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.
If you're in Texas like we are, this Texas Department of Public Safety page outlines rules and requirements for getting your motorcycle license in Texas.
For state 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.
Topics
- Are there minimum age requirements?
- Do I need to get a motorcycle license or motorcycle endorsement?
- What if I know nothing about riding a motorcycle?
- What if I know how to ride and just want to take the license test?
- What if I won't be riding on the street, but off-road or a track exclusively?
- How do I actually get licensed?
- I just got my Motorcycle License, now what?
1. Are there 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.
2. Do I need to get a 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 a vehicles under a certain displacement (e.g. <= 50cc with <=6hp/4,476w 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).
A fair number of states have 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 such restrictions only apply to riders under 18 or under 21, while for others it's all riders until certain conditions are met.
3. What if I know nothing about riding a motorcycle?
Most states are going to require you to take some form of rider education classes prior to a practical licensing test.
The minimum requirements of which are having the balance, coordination, and strength similar to what is necessary to ride a pedal bike. As a general rule beginner riding courses are going to assume no prior experience, and will provide a small motorcycle for the purposes of training and testing.
Most will also provide the option to rent or borrow a helmet if you don't have your own yet. As for other riding gear the minimum is typically a long-sleeve shirt, full-length pants, closed-toed shoes that cover the ankle, and a pair of gloves.
4. What if I know how to ride and just want to take the license test?
Check with your state licensing authority; some states allow you to schedule a licensing test without prior rider education, while others it's absolutely non-negotiable.
In the event you can't skip it, there's often a 'returning rider' or 'advanced' type single day options available that assumes basic proficiency and focuses on refining your existing skills.
Even if you know how to ride and have the option to skip taking a course; I'd still recommend one as it never hurts to keep your skills sharp, and most insurance providers will offer discounts for completing a safety course every few years.
5. What if I won't be riding on the street, but off-road or a track exclusively?
As motor vehicle licensing authority really only extends to public roads, riding off-road on public or private land where the land owner permits it typically doesn't require a license. Dirt bikes are a great tool for learning to ride even if you only plan to ride on pavement, many motorcyclists got their start in the dirt, and even professional track riders often ride off-road to enhance or keep their skills sharp. If you prefer pavement; most tracks do not require a motorcycle endorsement, but do check with the track organizers just to be sure before you head out there.
6. How do I actually get licensed?
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. Most of them will require you take an approved rider education course and/or complete a skills test as part of that.
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. 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. 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.
If you have to wait for an appointment most states will allow riding with the combination of the waiver/passing result and proof of an appointment with the licensing office in the meantime.
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.
I just got my Motorcycle License, now what?
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 or under 50 ft-lb of torque. The lower weight and power will be more forgiving of small mistakes vs. a heavy or powerful bike, where a lack of good technique can see things (such as you & your bike) go sideways really quick.
Likewise, 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.
If you have friends or family with a suitable bike(s) you can borrow, trying bikes & continuing practice until you feel more comfortable and understand what riding you prefer is a great option.
If instead you are purchasing a bike; we would recommend shopping used, as it's generally cheaper and you'll likely be less heart broken if you drop it or have some other mishap.
Main points to look for in first bike are that it be mechanically sound, comfortable, and non-intimidating. As those qualities will go a long way to ensuring those first rides are a fun and build confidence. If each time you approach the bike you are worrying about riding that bike, you are much less likely to stick with riding in the long-term.
Also, don't let the skills you learned and practiced to get your license go stale and consider adding to those basic skills by taking more advanced courses. Riding skills are inherently perishable, and the longer it's been since you've had to use a particular skill the higher the odds you'll flub it when the time comes.
Basics like u-turns, hard braking, and obstacle avoidance should be something you periodically refresh, especially at the start of a new riding season or when you've otherwise had time away from a bike. The last thing you want when needing to brake in an emergency with the absolute maximum force available, is to under brake or skid directly into what you could have avoided with practice.