How To Get A Motorcycle License In Texas?

How To Get A Motorcycle License In Texas

Looking for information on Texas motorcycle license requirements? Texas residents must have a Class M license in order to operate a motorcycle or scooter. You can simply apply for a motorcycle endorsement if you already have a Texas driver’s license. A driver’s education course is required if all you want is a motorcycle license.

Reading this article carefully will help you understand how to obtain a motorcycle license in Texas.

Types Of Motorcycle Licenses In Texas

Only the Class M license is available for motorcycles in Texas. However, it can be restricted in a number of ways:

  • J restriction: A motorcycle license becomes essentially a motorcycle learner license due to this restriction. If you have the J restriction, you can only ride under supervision.
  • I restriction: Only 15-year-olds are permitted under this restriction. It is applicable to teenagers who obtain a Class M license at age 15 and limits their motorcycle riding to 250cc models or less.

Restrictions

You will see it on your motorcycle license if one of the restrictions applies to you. You must follow the rules below in order to ride safely and legally.

  • For the J restriction: You can only ride if a licensed motorcyclist over the age of 21 is watching you. This supervisor must constantly be in view. Take the motorcycle riding test to overcome the J restriction.
  • For the I restriction: Only motorcycles with a displacement of 250cc or less are permitted to be ridden. Turn 16 and submit an application for a license at the licensing office to remove the I restriction.

What Do You need To Get Your Texas Motorcycle License?

A DPS-approved motorcycle safety course must be taken in order to obtain the necessary motorcycle instruction before you can begin driving with your Class M license in Texas. When you complete it, you will be given a certificate of completion, which you must bring with you when you apply.

You only have 24 months to complete this Texas motorcycle license course, so be sure to get your license before then or you’ll have to retake it. You’ll proceed to the DPS as your next action. What you’ll need to bring/do depends on your age:

Age 15 – 17

  • You must provide proof of:
    • Identity/Citizenship
    • Social Security Number
    • Motorcycle registration
    • Motorcycle Insurance
  • Certificate of completion of a DPS and Motorcycle Safety Foundation-approved motorcycle safety course
  • Verification of Enrollment
    • One of the following:
    • Provisional License
    • DE-964 showing completion of the classroom portion of drivers ed or competition certificate or
    • Learner Permit and DE-964 showing completion of the classroom portion of drivers ed
  • A parent to sign an authorization
  • Money for the required fees
  • Fill out the Application for Texas Driver’s License or Identification Card
  • Pass the vision test
  • Pass the motorcycle knowledge test
  • Pass the road test
    • Bring a motorcycle, a motor vehicle, and a driver (your parent can probably double for this)
motor license texas

You can only ride motorcycles with a maximum displacement of 250 cc or less once you turn 15 years old. On your 16th birthday, this restriction will be removed, allowing you to ride the hog of your dreams.

Age 18+

  • You must provide proof of:
    • Identity/Citizenship
    • Residency
    • Social Security Number
    • Motorcycle registration
    • Motorcycle Insurance
  • Certificate of completion of a DPS and Motorcycle Safety Foundation-approved motorcycle safety course
  • If you don’t have a Texas motorcycle license, you must also bring a certificate of completion for Adult Drivers Ed
  • Money for the required fees
  • Fill out the Application for Texas Driver’s License or Identification Card
  • Pass the vision test
  • Pass the motorcycle knowledge test
  • Pass the road test
    • Bring a motorcycle, a motor vehicle, and a driver

After completing this, your bike will be ready for you to start riding as soon as you hit the streets. Wear a helmet, please! more so if you’re under 18 (it’s against the law).

How To Get A Motorcycle License In Texas?

Take A Dps-approved Safety Course

You must pass an approved motorcycle safety course, according to the Texas Department of Safety (DPS). You have 24 months to use your completion certificate. The fundamental controls of the motorcycle are covered in the motorcycle skills class.

You’ll discover safe ways to brake, turn, and swerve. Up to ten hours of motorcycle skills instruction with student driving are part of the approved course.

A Motorcycle Safety Course (MSB-8 or MSB-8R) completion certificate will be given to you once the course is completed. Keep this; you’ll need it to apply for your Texas motorcycle license.

Gather Documents Required By Dps For A Texas Motorcycle License

After completing the safety course, a current auto driver must take a written test at the driver’s license office to complete the process of getting a Texas motorcycle license.

For those preparing for this test, the state publishes a motorcycle operator’s manual. You can get a copy at the driver’s license office or find it online.

The last step is now to successfully complete any required road tests. For adults 18 and older, it’s possible that the requirement for a road test won’t apply.

The applicant must also pass a written test on driving a car if the class M license is their first license of any kind. Before the M license can be granted, the applicant must pass a motorcycle road test in order to demonstrate their driving prowess. A road test in a car is not necessary.

Texas Motorcycle Written Test

Texas requires motorcycle riders to pass vision and knowledge exams. Or, since January 2015, you can present a certificate proving you’ve finished a motorcycle safety course. For a motorcycle license, applicants under the age of 18 must succeed on a written exam.

Take The Texas Motorcycle Road Test

You must bring a motor vehicle, a motorcycle, and a licensed driver for the Texas motorcycle road test. Under-21 cyclists are required to use helmets. Your driver will follow in the vehicle throughout the motorcycle road test.

When applying for a motorcycle license in Texas, minors under the age of 18 must pass a road test. Bicyclists over the age of 18 with an unrestricted motorcycle license from another state or Canada do not need to take the motorcycle road test in Texas.

You can pass your road test by honing your riding abilities. Here are some important driving skills included in the road test:

  • Safely changing lanes using arm signals
  • Merging with traffic
  • Obeying all traffic signs
  • Staying under the posted speed limit

Attend a motorcycle safety course where you can practice handling the weight of your bike and body in a variety of emergency situations. You won’t be able to predict when you’ll need to use your newly acquired skills, but at least you’ll be aware of how your body and bike should move to keep you safe.

You may be interested in How To Get A Motorcycle License In California, Illinois, Florida, Ohio, and Arizona.

Conclusions

All the information you require to obtain a motorcycle license in Texas is provided above. Between $8 and $33 will buy you a motorcycle license in Texas.

If you take the necessary actions, getting your class M license is generally a simple process. For more information and to obtain study materials tailored to Texas laws, contact the local driver’s license office.

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