How to get Your Motorcycle Endorsement
You’re here! We’re so excited to welcome you to the world, community, and culture of motorcycling. Let’s dive into the steps you must take to get your motorcycle endorsement or license.
Option 1)
In the United States, fourty-six of the fifty states use the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (the others use their own state provided program) to train riders to take a written and riding test required by the state you reside in, to earn your motorcycle endorsement.
Check your local area for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) or equivalent program to get training and tested for your motorcycle endorsement.
Benefits to taking the MSF or state equivalent is:
They provide you with a motorcycle to ride
You’ll spend multiple days with rider instructors
Group setting
In-class or at-home learning for the written portion of the test
In-person rider instruction
All test take place at the end of the class, all in the same place you’ve practiced
Some courses will lend you a DOT approved helmet (some do not)
Upon passing the written and riding tests, you’ll be awarded a paper certificate which needs to be taken your local DMV office and turned into a real motorcycle endorsement. Don’t wait on this because that certificate does and will expire.
Your motorcycle endorsement is not an additional license, your endorsement is just a code which will be printed on an updated license. The motorcycle endorsement code is either on the front or the back of your license and varies from state to state. When you renew your license anytime after receiving your endorsement or move to a new state, be diligent to ensure your endorsement remains or transfers to your new license. If it is missed, you will have to retake the MSF or state equivalent all over again, regardless of how long you had the previous endorsement.
Option 2)
If you would rather skip the MSF or state equivalent course and go straight to the written and riding test, you can. There are a couple things to take into consideration with this option for getting your motorcycle endorsement.
The last bullet point is important so let’s discuss this in more depth
You must check with your local DMV to ensure this is an option
You must provide your own motorcycle for the riding test
You will be required to wear a properly fitted DOT approved helmet
You’ll need to already know how to ride
The last bullet point is important so let’s discuss this in more depth. Option 2 is a great fit for a rider who knows they want more out of their learning experience, wants one-on-one coaching, and/or doesn’t thrive in group learning environments. Option 2 requires more effort than Option 1, in that you’ll need to borrow, rent, or own a motorcycle for any training prior to, and during the riding test conducted by your local DMV office. However, Option 2 can also be more enriching if you find a great instructor or coach.
Option 2 is where CLEAR Moto comes into play. We can provide the coaching you want in order to not only pass the riding test but thrive. You will have a deeper understanding of motorcycling through our Motorcycle Familiarization and the CLEAR Moto Five Foundational Skills. All of which will elevate your confidence, proficiency, and control as a rider and motorcycle operator.
Which is Right for You
Option 1 and 2 are both appropriate avenues to getting your motorcycle endorsement. You need to make a decision on which is going to be the best fit for you. CLEAR Moto is happy to help you out if you choose Option 2 for yourself. We are also thrilled to be a secondary training program for you if you desire more rider training after your MSF or state equivalent course.
