CYCLE SAFETY INFORMATION Government Relations Office 1235 S. Clark St., Ste. 600 Arlington, VA 22202 2 Jenner, Ste. 150 Irvine, CA 92618-3806 www.msf-usa.org This Cycle Safety Information chart summarizes state motorcyclist licensing procedures. This information was obtained from each state's drivers' licensing agency and from other available source documents. Although this summary represents information from the most authoritative sources available, MSF is not responsible for accuracy or completeness. Contact your state agency for additional information. State Licensed Drivers STATE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR LICENSING 2016 Operator Licenses Licensed Motorcyclists Vehicle Registrations (2014) Tiered Auto Motorcycle Licensing (Licensing by Size) Rider Education Required for Licensing Alabama 3,761,498 1,670,959 2,524,145 115,768 Yes, 5 bhp or 150 cc (3) Alaska 550,924 49,953 195,389 32,090 Arizona 6,115,555 484,400 2,320,664 180,917 Yes, 100 cc (1) Arkansas 2,111,873 (2014) 156,114 (2010) 989,291 92,921 Yes, 250 cc (3) California 25,914,851 1,376,298 14,065,989 813,771 Yes, under age 21 Colorado 3,883,393 395,597 1,806,485 188,192 Connecticut 2,654,763 216,948 1,430,900 89,332 Yes Delaware 595,276 51,415 441,745 30,393 Yes, under age 18 D.C. 419,896 (2014) 168,064 216,156 4,450 Yes Florida 15,998,416 1,185,787 7,543,890 558,123 Yes, 150 cc (3) Yes Georgia 6,650,434 (2014) 320,433 (2014) 3,567,888 199,575 Hawaii 918,768 57,069 591,971 42,821 Yes, under age 18 Idaho 1,038,992 77,057 608,671 66,191 Yes, under age 21 Illinois 9,081,841 672,952 4,795,380 351,298 Yes, < 150 cc (3) Yes, under age 18 for > 150 cc Indiana 4,926,277 (2014) 233,434 (2014) 2,395,759 222,655 Iowa 2,229,451 (2014) 258,675 (2014) 1,349,293 187,251 Yes, under age 18 Kansas 1,897,139 174,744 978,612 96,817 Kentucky 3,991,767 185,841 1,749,979 111,096 Louisiana 2,923,744 130,624 1,459,340 114,242 Maine 1,019,865 113,512 471,717 51,623 Yes Maryland 4,200,000 276,536 1,989,816 125,283 Yes, under age 18 Massachusetts 4,492,641 339,017 2,438,254 125,270 Yes, under age 18 or failed RMV motorcycle road test twice Michigan 7,099,512 655,159 3,445,807 258,413 Yes, under age 18 Minnesota 3,993,136 414,782 2,162,403 237,408 Yes, under age 18 Mississippi 1,965,464 54,804 857,667 28,474 Missouri 4,233,499 365,050 2,231,294 153,799 Yes, 250 cc (3) Montana 757,812 108,000 436,581 183,894 Nebraska 1,193,765 78,093 751,544 52,517 Nevada 1,867,993 142,600 990,113 71,880 New Hampshire 998,214 120,987 Yes, under age 18 or failed 559,174 76,093 motorcycle road test twice New Jersey 6,039,623 264,100 3,476,346 149,963 Yes, 500 cc (7) Yes, under age 18 New Mexico 1,444,857 (2014) 58,400 (2006) 724,099 64,598 Yes, 100 cc (3) Yes, under age 18 New York 11,318,198 (2014) 726,612 5,159,696 346,210 rth Carolina 6,811,686 453,203 3,474,768 193,643 Yes, under age 18 rth Dakota 594,520 69,207 250,998 37,247 Yes, 250 cc (3) Yes, under age 16 (limited to < 250 cc) Ohio 7,950,483 699,912 4,806,759 404,770 Yes, under age 18 Oklahoma 2,494,095 200,353 1,391,802 129,405 Yes, 300 cc (3) Yes, under age 18 Oregon 3,130,494 268,362 1,403,517 88,247 Yes Pennsylvania 8,915,641 (2014) 846,466 (2012) 4,711,119 396,315 Yes, under age 18 Rhode Island 712,890 35,495 455,520 31,870 Yes South Carolina 3,432,542 201,459 1,754,081 114,666 South Dakota 616,494 86,546 324,160 89,460 Tennessee 4,724,714 361,018 2,273,513 164,710 Yes, 5 bhp or 125 cc (3) Texas 15,648,733 (2014) 853,000 (2008) 8,140,321 445,395 Yes, 250 cc (3) Yes Utah 2,001,074 179,846 895,718 74,091 Yes, 90 cc; 249 cc; 649 cc (4) Vermont 567,304 61,598 244,027 30,106 Virginia 5,553,289 353,319 3,309,479 195,230 Yes, if failed twice Washington 5,576,586 428,006 2,748,938 229,823 Yes, under age 18 West Virginia 1,212,366 108,170 576,821 57,278 Wisconsin 4,188,194 (2014) 475,248 (2010) 2,194,650 281,151 Yes, 125 cc (3) Yes, under age 18, failed motorcycle road test twice, or held 3 previous motorcycle instruction permits Wyoming 435,452 59,702 216,594 30,983 Totals 220,855,994 17,324,926 113,898,845 8,417,718 Blanks intentional due to no response from state. (1) For under 18, rider education or parental certification of 30 hours of supervised motorcycle practice required. (2) 2014 Information (3) May obtain motorcycle license at younger age for small displacement motorcycles. (5) 2008 Information (6) 2010 Information (7) If tested on < 231 cc, license/endorsement restricted to operation 500 cc. restriction on license/endorsement if operator has completed approved rider education course. (8) 2012 Information (4) License restricted based on cc size of motorcycle upon which rider tested.
Motorcyclist Learner Permits State Test Needed Duration Restrictions Renewal Allowed/ Times Renewal Allowed Alabama **********NO MOTORCYCLE PERMIT ISSUED********** Alaska Knowledge 2 Years Supervision Yes/1 Arizona Knowledge 7 Months Passenger, Freeway, Time of Day Yes/1 Arkansas Knowledge 1 Year ne California Knowledge 1 Year Passenger, Freeway, Time of Day Yes/ Limit Colorado Knowledge 3 Years Supervision Yes/ Limit Connecticut Knowledge & Vision 60 Days Passenger, Freeway, Time of Day, Helmet, Vision Yes/1 Protecting Device Delaware Knowledge 6 Months Passenger, Freeway, Time of Day, Helmet Yes/ Limit D.C. Knowledge 1 Year Yes/ Limit Florida **********NO MOTORCYCLE PERMIT ISSUED********** Georgia Knowledge & Vision 6 Months Passenger, Restricted Roadways, Time of Day Yes/ Limit Hawaii Knowledge 1 Year Passenger, Time of Day Yes/ Limit (if skills test taken before permit expires) Idaho Knowledge 180 Days Passenger, Freeways, Time of Day Yes/ Limit (scores are good for 1 year) Illinois Knowledge & Vision 2 years under 18; Daytime Only, Supervision Yes/ Limit 1 year 18 or over Indiana Knowledge 1 Year Passenger, Time of Day, Helmet Yes/1 Iowa Knowledge 4 Years Supervision Yes/1 (2) Kansas Knowledge 1 Year Supervision Yes/ Limit Kentucky Knowledge & Skill 3 Years Passenger, Helmet Louisiana **********NO MOTORCYCLE PERMIT ISSUED********** Maine Knowledge 2 Years Passenger, Time of Day Yes/ Limit Maryland Knowledge & Vision 6 Months Passenger (unless it is supervising rider) Massachusetts Knowledge & Vision 2 Years Passenger, Time of Day Michigan Knowledge & Vision 180 Days Passenger, Time of Day, Supervision, Helmet Yes/2 in 10 years Minnesota Knowledge 1 Year Passenger, Freeway, Night, Helmet Mississippi Knowledge & Skill 1 Year Supervision Yes/ Limit (scores are good for 2 years) Missouri Knowledge, Traffic 6 Months Passenger, 250cc, Daylight Only, 50 Mile Radius Yes/ Limit Signs & Vision Montana Knowledge 1 Year Supervision Nebraska Knowledge 1 Year Supervision, Interactive Wireless Communication Device Yes/ Limit Nevada Knowledge 1 Year Passenger, Time of Day, Supervision Yes/ Limit New Hampshire Knowledge 45 Days Passenger, Time of Day New Jersey Knowledge 90 Days Passenger Yes/ Limit New Mexico Knowledge, Skill, Vision 6 Months Passenger, Time of Day Yes/1 & Traffic Signs New York Knowledge 1 Year* Time of Day, Supervision Yes/1* rth Carolina Knowledge & Traffic 1 Year Passenger Yes/1 Signs rth Dakota Knowledge 6 Months Passenger, Time of Day Yes/1 Ohio Knowledge 1 Year Passenger, Restricted Roadways, Time of Day, Helmet Oklahoma Knowledge, Skills, 4 Years Passenger, Restricted Roadways, Time of Day, cc Restrictions Yes/ Limit Vision & Rules of the Road (under age 16) Oregon Knowledge 1 Year Passenger, Time of Day, Supervision Yes/ Limit Pennsylvania Knowledge & Vision 1 Year Passenger, Time of Day, Supervision, Helmet (may reapply 3 times in a 5- year period) Rhode Island Knowledge, Skill, Vision 18 Months Passenger (unless it is supervising rider) & Traffic Signs South Carolina Knowledge 1 Year Time of Day, Supervision Yes/ Limit (if skills test taken before permit expires) South Dakota Knowledge 1 Year Passenger, Restricted Hours, Supervision Yes/ Limit Tennessee Knowledge & Skill 1 Year Passenger, Restricted Roadways, Time of Day, cc Restrictions (certain ages) Texas Knowledge & Vision Varies Supervision Utah Knowledge 6 Months Passenger, Time of Day, Posted More Than 60 mph Yes/ Limit Vermont Knowledge 120 Days Daytime Only, Passenger, VT Only Yes/2 Virginia Knowledge 1 Year Passenger, Restricted Roadways, Time of Day, Supervision, Yes/ Limit Parent Consent Washington Knowledge 90 Days Passenger, Time of Day Yes/2 (3 with proof of rider ed enrollment) West Virginia Knowledge & Skill 90 Days Passenger, Time of Day Wisconsin Knowledge, Traffic Signs & Vision 6 Months Helmet, Passenger (except class M license holder with 2 years of licensure), Time of Day unless accompanied by licensed person age 25 or older Wyoming Knowledge 90 Days Passenger Yes/ Limit * If permit holder has another class of NYS driver license, permit is valid for 1 year and can be renewed for 1 additional year. If permit holder does not possess another class of driver license permit is valid for 5 years and cannot be renewed. 2
State Licensing Agency Information State Knowledge/Skills Testing Agency License Issuance Agency License Test Sites Auto Driver s/ Motorcycle Examiners Who Test Motorcyclists 3 rd Party Testers Used Alabama DPS Same 78/78 113 Alaska DMV Same 21/21 45 2 Arizona MVD Same 44/19 153 Arkansas State Police Dept. of Finance & Admin., 100/100 (6) 37 (6) Revenue Div. California DMV Same 170/146 719 Colorado DMV/3rd Party Testers Dept. of Revenue 36 state, 19 county/5 state 12 26 MC, 45 regular Connecticut DMV/3rd Party DMV 8/8 0 DMV licensed training schools Delaware DMV Same 4/4 55 D.C. DMV/no skills test offered Same 5/5 0 Florida DHSMV Same 184/76 course providers; 128 sites 550 (only RiderCoaches test motorcyclists) MSF Certified, RERP approved motorcycle training schools Georgia Dept. of Driver Services Same 63/38 (2) 92 (2) 15 (2) Hawaii Co. Examiner Drivers Sec. Same 9/4 26 HDOT approved training schools Idaho Co. Sheriff s DMV Offices/ ID County Sheriff s DMV 40/33 0 40 3rd Party Skills Testing Offices Illinois Sec. of State Same 120/97 638 IDOT Indiana BMV/ ABATE BMV 170/20 (2) 200 (2) ABATE Iowa DOT Driver Services Same 109/76 (2) 189 (2) (2) Kansas Driver s License Bureau Same 34/34 150 Kentucky State Police Circuit Court 140/140 75 Louisiana DPS Same 84/84 450 MC Maine BMV/BMV 3rd Party BMV 36/36 36 Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Same 18/18 110 Maryland MC Safety Instructors Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles Division Same 27/33 48 131 RMV/MREP approved Coaches Michigan Dept. of State (SOS) Same Skills 229/Skills 90 129 65 Minnesota DPS Same 93/60 107 MC/CDL Mississippi Hwy. Patrol Same 48/48 142 MC/CDL Missouri Hwy. Patrol Dept. of Revenue 156/135 226 BRC or Military BRC accepted as skills waiver course Montana MVD Same 49/49 64 MT MSF Nebraska DMV Same 95/95 97 Nevada DMV Same 16/16 82 New Hampshire DMV Same 16/14 21 New Jersey Motor Vehicle Cmsn. Same 11/9 117 MC Safety Instructors New Mexico MVD Same 68/68 68 CDL New York DMV Same 121/120 115 rth Carolina DMV Same 114/100 505 rth Dakota NDDOT Same 25/8 45 Ohio BMV Same 70/70 220 Oklahoma Driver s License Ser. TAG Agents 35/35 125 Oregon DMV Same 51/5 19 * Pennsylvania DOT Same 72/71 (8) 213 (8) 2 (8) Rhode Island CCRI DMV 6/2 32 CCRI South Carolina DMV Same 66/50 136 4 Harley-Davidson dealerships and 3 Technical Colleges South Dakota DPS Same 57/32 57 MC/CDL Tennessee Dept. of Safety & Homeland Same 74 466 MC/CDL Security Texas DPS/ Driver s License Div. Same 306/306 (5) 402 (5) ne (5) Utah Driver s License Division Same 26/23 224 89 MSF Certified Vermont DMV Same 11/6 12 38 MSF Certified RiderCoaches Virginia DMV Same 72/47 850 ne Washington 3rd Party Testers DOL 349/Skills - 35 191 Yes - MC Safety Instructors West Virginia DMV Same 25/25 50 MSF Wisconsin DOT /DMV Same 92/28 (6) 100 (6) Wyoming WyDOT Same 29/29 48 *First-time applicants required to take a TEAM OREGON motorcycle safety course; skills test waived upon completion. Depending on course taken, some applicants must take the motorcycle knowledge test at DMV. Oregon DMV only administers motorcycle skills tests for 3-wheel motorcycles. 3
State Minimum Age without Rider Education General Licensing Information Minimum Age with Rider Education Driver s License Required for Motorcycle License/ Endorsement Graduated Licensing System for Motorcycle Licensing** Alabama 14/ 16 (3) 14/ 16 (3) Alaska 16 16 Arizona 18 (1) 16 (1) Arkansas 14/16 (3) 14/16 (3) (6) California 21 16 Yes Colorado 18* 15-16 to obtain permit Yes Connecticut Rider Ed Required 16 Yes Yes (16 & 17 years) Delaware 18 17 Yes D.C. Rider Ed Required 18 Yes Florida Rider Ed Required 15.5 (3) Yes Georgia 17 17 Hawaii 18* 16* Yes (16 & 17 years) Idaho 21 15 Yes Illinois 16/18 (3) 16 Indiana 16 & 180 days 16 & 180 days Yes Iowa 18 16 Kansas 16 16 Kentucky 18* 16 & 180 days* Yes, if under age 18 Louisiana 16 Yes Maine Rider Ed Required 16 Maryland 18 16 Massachusetts 18 16.5, under 18 also need Yes (junior operator s license) driver s education certificate Michigan 18 16 Yes Minnesota 18 16 Yes Mississippi 15 15 Yes Missouri 16 15.5/16 (3) Montana 16* 15* Yes Nebraska 17 17 Nevada 18* 16* New Hampshire 18 16 Yes, if under age 18 New Jersey 18 17 Yes New Mexico 18 13/16 (3) New York 18* 16* rth Carolina 18 16 Yes rth Dakota 16 14 & 2 months (3) Ohio 18 16 Yes Oklahoma 18 (3) 18 (3) Yes Oregon Rider Ed Required 16 Yes Pennsylvania 18 16 Yes Rhode Island Rider Ed Required 16 Yes Must hold permit, minimum 30 days South Carolina 16 16 South Dakota 14 14 Yes Tennessee 15/16 (3) 15/16 (3) Texas Rider Ed Required 15/16 (3) Yes Utah 16 & 2 months 16 Yes Yes Vermont 16 16 Yes Virginia 19* 16 & 3 months* Washington 18 16 Yes West Virginia 18 18 Wisconsin 18 14/16 (3) Yes Wyoming 17* 16* Yes *With/without driver s education **Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws require young drivers to gain driving experience before obtaining full driving privileges. Typical provisions include required number of hours of supervised driving, restrictions on nighttime driving and passengers and prohibition on cell phone use/texting. Most programs include three stages: Learner Stage: supervised driving, cumulating with a driving test; Intermediate Stage: limits unsupervised driving in high risk situations; and Full Privilege Stage: regular driver s license. Every state has a graduated licensing system for driver s licensing 4
Motorcycle Knowledge Testing State Handbook Used Knowledge Test Used Knowledge Test Waiver for Approved Rider Education Completion Alabama MOM Local Alaska MOM MSF Yes Arizona MOM Local Yes Arkansas MOM Local (6) California Local Local Colorado MOM Local Yes Connecticut MOM MOM & CT Drivers Manual Delaware MOM MSF Yes D.C. MOM Local Florida BRC MSF Yes Georgia Modified MOM Local (2) Yes Hawaii MOM MSF Idaho Modified MOM MSF Illinois Modified MOM MSF Yes Indiana MOM MSF (2) Yes Iowa MOM MSF (2) Kansas MOM MSF Kentucky Local Local Yes Louisiana MOM MSF Yes Maine Modified MOM Local Maryland Modified MOM MSF Yes Massachusetts Local Local Michigan MOM MSF Yes Minnesota Modified MOM Local Mississippi MOM MSF Missouri MOM MSF Montana MOM MSF Nebraska MOM MSF Yes Nevada MOM MSF Yes New Hampshire Local Local Yes New Jersey MOM MSF Yes New Mexico MOM MSF/Local Yes New York MOM MSF/Local rth Carolina MOM MSF Yes rth Dakota MOM MSF Ohio Modified MOM MSF/Local Oklahoma MOM MSF Yes Oregon Modified MOM Modified MSF Yes Pennsylvania Modified MOM (8) MSF/Local (8) Yes Rhode Island MSF/BRC MSF Yes South Carolina Local Local South Dakota MOM MSF Yes Tennessee MOM Modified MOM Yes Texas MOM MSF (5) Yes Utah MOM MSF Vermont MSF MOM or BRC Handbook MSF Yes Virginia MOM MSF Yes Washington MOM Local Yes West Virginia MOM MSF Wisconsin (6) MOM Local Yes Wyoming MOM MSF Yes 5
Alabama State Primary Skills Test Used Motorcycle Skills Testing Secondary Skills Test Used Skills Test Waiver for Rider Education Accept Rider Education Completion Card From Another State **********NO SKILLS TEST REQUIRED********** 3-Wheeled Motorcycles (3WMC) Able to Test on 3WMC/License Restricted to 3WMC if Tested on 3WMC Alaska Alternate MOST ne Yes Yes Arizona Alternate MOST ne Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Arkansas Serpentine (6) ne (6) Yes Yes Yes/ (6) California Serpentine & Slow Ride Local On-Street Yes Yes/Class C limited to 3-wheeled (motorcycle license/endorsement not rqd.) Colorado MSF RST 2W & 3W ne Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Connecticut BRC ne Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Delaware MSF RST 2W & 3W ne Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled D.C. **********NO SKILLS TEST OFFERED MUST COMPLETE RIDER COURSE APPROVED BY ANY U.S. JURISDICTION********** Florida BRC RST Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled S restriction (3WBRC completion required) Georgia RST BRC & BRC2 Skill Yes Yes/ Evaluations Hawaii MSF RST ne Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Idaho Alternate MOST ne Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Illinois Alternate MOST ne Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Indiana Alternate MOST (2) ne (2) Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Iowa Alternate MOST (2) ne (2) Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Kansas Alternate MOST ne Yes Yes/ Kentucky Local Off-Street ne Yes Yes Yes/ Louisiana Local On-Street ne Yes Yes/ Maine Local On-Street ne Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Maryland RST BRC & ABRC Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled; J restriction Massachusetts Local Off-Street Local Off-Street Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Michigan RST 2W & 3W ne Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Minnesota RST 2W & 3W ne Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled (Age 18+) Mississippi M/C In-Traffic Local On-Street Yes Yes Yes/ Missouri MSF Approved Compact Ride Skills Test Local Off-Street ne Yes (unless an approved military rider course) Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Montana Alternate MOST Local On-Street Yes Yes/ Nebraska MIT Alternate MOST Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Nevada Alternate MOST ne Yes Yes endorsement rqd. for trimobile [3 wheels in contact with ground, 2 of which are power driven] New Hampshire RST Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled New Jersey Alternate MOST ne Yes New Mexico RST 2W & 3W, Local On-Street Yes Yes Yes/ Alternate MOST New York Local On-Street ne Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled (6) rth Carolina Local Off-Street ne Yes Yes/ rth Dakota RST 2W & 3W ne Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Ohio RST ne Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Oklahoma Local On-Street ne Yes Yes Yes/ Oregon Modified Alternate ne Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled MOST Pennsylvania Local Off-Street (8) Local Off-Street (8) Yes (8) Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Rhode Island MSF/BRC ne Yes Yes MA & CT South Carolina Modified Alternate ne Yes (if MSF endorsement rqd. MOST course completed through third party tester) South Dakota M/C In-Traffic Local On-Street Yes Yes Yes/ Tennessee Local Off-Street Local On-Street Yes Yes Yes/ Texas M/C In-Traffic (5) ne (5) Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled (Age 18+) Utah Alternate MOST Modified Alternate Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled MOST Vermont RST BRC & ERC Lic. Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Waiver Skill Test Virginia Alternate MOST Local Off-Street Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Washington Modified MSF New/Old ne Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled West Virginia Alternate MOST Alternate MOST Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled Wisconsin MIT (6) ne (6) Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled (6) Wyoming Alternate MOST ne Yes Yes Yes/limited to 3-wheeled 6