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What is the difference between a motorcycle license and endorsement?
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The Motorcycle License
A motorcycle license is just that – a license that allows you to legally operate a motorcycle. When you’re dealing with a motorcycle license, you’re dealing with a tangible plastic card, just like a drivers license, that shows law enforcement and anyone else who might ask that you’ve met all your state requirements and are perfectly within the law to operate a motorcycle--only.You see, in most cases a motorcycle license is actually a motorcycle-only license, such as the motorcycle license offered by Florida. This means you can operate a motorcycle with it, but you can’t drive a car with it.
The Motorcycle Endorsement
A motorcycle endorsement, on the other hand, isn’t tangible and doesn’t carry the same restrictions as a license. A motorcycle endorsement, like the one Rhode Island offers, sort of piggybacks the drivers license you already have.Obtaining a Motorcycle License or Endorsement
First, contact your DMV and find out which one your state requires to operate motorcycles: a license or endorsement. Note that some states, like West Virginia, offer both. In cases like that, what you get depends on what you already have.Then, ask about the requirements to obtain one. Some highlights you might want to cover include:
- Age requirements. Some states, like Washington DC, won’t let you get a motorcycle permit or license until you’re 18; others aren’t as strict.
- Motorcycle permit requirements. Do you have to have a motorcycle permit before you can get a license or endorsement, or will a regular learners permit or drivers license suffice? Are permits only required for certain age groups?
- Motorcycle training requirements. Not all states require applicants to enroll in a motorcycle safety course, but nearly every one offers these courses and some will waive the road test for successfully completing one. Ask a DMV agent about course requirements and availability.
- Motorcycle test requirements. Find out if you have to take a written and/or road test (the road test requirement might seem like a no-brainer, especially if you don’t take a safety course, but Alabama actually doesn’t require one), whether you need an appointment, and whether you need to provide your own bike.
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