Class M licences and endorsements

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain the difference between a motorcycle endorsement and a motorcycle-only license.
• You can describe the usual steps from permit to full motorcycle privileges.
• You can list the kinds of restrictions a motorcycle permit often carries.
• You can find which rules in your own state differ from the national picture.

What you need to know and understand

• A car license alone does not let you ride a motorcycle on public roads in any state.
• An endorsement is added to an existing driver's license; a motorcycle-only license covers motorcycles but not cars.
• Most states issue a motorcycle learner permit after you pass a knowledge test and a vision check.
• Permit holders usually face limits such as no passengers, and some states add no night riding or no freeways.
• Many states let you skip the DMV riding test if you pass an approved rider training course.
• Ages, fees, permit length and holding periods vary by state: check your state manual.
• In California, applicants under 21 must hold the permit for at least six months and complete the state training course.

Endorsement or motorcycle-only license?

If you already drive a car, you normally add a motorcycle endorsement (often shown as an M) to that license. If you do not drive, many states offer a license that covers motorcycles only. In Florida, for example, the two options are called Motorcycle Also and Motorcycle Only.

Some states also have a separate, lower class for small machines. California splits it into M1 (any two-wheeled motorcycle) and M2 (mopeds and motorized bicycles only).

The usual path to riding legally

1. Read your state's motorcycle manual, which is separate from the car handbook.
2. Pass the motorcycle knowledge test and a vision screening at the DMV.
3. Receive your motorcycle learner permit and follow its restrictions.
4. Practice, ideally in a beginner rider course.
5. Pass the on-cycle skills test, or bring a course completion certificate if your state accepts it as a waiver.
6. Pay the fee and get the endorsement or Class M license issued.

Permit limits you are likely to meet

Permit rules are where states differ the most. Common limits are listed below. Some states also require a licensed motorcyclist to supervise you; in New York, the supervisor must be 21 or older and hold a motorcycle license.

• No passengers, except a supervising rider where the state allows it.
• No riding after dark (California, for example).
• No freeway riding (California, for example).
• A set time limit on how long the permit is valid.

Where state rules split

Some states make a training course compulsory for everyone; Florida requires the Basic RiderCourse for all new endorsements. Others require it only for younger riders, and some make it optional. Teen riders may face extra conditions linked to the state's graduated licensing system. If you move or ride in another state, check whether your permit is recognized there before you ride.

Common mistakes

• Assuming a car license covers a motorcycle: it never does, and riding without the endorsement can lead to tickets and insurance problems.
• Carrying a friend on a permit: most permits ban passengers, so read your permit conditions.
• Letting the permit expire before testing: note the expiry date and book the skills test or course early.
• Using another state's rules: always read your own state's motorcycle manual.

Test yourself: Class M licences and endorsements

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Can I Drive With My Permit in Another State? US Rules Explained
• How to Get a Driver’s License in Tennessee
• Permit Test in Spanish or Another Language