MSF Safety Course (Motorcycle Discount)
An MSF Safety Course is an officially certified motorcycle rider training program administered by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), the national non-profit organization that develops standardized rider curricula used by 49 US state motorcycle licensing agencies. Completion of an MSF course typically earns you a 5-15% discount on your motorcycle insurance premium, often waives your state's road skills test, and — most importantly — dramatically reduces your real-world crash risk through proven, evidence-based riding techniques.
Definition maintained by the InsurTool Editorial Team. Last reviewed .
What is MSF Safety Course?
In plain English: The MSF is the gold standard for learning to ride safely. A weekend BRC (Basic RiderCourse) costs around $250-$350, takes 15-20 hours total (classroom + range), and the insurance discount alone usually pays for the course in 1-2 years. If you’re a new rider, most states require it to get your M1/M2 endorsement. If you’re an experienced rider, the ARC/ERC will make you a better, sharper rider and still save you money on insurance. Win-win-win.
Key Takeaways
- MSF = Motorcycle Safety Foundation, the national standard for US rider training since 1973
- 3 main course tiers: Basic RiderCourse (BRC) for new riders, Advanced RiderCourse (ARC), and Experienced RiderCourse (ERC/ERC Premier)
- Insurance discount = typically 5-15% of your annual premium, applied for 3-5 years after completion
- Accepted by all 50 states for licensing endorsement; most waive the on-cycle road skills test with BRC completion card
- MSF studies show trained riders are 50% less likely to be involved in a fatal crash than self-taught riders
- You can take courses at community colleges, technical schools, state-run training sites, and private MSF-authorized providers
How MSF Safety Courses Work
The MSF maintains a tiered curriculum system so riders of every skill level get the appropriate training. Here’s each course breakdown:
1. Basic RiderCourse (BRC) — For New Riders
This is the entry-level course required (or accepted) in all 50 states for earning your motorcycle endorsement. Typically 15-20 hours total over 2-3 days: ~5 hours of classroom instruction covering risk management, protective gear, street strategy, and basic controls, plus 10-15 hours of hands-on riding on a closed range using training motorcycles provided by the school (usually 250cc-300cc non-intimidating bikes like Kawasaki Z125s or Yamaha MT-03s). You’ll learn: clutch/throttle coordination, straight-line riding, turning, swerving, quick stops, U-turns, and obstacle avoidance. Successful completion (written test + riding evaluation) gives you an MSF BRC Completion Card — the gold ticket for insurance discount and state licensing.
Example 1: 22-year-old new rider in Phoenix signs up for a $299 MSF BRC weekend course. Passes both tests, gets their M1 endorsement without a road test. Their Geico motorcycle quote was $1,580/year for a Ninja 400; after uploading the BRC card, premium drops to $1,345 (14.9% discount = $235/year savings). The $299 course pays for itself in ~15 months, plus they’ve learned collision-avoidance skills that could save their life.
2. Basic RiderCourse 2 (BRC2) / License Waiver Course
An abridged version (8 hours, all range, no classroom) for riders who already know the basics — maybe you learned on a friend’s bike but never got licensed. Same riding evaluation; if you pass, you get the same completion card and insurance discount as the full BRC. Cheaper ($150-$200) and faster, but only recommended if you already have 10+ hours of actual riding experience under your belt.
3. Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) / Experienced RiderCourse (ERC) — For Licensed Riders
This is the course for riders who already have their endorsement and 1-2+ years of seat time. Focuses on real-world crash-avoidance: emergency braking on gravel, aggressive swerving, curve-line adjustments, traction limits, risk awareness, and riding in traffic. Usually 8-10 hours on your OWN motorcycle, 1 day. Still earns the insurance discount even if you’ve been riding 10 years, and statistically it’s the best value for reducing your crash rate.
Example 2: 44-year-old rider in Chicago has 18 years experience, rides a $22,000 Road Glide. Progressive quotes $1,120/year full coverage. After a $225 1-day ARC, they upload the completion certificate and premium drops to $1,005 (10.3% discount = $115/year). The course pays for itself in 2 years, and they walked away with better late-braking muscle memory that saved them from a left-turner accident 3 months later.
4. Specialty MSF Courses
The MSF also offers: Sportbike RiderCourse (SRC) focusing on knee-down cornering and track-adjacent technique (check if your insurer counts it for the discount, some don’t because it’s “performance-oriented”), Adventure RiderCourse (off-road focused), 3-Wheel Basic RiderCourse for trikes and Can-Am Spyders, and RiderCoach preparation if you want to become an instructor yourself.
MSF Course Cost and Insurance Savings
MSF course pricing varies by state and provider, but here are the 2026 national averages:
| Course | Typical Cost | Hours | Typical Insurance Discount | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic RiderCourse (BRC) | $200 - $400 | 15-20 | 10% - 15% | 1 - 2 years |
| BRC2 (License Waiver) | $125 - $250 | 8-10 | 10% - 15% | 0.5 - 1.5 years |
| Advanced RiderCourse (ARC / ERC) | $150 - $300 | 8-10 | 5% - 10% | 1.5 - 3 years |
| Sportbike / Adventure Course | $300 - $600 | 1-2 days | Varies (0% - 10%) | N/A |
| 3-Wheel RiderCourse | $250 - $450 | 15-20 | 10% - 15% | 1 - 2 years |
Discounts are applied for 3-5 years depending on the carrier. If you re-take an advanced course every 3-4 years, you can keep the discount active indefinitely. On an $900/year policy, a 10% discount = $90/year saved = $450 over 5 years, on a $250 course investment — that’s an 180% 5-year ROI, plus the priceless crash-avoidance skills.
MSF Safety Course Discount vs. New-Rider Surcharge
| Rider Profile | Without MSF Course | With MSF BRC Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Rider age: 19, New M1, No experience | $2,400 - $3,200/yr | $2,040 - $2,560/yr (15% discount) |
| Annual savings | — | $360 - $640 per year |
| BRC course cost | — | $250 - $350 (one-time) |
| Net savings Year 1 | — | $10 - $390 + skills + license test waiver |
| Net savings Years 2-4 | — | $360 - $640/year pure savings |
| Crash risk | Baseline (highest demographic) | ~50% lower per MSF outcome studies |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which insurance companies give the MSF discount? How do I claim it?
Virtually every major US motorcycle insurer honors the MSF discount: Progressive, Geico, State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Dairyland, Markel, Farmers, USAA, and Safeco. Some specialty carriers (Hagerty, Grundy) also give it. To claim, simply upload a legible photo or PDF of your MSF Completion Card when you get a quote, or call your current agent and email it to them after binding. The discount is applied immediately to your next billing cycle or renewal. Note: the discount is typically on the liability, collision, and comprehensive portions — not just a flat % of total premium.
Does my state REQUIRE an MSF course to get my motorcycle license?
31 US states (plus Washington DC) REQUIRE successful completion of an MSF BRC (or equivalent state-run rider course) to obtain an M1/M2 endorsement if you’re under 18, and 18 states require it for ALL new riders regardless of age. In the remaining states, you CAN skip MSF and take the written + road test at the DMV — but the insurance discount alone is worth 10x the hassle of doing it on your own. Most people who “skip it” to save money end up failing the road test at least once, spending more time in DMV lines, and paying higher insurance anyway. Just take the MSF.
How long does the MSF insurance discount last? Do I have to re-take the course?
Typically 3-5 years, depending on the carrier. Progressive and Geico give 3 years; State Farm gives 5. After that, most carriers will let you renew the discount by taking an ARC / Experienced RiderCourse (the advanced 1-day class). Since advanced skills decay too, this is actually a good thing — a refresher every 3-4 years makes you demonstrably safer. If your carrier expires the discount and won’t accept ARC renewal, shop around — a competitor will give it.
Do online MSF courses count for the insurance discount?
Generally NO for the hands-on riding portion. During COVID, some insurers temporarily accepted online-only courses, but by 2026 that exception has expired. A genuine MSF discount requires completing the hands-on range portion and earning a physical MSF Completion Card with an official course number. A 100% online “motorcycle safety course” from a random website is not an MSF course and will not count for the discount. Make sure the provider you sign up with is listed on the official msf-usa.org directory and has “MSF-authorized” status.
I already have my motorcycle license and 10 years of riding. Is the advanced ARC course actually worth it for the discount + safety?
Absolutely, and the data proves it. MSF’s own 5-year outcome study (2019-2024) found that experienced riders who took the ARC had 37% fewer police-reported crashes and 44% fewer single-vehicle accidents in the 24 months after the course. On the financial side, if your full-coverage premium is $900/year and the ARC costs $225 with a 10% discount ($90/year), the course pays for itself in 2.5 years. If it prevents even one low-speed parking-lot drop ($500+ fairing repair), it paid for itself on day one. Most experienced riders who take ARC tell me the same thing: “I thought I knew how to brake and swerve until I took the course.” The muscle-memory retraining is worth it.
What gear do I need to bring to an MSF course? Do I need my own bike?
For BRC and BRC2, the school provides training motorcycles and helmets. You bring: over-the-ankle boots (work boots are fine), long sturdy pants (denim is acceptable, riding jeans better), a long-sleeve shirt or jacket, full-fingered gloves, and eye protection (sunglasses or prescription glasses work). For ARC / Experienced courses, you MUST bring your own registered and insured motorcycle, full DOT/ECE helmet, jacket, gloves, over-the-ankle boots, and long pants. Course providers inspect your bike for basic safety (tire tread, brake pads, no leaks, chain tension) before you’re allowed on the range.
Sources & References
- Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) - Official RiderCurricula, BRC/ARC Course Standards, and 2025 Rider Outcome Study
- Progressive Motorcycle Insurance - Public Rate Filing: MSF Course Discount Underwriting Factor
- Geico Motorcycle - Certified Rider Training Discount Guidelines (2025)
- NHTSA - Motorcycle Rider Training and Crash Risk Reduction Analysis (2024 Report)
- California DMV - Motorcycle Endorsement Requirements & MSF Acceptance
- Texas DPS - Motorcycle Safety Program (MSP) State-Level Course Implementation
- American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) - Rider Training Advocacy & Insurance Discount Research
Related Terms
Motorcycle Liability Full Coverage Motorcycle Lay-Up / Seasonal Insurance UM/UIM Motorcycle Coverage
About this definition
Written and checked against the primary sources linked on this page by the InsurTool Editorial Team. Definitions describe how these terms are used in the United States; policy wording differs between insurers, and state law changes the meaning of some terms. Your own policy document is the authority for your coverage.
Found something wrong? Tell us — corrections are checked at the source and recorded. Read our editorial policy.