Which Motorcycle Safety Course is Right for You?
Entry Level Motorcycle Safety Course:
- Novice riders at least 15 years of age*
- Classroom instruction and practical riding experience in a controlled, off-street setting**
- Knowledge exam and riding-skill evaluation at conclusion of course
Advanced Skills Motorcycle Course:
- Experienced riders with a valid Indiana motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle permit
- One day course for seasoned riders to fine-tune skills needed for safe and successful travel
- Optional knowledge exam and riding-skill evaluation at conclusion of course
Three Wheel Motorcycle Entry Level Safety Course:
- Novice three-wheel motorcycle riders at least 15 years of age*
- Classroom instruction and practical riding experience in a controlled, off-street setting**
- Knowledge exam and riding-skill evaluation at conclusion of course
*Graduation documents are only valid for a period of one (1) year from date of issuance
**Motorcycles provided for new riders in Entry Level Safety Courses.
Entry Level Safety Course
The Entry Level Motorcycle Safety Course is designed for beginning riders of all ages and includes five hours of classroom instruction plus 10 hours of practical riding exercises in a controlled, off-street environment. Motorcycles are provided free of charge for your use during the course.
Your first day will start in the classroom, where you will discuss types of motorcycles, basic controls of a motorcycle, protective gear, and the effects of alcohol and other drugs.
Next, you'll move to the riding range to start off learning straight-line riding, stopping, shifting, and turning. You'll gradually progress to swerving and emergency braking.
The course concludes with a knowledge exam and a riding-skill evaluation. If you successfully pass both exams, there's no need to visit a branch to get your endorsement; it will be available to apply to your license online.
Advanced Skills Motorcycle Training Course
Even if you've been riding for some time, there is always something new to learn. The Advanced Skills Motorcycle Training Course is a single day course (total of 7 hours) that helps you fine-tune the skills needed for safe and successful travel in traffic.
Topics include how to balance the mental and physical aspects of safe riding, manage risk, increase visibility and optimize your lane position. The course also covers rider responsibility, motorcycle inspection and care, the effects of alcohol and other drugs on riding, and includes an optional skill evaluation and knowledge test.
Participants must possess a valid Indiana motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle permit. You will use your own helmet and motorcycle in the Advanced Skills Motorcycle Training Course.
Three Wheel Motorcycle Entry Level Safety Course
The Three Wheel Motorcycle Entry Level Safety Course is designed for riders of all ages and includes six hours of classroom instruction plus eight hours of practical riding exercises in a controlled, off-street environment. Course participants use their own three wheel motorcycles.
Your first day will start in the classroom, where you will discuss types of motorcycles, basic controls of a motorcycle, protective gear, and the effects of alcohol and other drugs.
Next, you'll move to the riding range to start off learning straight-line riding, stopping, shifting, and turning. You'll gradually progress to swerving and emergency braking.
The course concludes with a knowledge exam and a riding-skill evaluation. If you successfully pass both exams, there's no need to visit a branch to get your endorsement; it will be available to apply to your license online.
Motorcycle Safety Courses FAQs
Motorcycle safety courses are administered by Ride Safe Indiana-approved providers.
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.
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.
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.
The Entry Level Motorcycle Safety Course is designed for beginner riders. At a minimum, you must be able to ride a bicycle.
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.
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.
No. Only a state-issued driver’s license or identification card is required to be presented in order to take a 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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes. Please send an email to MotorcycleSafety@bmv.in.gov for assistance.