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Illinois Motorcycle Safety and Driver Training Requirements

To be an Illinois motorcycle rider you must own either a motorcycle permit or a motorcycle license. Whether you need to provide proof of completing a drivers ed course or a motorcycle safety course depends mostly on your age.

Actually, you don’t have to show proof of completing any kind of driver training or motorcycle safety class unless you’re younger than 18; before then, it boils down to drivers ed (or driver training) and motorcycle safety courses.

Drivers Ed or Driver Training Classes

If you're under 18 and don't own an IL drivers license you will need to provide proof of successfully completing a drivers ed course. The class must be state-approved in order to be recognized.

Motorcycle Training Courses

If you're younger than 18 when applying for a motorcycle license, you must provide proof of being enrolled in an Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Rider Education Course. This motorcycle safety course teaches motorcycle riding skills and safe and legal strategies for operating motorcycles on Illinois roads.

The course is optional for licensed drivers 18 or older. But if you complete the course, the Secretary of State (SOS) will waive the skills, or road, portion of your motorcycle test requirement.

New Applicants: Get a Motorcycle Permit

If you're applying for the first time, you'll first need to earn a motorcycle permit. This requires passing a written motorcycle test. All questions are based on topics covered in the Illinois motorcycle manual. To study, grab a free copy from any SOS driver license office, or by downloading from the SOS website.

After studying the manual you'll next want to take a practice test. These can found online and feature questions almost identical to those found on the actual exam.