Motorcycles are a unique way of getting around. But do you need a motorcycle or moped driver’s license? In most states, you must have a motorcycle license or endorsement to legally drive a bicycle. Additionally, you often need a motorcycle license to drive a moped, and failure to comply with your state’s motorcycle license requirements can result in fines and even jail time. So it’s important to understand the guidelines for state licensing requirements, and this article will answer a common question: “Do you need a motorcycle license?
Do You Need Licence for Mopeds
In most states, anyone under the age of 18 must have a motorcycle license to apply for a motorcycle license. As with a car learner’s permit, a licensed driver must demonstrate competency by driving with a licensed driver for the required number of hours before obtaining a driver’s license.
Drivers over the age of 18 are generally eligible for a motorcycle license or endorsement without first obtaining a permit. A motorcycle license is a separate certificate to operate a motorcycle, whereas an endorsement is attached to a regular license but grants the same privileges as a motorcycle license.
States Where You Need a License for a Moped
- Alabama: You need a “B” restricted motorcycle license. The minimum age is 14.
- Alaska: You need one of three different classes of a motorcycle license. The minimum age is 14.
- Arizona: You need a motorcycle license. The minimum age is 16.
- California: No license is required if the vehicle cannot reach speeds of 20 miles per hour. For mopeds, you need an M1 or M2 license.
- Connecticut: You need a general, basic driver’s license (Class D).
- Delaware: You need a motor vehicle license.
- Georgia: You need at least a driver’s license and to be at least 15 years old. Scooter riders may enroll in a license waiver program.
- Hawaii: You need a motor vehicle license.
- Idaho: You need a valid driver’s license.
- Illinois: Scooters and mopeds of a certain size only need a valid state driver’s license.
- Indiana: You need one of three different options of licenses.
- Iowa: You’ll need a motorcycle license.
- Kansas: You need a regular driver’s license.
- Kentucky: You need either a regular driver’s license or a specific moped license.
- Louisiana: You need a regular driver’s license.
- Maine: You might have a driver’s ID and be at least 16 years old.
- Maryland: You need a driver’s license.
- Massachusetts: You need a driver’s license and be at least 16 years old.
- Michigan: You need a motorcycle endorsement on your driver ID.
- Minnesota: You need either a license or a permit.
- Mississippi: You need an endorsement on your driver’s license.
- Missouri: You need a motorcycle license.
- Montana: You need a valid driver’s license.
- Nebraska: You need a valid driver’s license for public roads, and you need a motorcycle license for motorized scooters.
- Nevada: You can hold any class of driver’s license to use a moped on public streets.
- New Hampshire: You need a valid driver’s license or a moped license.
- New Jersey: You need a motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license or a separate motorcycle license.
- New Mexico: You need a valid driver’s license.
- New York: Motorized bikes that can reach top speeds of 30 miles per hour need a Class M license, while scooters and mopeds simply need any class of driver’s license.
- North Dakota: You need a valid driver’s license and be at least 14 years old.
- Ohio: You need a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license or a separate motorcycle license. You also must be at least 16 years old.
- Oklahoma: You need a Class A, B, C or D license.
- Oregon: You need a driver’s license.
- Pennsylvania: You need a valid Class C driver’s license. Motorized bikes will need a Class M license.
- Rhode Island: You need a standard driver’s license.
- South Carolina: You need a Class D, G or M license to operate a moped. Scooter drivers need a Class M license.
- South Dakota: You need a valid Class 1 driver’s license.
- Tennessee: You need a valid driver’s license; a motorcycle endorsement is not required.
- Texas: Mopeds with a top speed of 30 miles per hour on the level ground require a Class M motorcycle license.
- Utah: You need a motorcycle license.
- Vermont: You can drive a moped with a Class C driver’s license.
- Washington: You need a valid driver’s license.
- West Virginia: You need a valid driver’s license.
- Wisconsin: You need either a regular driver’s license or a special license for only mopeds.
States Where You Don’t Need a License for a Moped
- Arkansas: No license is needed.
- Colorado: A registration is required, but not a license.
- Florida: You don’t need a license.
- North Carolina: You don’t need a license to drive a moped. The driver must be at least 16 years old.
- Virginia: You don’t need a license.
- Wyoming: Call your local county, but by and large there are no license requirements.
How Long Does It Take Get a Motorcycle License?
The time it takes to obtain a motorcycle license depends on various factors, including riding experience and age. Riders who already have a license and experience can obtain a motorcycle license after passing a road test.
For inexperienced riders, it may take more time to get a motorcycle license. By law, minors or persons 18 and younger must hold a study permit in most states before they can qualify for a motorcycle license. Additionally, they need to use a learner’s permit until it accumulates a specific number of hours on the road. It may take a few months, but eventually, they can get an endorsement license.
How To Get A Motorcycle License
In order to obtain a motorcycle license, you must take a road test under the supervision of a local BMV or DMV officer. If you do not have a regular driver’s license, you may have to take a written Rules of the Road test before the course test. Once you pay the fee, your motorcycle license is yours.
In some cases, you may not need to take a road test to obtain a motorcycle license. Typically, this exception applies to experienced drivers. For example, if you’re an adult rider who already has a motorcycle license, you can skip the road test if you pass a closed-course skill test approved by state regulators.
How Much Is A Motorcycle License?
The price you pay for a motorcycle license depends on your experience, age, and license type.
Because each state has a different application fee and cost structure, you may have to pay anywhere from $25 to over $100 for a motorcycle license. If you obtained your license before getting your license, you will need to pay a separate application fee, which is required to obtain a full motorcycle license.
Fees for permits and motorcycle licenses may vary depending on the age of the applicant. Younger drivers tend to pay more for certification than older drivers. We found that in some states, younger applicants pay $30 more for certification than older motorcyclists.
Because in the former case you only pay for the modification of the existing license, it is often cheaper to pay for a motorcycle endorsement than for a motorcycle license. Renewing an existing car license plate usually costs $10 to $20.
Penalties for Riding Without a License?
Driving a motorcycle without a license can lead to jail time and hefty fines in most states. In states like California, driving a motorcycle without a license can result in six months in prison or a $1,000 fine.
In other states, there are tax penalties for drivers without a license. There are also higher penalties for repeat offenders. Likewise, avoiding license fees can result in fines of hundreds of dollars.
This is why you need to determine the type of moped and the size of the engine before riding. If it meets the requirements to bypass the motorcycle license plate, then you can proceed. It also does not exempt the requirement of a standard driver’s license. You need a driver’s license to drive a moped, but a motorcycle license is not required. Failure to follow this rule can result in fines and imprisonment.
Can You Register A Motorcycle Without A License?
Technically, a motorcycle license is not required to register a motorcycle, but you do need motorcycle insurance. Because most insurance companies require you to have a license plate to get coverage, it can be more difficult to register your bike without a license plate.
To complicate matters, minors may have difficulty finding insurance companies to cover them. For example, 16-year-old motorcyclists have fewer insurance options than 18-year-old motorcyclists and may need to add their bikes to their parents’ policy to get any coverage — licensed or not.
While some insurance companies will sell you insurance without a license, they may charge you higher premiums. If you are a young driver or someone without a motorcycle license, you should compare prices from different providers before buying insurance to get the cheapest price in your area.
Conclusion
While some states have more lenient penalties for unlicensed drivers, at the end of the day, it’s not a good idea to drive any vehicle without a proper license. Since repeat offenders typically face penalties that accrue per violation, avoiding the $50 license fee can end up costing hundreds of dollars in arraignment.
