Articles/MotorcycleLicense

How to get you Motorcycle Licenses

A New York resident must have a Class M or Class MJ driver license or learner permit to drive a motorcycle. The process to apply for a motorcycle license is different for the following conditions:

• If you have a NYS driver license or learner permit.
• If you do not have a NYS driver license or learner permit.
• If you have a motorcycle license from another state.
• Motorcycle road test waiver.

If you have a NYS driver license or permit:

• Study the on-line MV-21MC NYS Motorcycle Operator's Manual to prepare for the motorcycle written test. You can also get a copy of the manual from your local DMV Office or DMV Call Center.
• Read the MV-44.1 driver license application instructions and complete form MV-44 for a learner permit.
• Bring the completed form MV-44 and your current NYS photo driver license to a local DMV Office that offers written tests, and pay the $21 permit fee.
• Pass the written test, and receive your Class M or Class MJ permit. This permit is valid for one year. You can renew the permit one time for an additional year. To get a new permit after a renewal, you must apply for a new permit and take the motorcycle written test again.

Motorcycle Permit Supervision, Restrictions and Practice:

If you drive a motorcycle with a permit, a driver who is 21 years or age or older and who has a valid motorcycle license from NYS or another state must supervise you. The motorcycle driver who supervises you must remain within 1/4 mile of you at all times. To learn about all the restrictions for learner permits and Class MJ driver licenses, see the DMV brochure, Learner Permits and Junior Licenses.

The DMV recommends that you take instruction from a commercial driving school if possible. The DMV recommends that you have at least 30 hours of practice on a motorcycle, with at least 10 hours of practice in medium to high volume traffic before you take your motorcycle road test.

Schedule your motorcycle road test:

You do not need a pre-licensing course or Driver Education certificate if you already have a NYS driver license. For the road test, you must provide:

• A registered and inspected motorcycle with the correct equipment, and
• A registered and inspected motor vehicle with the correct equipment operated by a driver age 18 or older who has a valid driver license. This motor vehicle and driver will transport the license examiner during the road test.
• Your photo learner permit.
• You also must give the examiner your five-hour pre-licensing course completion certificate (MV-278) or your Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285).
• If you are under 18 years old, and do not have a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285). you must give the license examiner a completed "Certificate of 20 Hours of Driving Experience" (MV-262).

If you pass the road test, the examiner issues you a temporary motorcycle license. Wait at least 7 days after your road test, and then bring your temporary motorcycle license, motorcycle permit and current photo driver license to a DMV office. Complete form MV-44 and mark the box at the top of the form that indicates "Change." Write "Add Class M (or MJ)" in the other box that indicates, "Other Change." Pay the $10 driver license document fee. The two driver license classes are listed on one driver license document (for example, Class DM). The local DMV office issues a temporary driver license without a photo. You receive your photo driver license by mail in approximately three weeks. The new driver license expires on the same date as your previous driver license.

If you DO NOT have a NYS driver license or out-of-state driver license:

• Study the on-line NYS Motorcycle Operator's Manual and the on-line NYS Driver's Manual to prepare for the written tests. You can also get these manuals from a local DMV Office.
• Read the MV-44.1 driver license application instructions and complete form MV-44 for a learner permit.
• Pay the fees indicated for an original Class M or Class MJ permit / driver license as shown on the original driver license fee schedule. If you plan to apply for a motorcycle permit and another class of learner permit, apply for the other learner permit first. When you have the other learner permit, complete another form MV-44 to apply for your motorcycle permit.
• Pass the written tests, and receive your Class M or Class MJ permit. The motorcycle permit is valid for a maximum of 5 years. You cannot renew this permit. If your permit expires, you must apply for a new permit and take the written tests again.

Motorcycle Permit Supervision, Restrictions and Practice:

If you drive a motorcycle with a permit, a driver who is 21 years or age or older has a valid motorcycle license from NYS or another state must supervise you. The motorcycle driver who supervises you must remain within 1/4 mile of you at all times. To learn about all the restrictions for learner permits and Class MJ driver licenses, see the DMV brochure, Learner Permits and Junior Licenses.

The DMV recommends that you take instruction from a commercial driving school if possible. The DMV recommends that you have at least 30 hours of practice on a motorcycle, with at least 10 hours in medium to high volume traffic before you take your motorcycle road test.

A pre-licensing course or Driver Education course is required. Because this is your first driver license, you must take a pre-licensing course or driver education course before you can make a road test appointment. See "Driving Instruction" in the telephone directory yellow pages for DMV-licensed commercial schools that provide the pre-licensing course. The pre-licensing course certificate is valid for one year. A driver education certificate is valid for two years.

Schedule your motorcycle road test:

You do not need a pre-licensing course or Driver Education certificate if you already have a NYS driver license. For the motorcycle road test, you must provide:

• A motorcycle with a valid registration, current inspection and the correct equipment.
• A motor vehicle with a valid registration, inspection and correct equipment and a driver age 18 or older who has a valid driver license. This vehicle and driver will transport the license examiner during the road test.
• Your photo learner permit.
• You also must give the examiner your five-hour pre-licensing course completion certificate (MV-278) or your Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285).
• If you are under 18 years old, and do not have a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285). you must give the license examiner a completed "Certificate of 20 Hours of Driving Experience" (MV-262).

If you pass the road test, the license examiner issues you a temporary motorcycle license. If you do not have another class of license, you receive your photo motorcycle license by mail in approximately three weeks and you do not have to visit a DMV office.

If you have a motorcycle license from another state:

Complete form MV-44 to exchange your out-of-state driver license for a NYS license.

Surrender your out-of-state driver license, show proof of identity and date of birth, and pay the application fee and driver license fee. The DMV calculates your fee at the time you apply. The DMV cannot calculate your exact fee until you apply.

The local DMV office issues a temporary driver license without a photo. Examine the temporary driver license and make sure Class M is listed. You receive your photo driver license by mail in approximately three weeks.

Motorcycle road test waiver:

The DMV can waive the motorcycle road test if you complete an approved rider course. The DMV and the Motorcycle Association of New York State (MANYS) have approved the following course providers to administer the motorcycle road test waiver. To get information about courses in your area visit the MANYS web site, or call them toll-free at 1-888-4NYRIDE (469-7433), or at (212) 579-5543.

Rider courses from another state or the U.S. Armed Forces: You cannot get a waiver for a motorcycle road test if you completed a rider course in another state. Contact the MANYS about a waiver for a course taken through the Armed Forces.