How often should you take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course? It's a question more riders ask than you'd think, and the answer depends on where you are in your riding life. Beginners need it to get started. Experienced riders use it to sharpen habits that quietly slip over time. And returning riders, those who stepped away for a season or a decade, almost always say they should have taken a refresher sooner.
This guide breaks down who should take an MSF course, how frequently, and which course level fits your situation. You'll also find answers to the questions riders search most, plus a side-by-side comparison of course options so you can choose the right one.
Whether you're brand new to two wheels or you've been riding for years, there's a version of this training built for you.
Motorcycle Safety Foundation course exercise on a closed range' width='1200' height='675'>What the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course Actually Is
The MSF course is a structured training program built around one goal: reducing rider crashes and fatalities. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1973, develops the curriculum used by rider training programs across the country. Most state licensing agencies accept MSF course completion in place of a DMV skills test.
There are multiple course levels, not just one. Riders often think of the Basic RiderCourse as the only option, but the MSF curriculum includes everything from entry-level training to advanced street strategies. Each level targets a specific stage of rider development.
The Basic RiderCourse: Where Most Riders Start
The MSF Basic RiderCourse is the standard starting point. It combines online or classroom knowledge work with hands-on range exercises. You don't need your own motorcycle, and you don't need prior experience. Most states accept BRC completion as your skills test waiver for a motorcycle endorsement.
The Basic RiderCourse curriculum covers braking, turning, swerving, and hazard awareness. It's typically completed over a weekend. Honest answer: most people leave feeling far more prepared than they expected.
The MSF eCourse: Online Learning That Pairs with Range Work
The MSF eCourse replaces the classroom portion of the Basic RiderCourse with an online module. You complete the knowledge section at home, then show up for the riding exercises. It saves time and works well for people with packed schedules. Some providers list it as a DMV approved motorcycle safety course, so check availability in your area.
Advanced and Returning Rider Options
Beyond the basics, the MSF offers the Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) and the Basic RiderCourse2 (BRC2), both designed for riders who already have seat time. These courses address high-risk scenarios, cornering precision, and emergency response at speed. They're not beginner material, but they're exactly what riders who've been at it for years actually need.
How Often Should You Take the MSF Course? A Realistic Framework
There's no universal rule that says "take the MSF course every X years." The right frequency depends on your experience level, how much you ride, and whether anything significant has changed in your riding life. Here's a framework that makes sense for most riders.
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New riders should complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic RiderCourse before getting on a street motorcycle solo. Full stop. The skills you build in a controlled range environment don't come naturally, and the range is the right place to make mistakes.
After completing the BRC, most new riders benefit from taking the BRC2 or an advanced course within their first year or two of riding, once they've accumulated enough real-world experience to make the advanced exercises meaningful.
Experienced Riders: Every Three to Five Years Is a Reasonable Benchmark
Riding habits degrade slowly. You won't notice it happening. Brake-input timing softens. Scan patterns narrow. Reaction to sudden hazards gets a half-second slower. Refresher training every three to five years catches these drifts before they become problems.
Many insurance companies also offer premium discounts for completing a motorcycle safety course online or in person, so there's a financial reason to retake it beyond the obvious safety one. Check with your insurer about what they accept as a DPS approved motorcycle safety course.
Returning Riders: Retake the Course Anytime You've Been Away a Season or More
If you put the bike away last October and it's now May, your muscle memory has faded more than you think. Riders returning after a layoff of six months or more should strongly consider a refresher course before heading back to busy roads. After a year away, the BRC or BRC2 is worth doing fully.
MSF Basic RiderCourse participants practicing low-speed maneuvers on a training range' width='1200' height='675'>Rider Scenarios: Matching Course Frequency to Your Situation
Different riders have different needs. The table below maps common rider situations to recommended course timing, so you can find where you fit and what to do next.
| Rider Situation | Recommended Course | Suggested Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Never ridden before | MSF Basic RiderCourse (BRC) | Before first solo ride |
| Less than 2 years of experience | BRC2 or Intermediate Course | Within first 1-2 years |
| 3+ years of active riding | Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) | Every 3-5 years |
| Returning after 6+ months off | BRC2 or Refresher Program | Before returning to roads |
| Switching to a new bike type (sport, touring, ADV) | ARC or type-specific clinic | When changing bike category |
| Had a close call or minor crash | Any MSF course at current level | As soon as you're ready to ride again |
| Teen or young adult (under 21) | BRC (required in most states) | Before licensing, refresher after 2 years |
Signs You Should Retake a Motorcycle Safety Course Now
Some riders wait for a scheduled interval. Others should go sooner. Here are the situations where waiting doesn't make sense.
Your Confidence Feels Off After a Scare
A close call, a tip-over in a parking lot, a near-miss at an intersection, any of these can shake your confidence in ways that quietly affect your riding. Structured training helps reset both skill and mindset. Managing rider anxiety after a close call often starts with getting back to basics in a controlled environment.
You've Switched Bike Types
Moving from a standard to a sport bike, from a cruiser to an adventure bike, or from a small displacement to a large one changes how your motorcycle responds to every input. Your old habits don't transfer directly. A course that puts you through precision drills on your new machine type is time very well spent.
Your Riding Has Gotten Sloppy (And You Know It)
Honestly, most experienced riders can tell when they've developed bad habits. Wide turns, late braking, inconsistent lane position. If you catch yourself doing things you know aren't right, that's the signal. Common riding mistakes are far easier to fix in training than on the road.
Finding a motorcycle safety course near you
The MSF curriculum is taught through licensed training providers across all 50 states. Most urban and suburban areas have multiple course locations within a reasonable drive. Rural riders sometimes need to plan ahead, but courses are more widely available than most people expect.
How to Search for Local Options
The fastest way to find a motorcycle safety course near you is to use the MSF's course finder at msf-usa.org or contact your state's motorcycle safety program directly. Many states run subsidized programs through their DMV, so costs vary widely, sometimes the course is free or heavily discounted for state residents.
Montana-Specific Resources
Montana riders have access to state-supported training through the Montana Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Courses run throughout the riding season, primarily from spring through fall, and completing one waives the DMV skills test for your motorcycle endorsement. Our complete guide to motorcycle safety courses in Montana covers locations, costs, and how to register.
Online and Hybrid Course Formats
If your schedule makes a full weekend course difficult, motorcycle safety course online options let you complete the knowledge portion on your own time. The MSF eCourse is the most widely recognized format. Some states also accept fully online courses for license waiver purposes, while others require in-person range work regardless. Confirm what your state accepts before choosing a format.
Frequently Asked Questions About MSF Course Frequency
Is there a required interval for retaking the MSF course?
There's no federally mandated retake schedule for the MSF course. Some states require proof of recent training for certain license renewals or after a traffic violation, but most don't set a fixed interval. The three-to-five-year refresher guideline is a practical recommendation from rider safety experts, not a legal requirement. Check your state's specific rules if you're unsure what's required for your license status.
Does the MSF Basic RiderCourse expire?
Your MSF completion card doesn't technically expire for licensing purposes in most states, but insurance discounts tied to course completion often do, typically after three to five years. Some insurers require proof of a recently completed course to apply the discount. Even if your card is still valid, the skills behind it may need refreshing long before the paperwork does.
Can experienced riders take the Basic RiderCourse again, or do they need the advanced version?
Experienced riders can absolutely retake the Basic RiderCourse, and some instructors recommend it as a humbling but useful reset. That said, the Advanced RiderCourse is designed specifically for riders who already have real-world seat time. It covers high-speed hazard response, precision cornering, and complex traffic scenarios that the BRC doesn't address. If you've been riding regularly for more than two years, the ARC will push you further. Learn more about MSF course options to find the right fit.
Will retaking an MSF course lower my motorcycle insurance premium?
Many major insurers offer discounts of five to fifteen percent for completing a qualifying motorcycle safety course. The discount period typically runs three to five years. You'll usually need to submit your completion certificate directly to your insurer. Whether the course qualifies as a DPS approved motorcycle safety course or a DMV approved motorcycle safety course depends on your state and insurer, so confirm before you enroll if the discount is a factor in your decision.
What's the difference between the BRC, BRC2, and ARC?
The Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is for new riders with little or no experience. The BRC2 is a half-day skills update aimed at riders who completed the BRC but want a focused refresher, typically within two to three years of their first course. The Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) is for experienced riders and covers more complex techniques and street strategy. Each builds on the last, and they're designed to grow with you through your riding career.
Is the MSF course worth retaking if I've been riding for 20 years?
Yes, and many longtime riders say retaking an MSF course was one of the most valuable things they've done for their riding. Two decades of habits includes two decades of potential drift away from best practices. Range exercises reveal gaps that road riding never exposes because you don't have a controlled environment to isolate specific skills. The honest guide to motorcycle safety makes the case clearly: experience alone doesn't equal current competence.
Can I take the MSF course if I already have my motorcycle license?
Absolutely. Having a license doesn't disqualify you from any MSF course level, and millions of licensed riders take refresher or advanced courses every year. You won't need to retest for your endorsement since you already have it, but the skills training applies regardless of license status. Many riders use advanced courses to prepare for track days, long-distance touring, or simply to ride more confidently in daily traffic.
The Bottom Line on Course Frequency
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation course isn't a one-and-done event. Riding skills, like any physical skill, require maintenance. New riders should take the Basic RiderCourse before riding solo. Everyone else should assess their situation honestly, using the three-to-five-year benchmark as a starting point and retaking sooner after a layoff, a close call, or a significant bike change.
The riders who take training seriously, even after years on the road, are the ones who tend to keep riding safely for decades. If your last MSF course was more than a few years ago, or if you can't quite remember when it was, that's your answer. Find an MSF course near you and get back on the range. Your future self on the road will thank you.