How to get a motorcycle license in Texas? If you want to drive a motorcycle or scooter and are a resident of Texas, you’ll need a Class M license. If you already have a Texas driver’s license, you’ll just apply for a motorcycle endorsement. If you want only a motorcycle license, you must take a driver’s education course.
How To Get a Motorcycle License in Texas?
Before you can scoot around town on a moped or hit the open road on a motorcycle (or maybe a three-wheeled motorcycle), you’ll need to get your motorcycle license. Texas requires all drivers of these vehicles to earn a Class M license before hitting the mean streets with their two wheels.
We’re going to talk about the process of getting a motorcycle license in Texas in more detail so you know exactly what to expect when you go to the Department of Public Safety.
Take a DPS-approved Safety Course
The Texas Department of Safety (DPS) requires you to complete an approved motorcycle safety class. Your certificate of completion is good for 24 months. The motorcycles skills class covers the motorcycle’s basic controls. You’ll learn how to safely brake, corner, and swerve, as well.
The approved course includes up to ten hours of motorcycle skills training with students driving. Once you finish the course, you’ll receive a Motorcycle Safety Course (MSB-8 or MSB-8R) completion certificate. Keep this, as you’ll need it for your Texas motorcycle license application.
Gather Documents Required by DPS for a Texas Motorcycle License
If You’re a Minor
If you are between the ages of 15 and 17, you’ll need proof of your identity and citizenship. Bring your Social Security card, motorcycle registration, and motorcycle insurance.
Texas also requires young motorcycle drivers to prove that they are attending high school and are passing their classes. You can get a Texas Verification of Enrollment Form (VOE) from your high school or GED administrator.
You’ll also need a provisional license or learner permit and form DE-964. This proves you completed 32 hours of classroom work in driver’s ed. Drivers under the age of 18 who had a motorcycle license in another state still must complete driver’s ed in Texas before they can get a Texas license.
Motorcycle drivers under the age of 16 can drive a bike with a maximum of 250 ccs. This restriction automatically lifts on the driver’s 16th birthday.
If You’re Over 18
Motorcyclists over the age of 18 need to bring proof of identity and citizenship. Texas also requires a Social Security number and proof of residency. Finally, you’ll need proof of motorcycle insurance or your motorcycle registration.
If you don’t have a driver’s license, you’ll need to bring proof that you completed the classroom part of driver’s ed instruction.
Texas Motorcycle Written Test
Texas requires vision and knowledge tests for motorcyclists. Or, you can provide a certificate showing you’ve completed a motorcycle safety course since January 2015. Applicants under the age of 18 must pass a written test to get their motorcycle license.
Take the Texas Motorcycle Road Test
The Texas motorcycle road test requires you to bring a motor vehicle, a motorcycle, and a licensed driver. Cyclists under the age of 21 must wear a helmet. During the motorcycle road test, your driver will follow in the car.
If you are under the age of 18, you must complete a road test to get a motorcycle license in Texas.
The motorcycle road test is waived in Texas for cyclists over the age of 18 who have an unrestricted motorcycle license in another state or Canada.
Practicing your riding skills will help you pass the road test. Here are some important driving skills included on the road test:
- Safely changing lanes using arm signals
- Merging with traffic
- Obeying all traffic signs
- Staying under the posted speed limit
Specific Procedures for Minors
Getting a motorcycle license for minors is slightly more difficult. The age definition for minors in Texas is 15-17, and they must have a Class C license—which is colloquially known as a learner’s permit—and they must also have completed the classroom phase of a sanctioned driver education course, which typically consists of 32 hours.
Presenting the certificate of completion for the classroom phase is optional in order to take the motorcycle or apply for a Class M motorcycle license. Minors can also use a provisional driver’s license to enroll in the motorcycle safety course.
Also, there are specific restrictions for minors who are 15 years old. Specifically, the motorcycle they operate can’t have more than 250 cubic centimeters of piston displacement. Once they reach their 16th birthday, this restriction is removed.
Minors and the Application Rules
There are also specific rules for minors when it comes to the application process. They must appear in person at a Texas Driver’s License office and fill out the application there, along with presenting the certificate for the safety course, which is designated MSB-8 or MSB-8R.
This certificate can be earned through the Riding Academy offered at many dealerships, including Harley-Davidson Kingwood.
They must also present the provisional license (Class C), the paperwork verifying 32 classroom hours or a completion certificate for the safety course. Minors who have been taught by their parents have to present a different form, PTDE-964, that verifies 32 hours of parental driver’s education.
Finally, they must also present a Class C license along with a DE-964 that shows that they’ve completed 32 hours of driver’s education.
There are academic requirements pertaining to high school, specifically forms that show that they’ve enrolled and attended high school. This paperwork is known as the Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form, and it requires either a signature, stamp, or an electronic signature from a school official.
Being accompanied by a parent is mandatory, and minors must also provide both a motorcycle and a car and driver to follow the applicant during the motorcycle driving test.
These requirements apply to all minors, even if they have an existing motorcycle from another state. There is no exception to this rule, even if that license is current and valid.
Both knowledge and vision tests may be required to get a motorcycle license, but the knowledge test can be waived for applications who have completed the appropriate safety course.
Motorcycle License Restrictions
One issue for those who have trouble operating a motorcycle safely is that they may have a restriction code placed on their license for any number of valid reasons.
These restrictions can be removed by contacting any driver’s license office in Texas after an appropriate period of time has passed and they have shown an appropriate mastery of any safety issues.
Minors may also face some restrictions during their first year of operation with a Class M license. This restriction involves being placed in a Graduated Driver’s License Program. The program is divided into phases, including one that applies specifically to minors holding a Class M license.
FAQs
What is required to get a motorcycle license in Texas?
To obtain a Class M driver license, individuals must take an approved motorcycle safety course and bring the certificate of completion with them to the driver license office. If an individual has a valid motorcycle license from another state, DPS will waive the motorcycle safety course requirement.
Can you get just a motorcycle license in Texas?
If you want to drive a motorcycle or scooter and are a resident of Texas, you’ll need a Class M license. If you already have a Texas driver’s license, you’ll just apply for a motorcycle endorsement. If you want only a motorcycle license, you must take a driver’s education course.
Is it illegal to ride a motorcycle without a license in Texas?
Motorcycle riders must obtain a Class M driver’s license to operate a motorcycle on a public highway in Texas. Applicants must be age 16 or older and have passed a Basic Motorcycle Operator Training Course approved by the Department of Public Safety.
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