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    Academy of Motorcycle Operation

    4.7 (619 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Kawasaki Eliminator 125 and Cafe bikes for practice
    Ariel C.

    1000% recommend!! I had zero experience on a motorcycle.. didn't even know where the clutch was kind of bad. I took the AMO beginner course and learned so much! Pros: -helmet/gloves provided -Fantastic online and in person instructors (patient, funny, knowledgeable). Shout out to Karima, Danny, Sonny, and Vincent!! - really focuses on safety - easy bikes to learn on (kawasaki eliminator 125) - can be for anyone with literally zero experience - only riding during morning or nights (it can get really hot in full gear midday) - as a student, I felt supported through the entire process - CHP endorsed and monitored - passing means certificate for the driving portion of the DMV test Cons: - loooong days. You get breaks, but it's a mentally tiring process for two days - a tad expensive, but they offer a lot of loaner gear to save you money in case you're unsure I took the Monterey park class, with on site instructors Danny and Karima. They were absolutely amazing! Clear instructions, extremely patient, super helpful, and would have funny remarks throughout the class. The driving portion was LONG. 5 hours each day for two days. But they give plenty of breaks and are very understanding. The online courses were also long. Three hours each session, two sessions over two days. SUPER informative. You're given all the material you need. I had Zoom classes where the camera had to be on. My husband and I took the course together and we were able to share one computer which I appreciated. The course includes a driving test and a written test. I was terrified for both, but AMO truly prepares you for it. If you don't pass the first time on either one, you can retake it again for free. If you don't pass the 2nd one, I think it's $25 for the 3rd retake. My entire class was able to pass both the driving and written. The course itself was a tad expensive ($350 for anyone 21+ older). But you truly get what you pay for, and it was worth it. There's no substitute for safety, especially in such a risky vehicle. Overall, i recommend this to anybody who's curious about motorcycles or knows they want a motorcycle. Once you pass both tests, you'll get a certificate to prove to the DMV you passed, and that waives your driving test requirement. And even if you pass, you don't NEED to get your license. This is a great way for those on the fence to truly see if this is what you want (much cheaper than buying a bike). Don't worry about looking like an idiot if you're totally new to this, everyone is understanding and truly cares about your safety.

    Newer 250cc and a smaller 125cc bikes were available for us.
    Leonardo S.

    Instructors were very positive, helpful, and engaging! All but one of the students passed the skills test at the end. The one student that didn't pass was due to them dropping the bike unfortunately, but they were also completely new to riding and able to take a retest in the near future. Over the two days, we students really bonded and had a great time. It was good vibes all around. Would recommend AMO for sure for the beginner course. Would also love if they did the Intermediate and Advanced Total Control classes.

    Cathy C.

    HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CLASS! Besides this being an introductory course and a FUN course, you also get a waiver to take the DMV written test to get your M1 license IF you pass the class exams . If you're paying attention and practicing in class, you should be fine. Truly a beginner course. I took the Pasadena, 2 day weekend course with a course of 6 students. Teachers were Karima and John. Class: The classroom training was very informative and it's vital to focus on the stats and speed zones for the test! Most of the exam questions are usually covered in the class by the instructor so just pay attention and answer the review questions towards the end of each lesson. They also allow retakes and you can see what you got wrong on the test to know what was wrong. 50 multiple questions, no more than 10 wrong answers. Field: The field training was pretty fun - especially for me as a beginner. I got to learn and use all the different controls - throttle, clutch, brakes, gears and it was really enjoyable once I got the hang of it. There's definitely an adrenaline feeling when speeding up on the tracks. Basics aside, the instructor will show you how to drive straight ahead, slow down, swerve, turns, and use your eyes to look. I was the "dumb" student and had the toughest time in the riding course, so if I made it then so can you! Everything was difficult for me but what really helped with was the coach's instructions. Every time I did something wrong, he would correct and advise how/what to do. Everyone else in the class was also very helpful and gave me really great advice when starting the vehicle and how to maneuver especially when there were a few pro riders in the beginner course. Throughout the entire course, I think the hardest part was just staying in the friction zone because my vehicle would stall a lot (it was a cruiser/eliminator). My instructor traded out an older bike for me because I was too short for the bike! Some of the students said my bike was older so it's a little finnicky and whenever I stopped, I would hold onto the clutch and not seconds later, it would just stall out so that was a little frustrating but after a couple tries, I slowly got the hang of it by holding onto the throttle ever so slightly. Practice is key - and learning what went wrong to apply to the next practice really helps.

    The practice range in Pasadena

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    9 months ago

    Great people. Good training. I highly recommend it . All the trainers were knowledgeable and patient and friendly.

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    11 months ago

    Ryan and Jacob were fantastic instructors. They make learning writing very natural highly recommend.

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    5 years ago

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    Page 1 of 16

    Academy of Motorcycle Operation Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Academy of Motorcycle Operation

    Do they offer Intermediate or advanced courses?

    Hello Donald, Yes we do offer 1DPC AKA IRC which is our Intermediate course. We typically try to provide 1-2 of those classes per month. Best way to get the info is to either check our website for an IRC or email our admin (in your confirmation… Read more

    Passing this course and the writing test at the dmv can I get my license after.?

    Yes, once you go through the course and pass the test at the end of the course, you won't need the riding test. You can go to DMV and just do the written test and get your license.

    How soon will classes start up again? How can get on that waiting list?

    Hi, as per their website, AMO courses are temporarily closed for enrollment, but you can write them at INFO@AMOSOCAL.COM and let them know that you are interested as they are looking into possible tools to do online classes. Hope that helps.

    Do you guys accept extreme beginners, including those who do not know how to shift gears?

    The MTC is designed for students who have never ridden a motorcycle, including learning the friction zone. However, one should have ridden a bicycle proficiently or have shown themselves their balance is very good in other balance-demanding sports… Read more

    Hello there my name is tomas and I am interested in taking the class my cuestión is do you have evening clases do to my work Schedule I can only do it on evening or weekends please let me know?

    While we do hold evening classroom sessions of the course, the CMSP does not permit evening riding classes. Our normal schedule is on the weekends, during the day. Go to AMOSOCAL.COM for more information and the schedule.

    Hi guys, are there any armenian speaking teachers?

    IIona, the only language used for the MTC is english.

    Can we rent a motorcycles here for the classes?

    The motorcycles are supplied and included in the price , as are the helmet and gloves ... how cool is that ?

    What is the price for the class Course.?

    I believe I paid $250. It's a really easy course, but I would recommend to read the DMV motorcycle handlers book they provide in your email once you sign up. The book will help you with the written test they give you in the class.

    Will enrolling at this program exempt me from doing the practical exam at the DMV? Like do I only need to take the written test at the DMV after the program?…

    Yea you get a form/waiver that would exempt you from doing the driving portion at the dmv. If you pass the class they give you that form. All you'd have to do is pass the written portion at the dmv… Read more

    View All 12 Questions

    Review Highlights - Academy of Motorcycle Operation

    Many thanks to AMO for giving me access to the knowledge, strategies, and techniques needed for motorcycle riding.

    Mentioned in 160 reviews

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    1 Driving School - "Mike was the coolest Instructor ever. Definitely prepared me for my test. I passed on the first try." --T.S. - Monrovia

    1 Driving School

    3.7(19 reviews)
    3.8 mi

    If I had to learn all over again, Mike would be my first choice! He deserves the 5 stars…read more I came to the lesson nervous about driving (I did the manual/stickshift lesson). I explained my concerns about learning stick and he addressed every one of them until I felt confident. I was nervous to drive the freeway and do an uphill start, but his guidance helped a lot. He's very patient and explains things clearly. Leagues above the instructors I had when I was learning for my license. I would trust him to teach my little brother how to drive when he practices for his license. Thanks Mike! You're a good dude and are awesome at teaching driving.

    I rarely leave one-star reviews, especially for businesses we've used before with success…read more Unfortunately, this experience was completely different -- and deeply disappointing. Several years ago, we used this driving school for my eldest daughter. Her instructor, Mike, was excellent: patient, professional, and well-organized. Based on that positive experience, we signed up again on December 27th for my middle daughter and specifically requested Mike. We were told this would not be a problem as long as we were willing to wait a few weeks. What followed was over a month of disorganization, poor communication, and ultimately disrespectful treatment by a staff member named Dave, who insisted on handling everything exclusively via text message. We were never provided a calendar or scheduling system. Instead, we were asked to manually text availability months in advance, which we did -- repeatedly. Despite multiple follow-ups, Dave kept saying he would "get back to us" to schedule Mike, but never did. After weeks of trying to lock down a date, I finally called him directly. That call was shocking. Dave was abrasive, dismissive, and offered no solutions. He abruptly informed me that there were now no available dates until mid-March -- more than two months out from the call, and nearly three months from the date we paid. He refused to escalate the issue or let me speak with anyone else, and made no effort to offer alternatives. After this experience, I went back and read the recent reviews -- something I regret not doing sooner. There is a clear pattern in the last few years of complaints about scheduling failures, lack of follow-through, and poor communication. Earlier reviews (2018-2021) paint a very different picture, largely praising instructors like Mike. Something has clearly changed. We did eventually receive a refund, but that doesn't undo the real cost: we lost over a month of time and delayed our daughter's ability to get on the road and practice. My advice: do not rely on past reputation alone. Read the most recent reviews carefully before booking. Based on our experience, this business is no longer operating at the level it once did.

    Photos
    1 Driving School - "With 1 Driving School I was able to pass my driving test the first try." Z.Y. - Pasadena

    "With 1 Driving School I was able to pass my driving test the first try." Z.Y. - Pasadena

    1 Driving School - "They sent me the best driving tutor. I've passed my test and I've got my California Driving License. Thank You very much 1 Driving School."

    "They sent me the best driving tutor. I've passed my test and I've got my California Driving License. Thank You very much 1 Driving School."

    1 Driving School

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    Academy of Motorcycle Operation - driving_schools - Updated May 2026

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