The process for getting a motorcycle license in the United States will vary considerably depending on what state you live in.
Regardless of which state you live there is some high-level process, advice, and best-practices that are fairly common, which is what we'll focus on.
For your state's specifics locate your state's motor vehicle services department (see https://www.usa.gov/state-motor-vehicle-services) and the motorcycle section for specific laws and process where you are.
Minimum Age Requirements
All states have a minimum age for motorcycle licensing, but it varies.
Usually you can get a motorcycle license at 16 years old in most states, sometimes younger like Texas with 15 years of age restricted to <=250cc engines until you turn 16.
If you are under 18 many states require signed parental consent/authorization and other conditions be met before pursuing a motorcycle license; such as general driver's education, additional rider education, school attendance verification, etc.
Under 21 years old a lot of states require learners permits and/or rider education, when for 21+ years old they may not have those requirements.
Motorcycle License or Motorcycle Endorsement?
In some states they offer motorcycle-only licenses, but for many it's done as a motorcycle endorsement to an existing driver's license.
A few states vehicles under a certain displacement (e.g. <= 50cc for Texas) doesn't require a motorcycle endorsement if you already have a Class C driver's license, and are over a certain age (usually 18 or 21).
Some states utilize restricted endorsements or operate on a graduated licensing procedure where by there may be limitations as to the displacement (e.g. <= 250cc) and/or conditions you ride under before you receive your full unrestricted motorcycle license.
For some states such restrictions only apply to riders under 18 or under 21, while for others it's all riders until certain conditions are met.
Licensing Process
Again, check with your state for specifics. If your state requires it for riders or if your age makes it required, you may start with a motorcycle learner's permit or restricted motorcycle endorsement first and then either proceed to rider education or riding under restrictions until scheduling a skills test with your local motor vehicle services branch.
Should your state mandate rider education, then in many cases part of that rider education course is a skills test where passing that counts toward the license test requirement.
Permits/Restricted Endorsements
Generally these require you understand your state's rules around riding and take a written test before you can start riding under some type of restrictions; such a limit on the displacement of the engine and/or prohibiting things like riding at night, on highways, with passengers, or without supervision from a licensed motorcyclist.
In the case of permits; keep in mind they typically have a validity window where you complete specific requirements before it expires to move on to testing for your license, so make sure your schedule and the season are conducive to that.
Restricted motorcycle endorsements generally don't expire, but they don't auto-upgrade either. Pretty much all of them have some specific requirements that must be satisfied to remove the restrictions and more paperwork at the DMV to graduate to a full license.
Rider Education
Many states use the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s BasicRider Course as an approved motorcycle safety course, but some states may have other options.
Generally basic riding courses typically last two days, and will consist of both classroom segments and time in a parking lot with cone drills:
- Pre-course material - General information covering motorcycles, course safety, and basic principles.
- Introductions & motorcycle operation - Paper work (typically requires some form of ID), meeting the instructor/students/motorcycles for the first time, basic pre-ride safety inspection, and instruction on a motorcycle's controls & how they're used.
- Learning basic control - How to start & stop, controlling speed & direction, control in confined space, maintaining & switching lanes, performing u-turns, and basic hazard avoidance.
- Traffic rules - A mix of the same road rules followed by all vehicles, plus any general and/or state specific provisions related to motorcycles.
- Basic road safety and strategy - General road safety conventions, along with understanding and recognizing common motorcycle specific hazards and how to minimize your potential exposure to them.
- Demonstrating basic control - AKA 'skills test'; where you'll demonstrate starting in control, stopping in control, control of speed & direction, control in confined spaces, maintaining & switching lanes, performing U-turns, and basic hazard avoidance.
License Skills Test
Generally if you completed a rider's education course approved by your state, passing the skills test included there, you'll receive a test waiver which you'll take to your local licensing office.
Otherwise, the testing process is basically identical to what would be at the end of those rider's education courses. Assuming your evaluator gives you a passing grade, they'll hand you some paper work with their signature affirming that.
Making it Official
Depending on the state you may either need to schedule an appointment or can proceed to directly to your local licensing office with your waiver/test result.
On the day of remember to bring the state's required forms of ID, some way to pay the licensing office fees related to issuing or updating a license, and if you use them eye glasses.
After filling out some paper work and waiting, you'll need to pass a vision test in nearly all states. After which point you'll present paper work, proof of passing the skills test, pay the fees, and get a fresh picture for your license. While you wait for your new/updated license they'll issue a temporary paper license.
After Getting a License
First thing you should do after completing your licensing requirement is to get a helmet that fits properly and is comfortable enough that you'll wear it consistently, see our Helmet Sizing & Fitting guide.
Additionally, we'd recommend at a bear minimum motorcycle specific gloves and footwear. If your budget allows motorcycle pants and a jacket are a worthy addition, but if you're cash-strapped long sleeve shirts and pants are a better choice than exposed skin at the absolute minimum.
As a new rider it is usually a good idea keeping to lighter bikes (<600lbs) with under 50 horsepower and moderate amounts of torque. The lower weight and power will require less finesse/be easier to handle and be more forgiving of minor mistakes all around. Don't let someone tell you that just because you are big/tall that you should be on a big or tall bike. Likewise for shorter riders, while being able to flat-foot the bike makes it easier, it's not a requirement to ride it.
You may find the type of riding you do and what you want in a bike changes as you ride more. So don't assume you'll be married to that first bike long-term, instead it's usually a stepping stone toward discovering what type of rider you are and what you want out of a bike.