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, forty-six of the fifty states use the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (the others use their own state provided program) to educate and 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 state equivalent program to receive training and be tested to get your motorcycle endorsement.
Benefits to taking the MSF or state equivalent training 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.
Option 2)
Go straight to the written and riding test directly from your local MVD/DMV office. There are a couple things to take into consideration with this option.
You must check with your local MVD/DMV to ensure this is an option
You must provide your own motorcycle for the riding test (they do not provide motorcycles)
There will also be a written test, so practice before on your own
You will be required to wear a properly fitted DOT approved helmet
Check gear/clothing requirements before you take the riding test
This is not a class, it’s a test, and you’ll already need to 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:
Already knows how to ride
Would like to have more training than what the MSF offers (training before the test)
Prefers one-on-one coaching over group settings (training before the test)
Option 2 requires more effort and dedication 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 MVD/DMV office.
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 available for private coaching sessions if you want to have motorcycle rider training before and/or after getting your motorcycle license.
Training takes place in Albuquerque, NM
Three or Six-hour one-on-one training session
Skills taught are more in-depth that that of the MSF
We help you build confidence, proficiency, and control
Turing you into a motorcycle operator, not just a rider
CLEAR Moto is not able to rent you a motorcycle (so you’ll need to have or borrow one for training), and we cannot award you a motorcycle endorsement.
Your New Motorcycle License
Your motorcycle endorsement is not an additional license. A motorcycle endorsement is just a code which will be added to your updated license (be prepared for additional charges to get a new 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 or change states, be diligent to check 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.
Now Ride
Riding is the only way you’ll get better at riding a motorcycle. Your shiny new motorcycle license is not what makes you a motorcyclist. Your dedication to learning the skills and practicing with intention is the only way you’ll advance through the skill level spectrum. So get out there and ride. Then when you need a little training refresher, check back in with us and see what we are offering to keep your skills sharp.
