We get lots of questions but one of the most common comes from new riders and even those who move from one state to another looking to ride their motorcycle in compliance with state law. Motocycle license requirements vary by state, same with the legal riding age. In MotoSport's home state of Oregon we partner with Team Oregon for riding tips, also the same organization those who live in Oregon must get an endorsement through to ride their motorcycles legally. But we live in the United States thus 50 states with their own set of rules.
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How To Get a Motorcycle License By State
Instead of posting 50 different lengthy articles for each state, we boiled it down to the basics plus links for more information in each state.
US Motorcycle License Requirements by State
Alabama
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Applicants must either successfully complete a state-approved motorcycle safety course or pass the written exam to qualify for a motorcycle endorsement.
Alaska
Minimum Age: 16 (14 for permit)
Website: Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles
Riders under 18 are required to hold a motorcycle permit for six months before applying for a license. All applicants must pass either a skills test or a certified safety course.
Arizona
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Arizona Department of Transportation
Those under 18 must maintain a motorcycle permit for six months. A skills test or completion of an approved safety course is necessary for full licensing.
Arkansas
Minimum Age: 16
To earn a motorcycle endorsement, riders must first secure a learner's permit and pass a written test. A road skills test or completion of a recognized safety course is then required.
California
Minimum Age: 16
Riders younger than 21 must hold a motorcycle permit for six months and finish the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Riders 21 and older can opt for knowledge and skills tests instead.
Colorado
Minimum Age: 16
A standard driver's license is required first. Applicants may either pass a knowledge and skills test or complete a Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) course to earn an endorsement.
Connecticut
Minimum Age: 16
A valid Connecticut driver's license is needed. Riders must complete a state-approved safety course and pass a knowledge test before endorsement is granted.
Delaware
Minimum Age: 17
A Delaware driver's license is required. Applicants must pass a knowledge test for a permit, and then either complete a safety course or pass a road test to obtain an endorsement.
Florida
Minimum Age: 16
To get a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle-only license, riders must complete a state-approved safety course and apply at the DMV. A knowledge test is also required for the motorcycle-only license.
Georgia
Minimum Age: 17
Applicants must pass a knowledge test for a permit. For a full endorsement, either a road test or completion of the Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program is needed.
Hawaii
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Hawaii Department of Transportation
Riders first obtain a motorcycle instruction permit by passing vision and written tests, then after 90 days, must complete a safety course or pass a skills test.
Idaho
Minimum Age: 15
Website: Idaho Transportation Department
A valid Idaho driver's license is required. Riders must obtain a motorcycle permit by passing a written test, then either complete the STAR course or pass a skills test. Under 21, both are required.
Illinois
Minimum Age: 16
Applicants must get a motorcycle permit and then pass either a road skills test or a state-approved safety course. Riders under 18 must complete a training course.
Indiana
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Ride Safe Indiana
A motorcycle learner's permit and knowledge test are required first. Riders then need to pass a skills test or finish a safety course for endorsement.
Iowa
Minimum Age: 14 (for permit), 16 (for full endorsement)
Website: Iowa Tax and Tags
A permit is available from age 14 with a knowledge test. Under 18, riders must complete a safety course. A skills test or course completion is required for full licensing.
Kansas
Minimum Age: 14 (for permit), 16 (for full endorsement)
Website: Kansas Highway Patrol
Applicants must obtain a permit and pass a written exam, then complete a road skills test or an approved safety course for endorsement.
Kentucky
Minimum Age: 18 (16 with parental consent)
Website: Drive Kentucky
After getting a permit with a knowledge test, riders must wait 30 days before taking a skills test for an endorsement. A safety course can substitute for the skills test.
Louisiana
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
Applicants must pass vision, written, and skills tests. Taking a state-approved safety course can waive the skills test requirement.
Maine
Minimum Age: 16
Completion of a Basic Rider Course is mandatory, followed by a knowledge test to obtain the motorcycle endorsement.
Maryland
Minimum Age: 16 years and 6 months
A vision, knowledge, and skills test are required. The Basic Rider Course can waive the knowledge and skills tests.
Massachusetts
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Mass.gov
Riders must pass a written test for a permit, then complete the Massachusetts Rider Education Program for endorsement.
Michigan
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Michigan Department of State
Applicants must have a valid driver's license. Under 18, a safety course is required. All must pass a vision, written, and skills test or complete a rider education program.
Minnesota
Minimum Age: 16
A motorcycle instruction permit is required first. Riders must complete a safety course and pass a skills test for endorsement.
Mississippi
Minimum Age: 17
Applicants must pass both a written and a skills test. A safety course can be used to waive the skills test.
Missouri
Minimum Age: 15 years and 6 months
Website: Missouri Department of Revenue
Those under 16 must complete a rider training course. All applicants must pass vision, written, and skills tests.
Montana
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Montana Department of Justice
A written and skills test are required, but a safety course can waive the skills test.
Nebraska
Minimum Age: 17
Applicants must pass vision, written, and skills tests. Completing the MSF Basic Rider Course can waive both tests.
Nevada
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
A vision, written, and skills test are necessary. An approved safety course may substitute for the skills test.
New Hampshire
Minimum Age: 16
Applicants must pass vision, written, and skills tests. A rider training course can waive the skills test.
New Jersey
Minimum Age: 17
Website: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Riders can either complete a Basic Rider Course, which waives the road test, or obtain a permit and pass the road test after a practice period.
New Mexico
Minimum Age: 13 for a permit, 15 for a license
Under 18, riders must hold a permit for six months and complete an MSF course. Over 18, the MSF course can waive the written and road tests.
New York
Minimum Age: 16
Applicants must secure a motorcycle learner permit via a written test, then pass a road test or complete an MSF course to waive the road test.
North Carolina
Minimum Age: 16
A vision, written, and skills test are required for all applicants. Completing a state motorcycle safety course can waive the skills test.
North Dakota
Minimum Age: 14
Under 16, a safety course and written test are required for a permit, followed by a road test for licensing. Over 16, a safety course can waive the road test.
Ohio
Minimum Age: 15 years and 6 months for a permit, 16 for a license
Website: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
Applicants must get a TIPIC by passing a knowledge test. Under 18, a six-month permit and completion of a safety course are required before the skills test.
Oklahoma
Minimum Age: 14 for a permit, 16 for a license
Website: Service Oklahoma
Under 18, a permit is required before taking the skills test after 30 days. An MSF course can waive the skills test.
Oregon
Minimum Age: 16
Applicants must complete a state-approved safety course, a knowledge test, and a skills test. The course can waive the skills test.
Pennsylvania
Minimum Age: 16
Riders must obtain a learner's permit and hold it for six months, complete 65 hours of riding (15 hours via safety course), then pass a skills test.
Rhode Island
Minimum Age: 16
A Motorcycle Rider Education Program and knowledge test are required for a permit. After 30 days, a skills test is needed for licensing.
South Carolina
Minimum Age: 15
A beginner's permit is required after passing vision and knowledge tests. After 180 days, riders can take a skills test for a license.
South Dakota
Minimum Age: 14
Applicants must pass vision, written, and skills tests. An approved safety course can waive the skills test.
Tennessee
Minimum Age: 15
A vision, knowledge, and skills test are required. The MSF course can be used to waive the skills test.
Texas
Minimum Age: 15
Website: Texas Department of Public Safety
Riders must complete a state-approved training course and pass a knowledge test. The skills test may be waived with course completion.
Utah
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Utah Department of Public Safety
A learner permit is required after a knowledge test. After two months, a skills test or completion of a safety course is needed for endorsement.
Vermont
Minimum Age: 16
Website: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
Applicants must pass vision, written, and skills tests. The VMAP course can waive the skills test.
Virginia
Minimum Age: 16 years and 3 months
A vision, knowledge, and skills test are required, but the Rider Training Program can waive both tests.
Washington
Minimum Age: 16
Applicants must complete knowledge and skills tests. An approved safety course can waive both requirements.
West Virginia
Minimum Age: 16
A vision, knowledge, and skills test are necessary. The MSF course can waive the skills test.
Wisconsin
Minimum Age: 16
A motorcycle instruction permit is required after a knowledge test. Riders must then pass a skills test or complete a Basic Rider Course.
Wyoming
Minimum Age: 15
Website: Wyoming Department of Transportation
Applicants must pass vision, written, and skills tests. An MSF course can waive the skills test.
