than to hit the downtown DMV? Surely no-one else would be there. I could be in-and-out.

Got down there super early, about a half hour before the doors opened, and no-one else I’m pleased to say was crazy enough to wait out there in the snow. A trip to the deli and a coffee later I return to find about 20 people in line for the doors. Man.

Anyway, all’s well that ends well. I was in and out in less than half-an-hour (yes, the prepared paperwork helps.)

I couldn’t get over how easy the written test was. Something like 30 questions, and 25 of them were about alcohol. Now, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate drilling into heads the importance of not drink-driving but what ever happened to stopping-distance questions?

Reading the online version of the Motorcycle Manual was a must though for those questions that did come up (Alcohol ones included.) Devouring Proficient Motorcycling was overkill for the test but I have no doubt it’ll help later on.

Once the test was completed, I was handed a paper permit on the spot. Apparently the plastic card version will take a couple of weeks in the mail. Surprised?

Finally, a big hello to the nice German lady I met who was also taking her test to accompany the used ET4 she’d just bought on CraigsList. Good luck to you wherever you are. Apparently she’s also signed up for the MSS course.

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