Several months ago I started the process of getting my motorcycle endorsement to my Utah driver license. The written test was a piece of cake, but everyone warned me about how hard the skills test would be. Luckily, they don’t let you take your skills test until several months after you take your written test. I think this is mostly due to the number of people waiting to take the skills test. Today was the day I was scheduled to take the skills test.

I had never practiced any of the tests I would be asked to perform on my scooter, so I was a bit anxious going into the test. I hadn’t even read exactly what the tests would be until this morning before the test. The one bit of confidence I had was everyone saying how much easier the test would be on such a small machine. Apparently the cone weave and U-turn are almost impossible to perform on a large bike, like a Harley.

When I arrived at the DMV, I wondered if it was closed. There were only 3 or 4 cars in the parking lot. I was so confused. The day I took my written test, the entire parking lot was full. As luck would have it, Thursdays are just like that… empty. I parked my scooter and started walking in when I noticed a guy on a large Harley being tested. I watched for a minute. He seemed to be doing just fine, but it was hard to tell.

I walked straight to the test counter, showed them my temporary license and motorcycle registration, and they told me to go right out and take my test. The guy on the Harley was just finishing up. He passed with no mistakes. My confidence grew. Maybe this skills test isn’t such a big deal after all.

The gentleman giving me instructions started shooting the breeze with me, asking me if I went to BYU (no), Provo High School (no), if I was married (yes), how long I had been married (7 years), how many kids I have (none), etc. Then he started telling jokes about how he didn’t have kids for the first 4 years he was married and he still reminds his kids that those were the best 4 years of his life. When he switched into joke mode, I figured I was going to be fine. Looking back on it now, I think he probably does it to help those taking the test to relax. It definitely worked on me. The tests were a piece of cake. I passed with no mistakes.

Minutes later I had my new temporary license and started riding back to work… all before my scheduled time to start my skills test. Thursdays at the DMV are the best. I’ll have to remember that the next time I need to renew my license.