How to Obtain a Motorcycle Endorsement
- OPTION 1: Complete a Motorcycle Safety Training Course 🚩
- OPTION 2: Obtain a Learner's Permit and Take the Skills Exam 📝
Indiana residents who successfully complete a motorcycle safety training course with an authorized Ride Safe Indiana provider may then add the motorcycle endorsement to their driver's license (either by visiting a branch or by simply logging into myBMV.com).
Approved Ride Safe Indiana providers offer courses for beginning and advanced motorcyclists who want to learn or improve their riding skills. Over the span of three days, course participants receive:
- Five hours of classroom instruction and
- Ten hours of practical riding exercises in a controlled, off-street environment
The course concludes with a knowledge and skills evaluation. Training course results are electronically submitted to the BMV by the approved Ride Safe Indiana provider. Results are valid for one year.
Requirements:
- Must be at least 16 years and 90 days of age
- Must hold a valid Indiana driver's license
Participants are responsible for bringing the following to their training course: DOT certified helmet, full finger gloves, over the ankle boots, long pants, long sleeve shirt, and eye protection. Motorcycles are provided free of charge for your use during the course.
Indiana residents who hold a motorcycle learner's permit may obtain a full endorsement after
- successfully completing a motorcycle skills exam with an approved Ride Safe Indiana skills
AND - turning in the signed/stamped motorcycle learner’s permit at a BMV location.
The motorcycle skills exam is only good for the validity of the motorcycle learner’s permit.
NOTE: Completion of the skills exam, is NOT the same as completing a motorcycle training course.
Requirements:
- Must be at least 16 years and 270 days of age
- Must hold a valid Indiana driver’s license
- Must possess a valid motorcycle learner's permit
- Must bring a DOT-certified helmet
- Must bring a street-legal motorcycle to the skills exam
You may also be required to pass a standard vision screening exam.
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.
Motorcycle Safety Courses FAQs
- Who administers/conducts motorcycle safety courses in Indiana?
Motorcycle safety courses are administered by Ride Safe Indiana providers.
- How much does an RSI-authorized course cost?
Schedules and fees varies by provider. Please review our list of providers and contact them for more details.
- How long does the Entry Level Motorcycle Safety Course take?
The course is approximately 20 hours. Seven hours are dedicated to classroom instruction and 13 hours to riding exercises in a controlled environment. The length of the course is dependent upon each provider.
- Do I need to bring my motorcycle and helmet to the course?
Training motorcycles are provided. Some providers offer loaner helmets, but you should plan to provide your own as you are required to wear a DOT-compliant helmet during the riding portion of your class.
- Do I need to wear any special clothing or equipment to attend a course?
Yes. Come to the riding portion of the course with eye protection, a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, full-fingered gloves, long pants (jeans without holes) and sturdy over-the-ankle footwear. You will not be permitted to participate without the required equipment.
- I’ve never operated a motorcycle but I want to take a safety course. Do I need any riding experience prior to signing up?
The Entry Level Motorcycle Safety Course is designed for beginner riders. At a minimum, you must be able to ride a bicycle.
- I have experience with operating a motorcycle, but I’ve never received my endorsement. Do you offer any courses that qualify for more seasoned riders?
Experienced riders may opt for the Advanced Skills Motorcycle Training Course. Riders must bring their own motorcycles and helmets for this course. Participants must possess a valid Indiana motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle permit.
- If I’m under 18 years old, can I enroll in the course?
Yes. You must be at least 15 years of age, hold a valid state-issued identification card or learner’s permit, and have the permission of a parent or guardian to enroll in a course.
- Do I need to get a motorcycle learner’s permit before I take the course?
No. Only a state-issued driver’s license or identification card is required to be presented in order to take a course.
- What if I don’t pass the knowledge exam or the riding skills evaluations at the end of the course?
If you do not pass the written knowledge exam you are not allowed to re-test. You must re-take the safety course and successfully pass the written and riding skills exam to be eligible for a waiver of the BMV’s written and skills exams. You may reattempt the riding skills exam one time the same day after a failed attempt.
- Will I get a motorcycle endorsement after the course?
Upon completion of the course, graduation results are electronically submitted to the BMV by the course providers. Participants must then visit a BMV location to add the endorsement to their driver license.
- Can I receive a waiver of the riding skills and knowledge exam if I complete a safety course in another state?
If an individual completes a motorcycle safety course out-of-state, whether military or not, the completion form is valid for one year from completion date. While out-of-state completion document(s) are not acceptable for processing, the customer may follow the steps below:
- Successfully complete a motorcycle safety course within the last year;
- Submit a copy of a Motorcycle Safety Course Completion document proving successful completion of motorcycle safety course;
- Submit a copy of Indiana driver’s license; and
- Submit a copy of military ID or orders (if applicable)
Submissions must be sent to MotorcycleSafety@bmv.in.gov. After RSI reviews the documentation, the customer will be contacted with further instructions.
- I'm a new resident to Indiana. How do I transfer my out-of-state motorcycle endorsement?
New Indiana residents who hold a valid motorcycle endorsement from another state may transfer their motorcycle endorsement to their Indiana driver’s license after passing a motorcycle knowledge exam.
- Are accommodations made for active U.S. military personnel who complete a safety course in another state?
Yes. Please send an email to MotorcycleSafety@bmv.in.gov for assistance.
Ready to add your motorcycle endorsement to your driver's license?
Skip the trip to the BMV and amend your license online using your myBMV account.*
*Please note, some indidivudals may not be eligible to complete this transaction online. Learn more.