To operate a motorcycle on a public roadway, an individual must hold a valid Indiana driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement or possess a valid motorcycle learner’s permit. An applicant is not eligible for a motorcycle learner’s permit or a motorcycle endorsement if the applicant’s driving privileges are revoked, suspended or invalidated.
There are two ways you can obtain your Indiana motorcycle endorsement. Read on to understand which option will be best for you.
Option 1:
Complete a Motorcycle Safety Training Course
Earn your Indiana motorcycle endorsement by completing a three-day Ride Safe Indiana training course. You’ll get 5 hours of classroom instruction, 10 hours of hands-on riding practice, and a final knowledge exam and a skills evaluation—all with a motorcycle provided for you.
Once you pass both the knowledge exam and the skills evaluation, your results are submitted directly to the BMV and valid for one year. You can easily add your endorsement online at myBMV.com or at any branch.
Requirements:
✅ Must be 16 years + 90 days
✅ Must hold a valid Indiana driver’s license
✅ Bring your own DOT certified helmet, gloves, boots, long pants, long sleeves, and eye protection
Sign up with an approved Ride Safe Indiana provider today and start your journey on two wheels!
Option 2:
Obtain a Learner's Permit and Take the Skills Exam
If you hold a motorcycle learner’s permit, you can upgrade by:
1. Passing the motorcycle skills exam with an RSI-approved
provider offering the skills exam, AND
2. Turning in your signed/stamped permit at a BMV branch.
⚠️ Note: The skills exam result is valid only for the life of your permit and is not the same as completing a training course.
Requirements:
✅ Must be at least 16 years and 270 days old
✅ Must hold a valid Indiana's driver's license
✅ Must possess a valid motorcycle learner's permit
✅ Must bring a DOT-certified helmet to the skills exam
✅ Must bring a street-legal motorcycle to the skills exam
A vision screening may also be required.
Schedule your skills exam today and take the next step toward full endorsement!
How to Obtain a Learner's Permit
A motorcycle learner's permit allows Indiana residents who hold a valid Indiana driver's license to practice riding a motorcycle or motor driven cycle before applying for a motorcycle endorsement. You may apply for a motorcycle learner’s permit at any Indiana BMV branch if you meet the following requirements:
Requirements:
✅ Hold a valid Indiana driver’s license.
✅ Pass a knowledge test based on the Motorcycle Operator’s Manual.
✅ Have a parent or guardian sign an Agreement of Financial Liability, if you are less than 18 years of age.
To obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit, an applicant must pass a motorcycle knowledge exam and a vision screening. A motorcycle learner's permit is valid for one year. If your motorcycle learner's permit expires, it is no longer valid, and you must apply for a new permit by taking the motorcycle knowledge test again.
You are only allowed to renew your permit once. If you do not obtain an endorsement before the expiration of your renewed permit, you must wait one year before reapplying for a new permit. At any time, you can complete a Ride Safe Indiana safety course and obtain an endorsement with or without a permit.
⚠️ Note: Once you take the skills exam, your exam results are only valid for as long as your learner's permit is valid.
View the Motorcycle Operator’s Manual
Rules for Riding with a Learner's Permit
A person operating a motorcycle while in possession of a motorcycle learner’s permit must, by law, abide by the following:
Requirements:
✅ Hold a valid Indiana driver’s license.
✅ May operate a motorcycle on public roads for the duration of the one-year permit, under the following restrictions:
- Must wear a helmet that meets the standards established by the United States Department of Transportation under 49CFR571.218.
- Operate a motorcycle only during daylight hours.
- Must not carry passengers.
Endorsement FAQs
- What restrictions does Indiana recognize on motorcycle endorsements?
A driver with a motorcycle endorsement may have one of the following restrictions applied to their license: *Three-wheel motorcycle *Side car * MDC - Class A To remove a restriction, the motorcycle endorsement holder must successfully complete a motorcycle knowledge exam to obtain a motorcycle permit and successfully complete a motorcycle skills exam on a standard motorcycle (other than the motorcycle types listed above) at an authorized RSI exam site.
- How do I transfer my out-of-state motorcycle license or endorsement?
New Indiana residents who hold a valid, unexpired motorcycle endorsement from another state may transfer the endorsement to their Indiana driver’s license after passing a motorcycle knowledge exam based on the Motorcycle Operator Manual.
Motorcycle-only licenses must obtain a learner’s permit, log 50 hours of drive time, and pass a drive exam in addition to passing the motorcycle knowledge exam to obtain an Indiana operator’s license with motorcycle endorsement. - How long is my motorcycle endorsement valid?
Your Indiana motorcycle endorsement is valid for the period of validity of your driver’s license. You may renew your motorcycle endorsement at any BMV branch up to two years before the license expires. If you are less than 18 years of age when you get your license, you must renew your license between your 21st birthday and no more than 30 days after your 21st birthday. Learn more about renewing a driver's license.
- How do I replace my driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement?
You may request a replacement online at myBMV.com, BMV Connect, or BMV branch provided none of your information has changed since your last issuance.
- How do I get an endorsement again if I dropped it?
If you removed your endorsement and want to get it back, it depends on how long the endorsement has been removed from the driver’s license. If you removed the endorsement more than 180 days ago but less than three years ago a motorcycle knowledge exam only is required. If it has been more than three years a motorcycle knowledge exam, skills exam, and vision screening is required or successful completion of a motorcycle safety course must be submitted. You can see a list of approved RSI providers here.
Motorcycle Riding Skills Exam FAQs
- Do I need a motorcycle learner’s permit before I can take a riding skills exam?
Yes, you must hold a valid motorcycle learner’s permit prior to completing a skills exam.
- Are there any restrictions when operating a motorcycle with the motorcycle learner’s permit?
Yes, if you operate a motorcycle with a motorcycle learner’s permit you must wear a United States DOT-approved helmet, you may ride only during daylight hours, and you may not carry passengers.
- Do I need to bring my own motorcycle to take the riding skills exam?
Yes, you must provide the motorcycle you intend to use for the skills exam.
- How do I schedule a riding skills exam?
- How much does the riding skills exam cost?
The fee to take the riding skills exam varies by provider. Please review our list of providers and contact them for more details.
- What if I fail my riding skills exam?
If you fail the riding skills exam you must wait until the next business day before attempting the exam again. If you fail the exam three times you must wait two months before taking the exam again.
Completed Your Motorcycle Safety Course?
You can add your motorcycle endorsement to your driver’s license online—no BMV visit needed. Just sign in to your myBMV account to update your license.*
*Some individuals may not be eligible to complete this transaction online.
