Motorcycles

I'm interested in getting licensed to operate a motorcycle. How do I go about getting a motorcycle license?

Since 1980, Indiana has required that people operating a motorcycle on a public street or highway have a valid motorcycle operator's permit or motorcycle endorsement on their operator's license (operator, public passenger/chauffeur or CDL).  If you currently have an operator's license of any kind, you are eligible to apply for a motorcycle operator's learner permit. The permit can be obtained by passing a written test and paying the proper fee. Motorcycle Operator Manuals are available at all license branches and also online in a PDF version.

Anyone taking the written test for a permit is strongly encouraged to read the MOM first. The permit is valid for one year. It allows you to operate on public streets and highways with three restrictions:

• you may not carry a passenger
• you can ride only during daylight hours and
• you must wear an approved helmet and eye protection. You must hold the motorcycle operator's permit for at least 30 days before you can apply for a motorcycle endorsement on your license.

Once you have held the motorcycle permit for at least 30 days, you have two options to obtain your motorcycle endorsement.

You can either take a motorcycle skills (riding) test and pass it, OR show proof of having passed an approved motorcycle safety course.  A safety course completion card is valid for waiver of the skills test for up to one year from your course completion date. Locations, dates, times and other details for the motorcycle skills test, and locations, dates, times and other details to register for a safety course can both be found online.

After passing the skills test or the safety course, you can go to any license branch with your permit and proof of passing the skills test or safety course completion card to be issued a new operator's permit with a motorcycle endorsement on it.

What if I don't have an operator's license of any kind? Can I still get a motorcycle license?

Yes. If you don't have an operator's license of any kind, and you are at least 15 years old, you are eligible for a temporary motorcycle learner's permit. To be issued a temporary motorcycle learner's permit you must present a proof of enrollment form/card from an approved motorcycle safety course, proper identification from the BMV document list, pass vision screening test, have a parent sign financial liability (if applicable) and pay the appropriate fee. Proof of enrollment can be obtained from your course instructor or from the organization sponsoring the course once your registration is confirmed.

The temporary permit DOES NOT allow you to operate on a public street or highway until after you have successfuly completed the safety course. Once the course has been successfuly completed and you have in your possession an "Indiana Motorcycle Operator Safety Education Program" card the permit is considered validated and allows you to operate on public streets and highways with four (4) restrictions:

• no passengers
• daylight operation only
• you must wear an approved helmet and eye protection
• you must be under the supervision of a licensed motorcycle operator who is at least 18 years old - ("supervision" is not specifically defined, it is usually considered to be another rider on another motorcycle riding with the validated temporary permit holder)

Once the temporary motorcycle learner's permit has been held for at least 30 days, and if you are at least 16 years and 30 days old, you can apply for a Motorcycle Only License by presenting the course completion card, pass a written and vision exam, have a parent sign financial liability (if applicable) and pay the appropriate fee. The Motorcycle Only License is just like an operator's license, however it only allows for the operation of a motorcycle.

NOTE: The temporary motorcycle learner permit is only valid for a period of one year, therefore keep in mind that it might expire before the rider reaches the age of 16 years and 30 days.

What if I took a safety course somewhere else, like another state or through the military? Can I still get the skills test waiver?

Indiana has a process in place for recognizing approved safety courses completed in other states and all five branches of the military. First, the one year rule applies across the board. You must have completed the course no more than one year prior to applying for a motorcycle endorsement.
Note: That includes the 30 day wait once you obtain a motorcycle permit. So if your course completion card turns a year old while you are waiting for the 30 day holding period on your permit to be completed, you can not use that card for a waiver of the skills test.

If you passed a motorcycle safety course in another state, or through the military anywhere in the world, make a copy of the course completion card(s) and send them to the Motorcycle Safety Program's State Coordinator. You can fax the copy to (317) 233-0858 or mail it to: Motorcycle Safety Program, Indiana Department of Education, 151 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. You MUST include your mailing address and phone number along with the copy of your course completion card(s).

If it is determined that the course you took meets the same criteria as the Indiana approved courses, you will be issued Indiana course completion cards (dated the same as your original course completion) which will be recognized at any Indiana license branch for waiver of the state skills test. Replacement cards are normally processed in one to three days plus mailing time. You will be notified if it is determined that the course you took does not meet Indiana standards.

I'm going to be moving into Indiana from another state. I currently have a motorcycle endorsement from my state on my driver's license. Will Indiana automatically put a motorcycle endorsement on my new Indiana license?

Not automatically. All 50 states have reciprocity with each other meaning that they all recognize driver's licenses and endorsements (as well as restrictions) from all other states. However, there are differences in state laws that require some level of proof that the new resident knows and understands the vehicle laws of his/her new state.
At the time you are applying for your Indiana license please indicate that you want to keep your motorcycle endorsement and it will be put on your Indiana driver's license once you have passed the motorcycle written test. Therefore, it is recommended that you obtain an Indiana motorcycle operator's manual before taking the test.

Where can I obtain a Motorcycle Operator Manual?

You can pick up a Motorcycle Operator Manual at your local license branch or download the PDF version

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