Motorcycle Endorsement

Endorsement Required

In Utah, you must have a motorcycle endorsement to drive a motorcycle. This is represented by an "M" on your license.

Age Requirememts

To apply for a motorcycle endorsement, you must be at least 16 years of age and hold a Class D driver license.

Recommended Course

Motorcycle courses offer vital knowledge/skills. Course completion will waive the rider skills test.

Written Knowledge Test

Required to pass a 25-question closed-book test. Study this Motorcycle Operator Manual.

Helmet Requirements

All riders under 21 years of age must wear a helmet.

Rider Skills Test

Required to pass a rider (driving) skills test. Study this Motorcycle Operator Manual.

What is a motorcycle?

A motorcycle is a two-wheeled (sometimes three-wheeled) motorized vehicle, typically powered by an internal combustion engine, and steered using handlebars. It's designed to carry one or two passengers on a seat or saddle.
A motor-driven cycle is a motorcycle, motor scooter, moped, electric-assisted bicycle, motor-assisted scooter, and every motorized bicycle having an engine with less than 150 cubic centimeters displacement or a motor that produces not more than five horsepower.
You can read at the bottom of this page about the different types of motor-driven cycles and if they require a motorcycle endorsement.

The Beginning Rider Course (BRC) is a 15-hour course; 10 hours are spent on the motorcycle. The schools provide motorcycles and helmets. The schools use 150cc and 250cc motorcycles; if you take the course on one of those motorcycles, you will be restricted to that size of motorcycle. If you want to ride motorcycles larger than what you tested on with the school, you can re-test with the school or the Driver License Division.

Those schools also provide an Experienced Rider Course (ERC). This course is five hours long. If you have recent motorcycle riding experience and have over 2000 miles, you may take the ERC and ask to be tested on your motorcycle.

If you complete the BRC or ERC test, you will receive a riding skills test waiver card that you can take to the Driver License Division to waive the rider skills test. You must show your completion card (BRC) or (ERC) to the Driver License Division within six months of course completion.

Motorcycle Schools (call or visit the website for fees and information):

Salt Lake Community College
https://www.utahmotorcycletraining.com/
801.957.5200
Salt Lake Harley-Davidson
https://www.harleydavidsonofsaltlakecity.com/Riding-Academy
801.487.4647
2928 South State Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84115
Summit Harley-Davidson
https://summitharley.com/harleydavidson-riding-academy
801.434.4647
555 South Geneva Road
Lindon, Utah 84042
Utah Rider Education
https://www.utahridered.com/
801.394.6564
Classes taught in South Jordan, Ogden, Park City, St. George
Utah Tech University
https://ce.utahtech.edu/motorcycle/
435.652.7675
225 South 700 East
St. George, Utah 84770
Zion Harley-Davidson
https://zionhd.com/Services/Learn-To-Ride
888.329.2682
2345 North Coral Canyon Road
Washington, Utah 84780

Depending on the size of the motorcycle you are tested upon, you may be restricted to what size motorcycle you are permitted to drive. These restrictions are:

0 = 99 cc or less
2 = 249 cc or less
3 = 649 cc or less
No restriction = 650 cc or more

If you are tested on a three-wheeled motorcycle, you will have a restriction on your license, allowing you only to ride three-wheeled motorcycles. This includes two wheels on the front or the rear of the motorcycle.

For the first two months of the motorcycle learner permit, you will be restricted to riding a motorcycle with:

No passengers.
No riding between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am unless it is to or from the rider's residence, place of employment, agricultural operation, or in an emergency.
No riding on highways posted at more than 60 miles per hour.
There are no restrictions for the third through sixth months.

Riders less than 19 years of age are required to hold the motorcycle learner permit for a minimum of two months unless the rider provides evidence that the Motorcycle Safety Foundations Basic Rider Education course has been completed.

Note: If you are 15 years and six months old and hold a valid learner permit or license for any classification, you may enroll in and complete a motorcycle rider course.

“Lane filtering” is the process of a motorcyclist moving between two lanes in the same direction to the front of traffic stopped at an intersection, and speeds of 45 mph and lower is legal.

Watch this example of lane filtering created by the Layton PD.

Motorcycles can only filter when:

You are on a roadway, or an off-ramp, divided into two or more adjacent traffic lanes in the same direction of travel.
You are on a roadway with a speed limit of 45 MPH or less, or an off-ramp. Lane filtering is not permitted on an on-ramp.
Your traveling speed is 15 MPH or less.
The vehicle you are overtaking in the same lane must be stopped.

Lane filtering is a choice and can present unique safety challenges for the inexperienced rider. If riders choose to lane filter, always use extreme caution.

STEPS

Gather Your Documents For Your Motorcycle Learner Permit:
- Current Utah driver license.
- If a limited-term applicant, bring proof of lawful presence in the U.S.
- Address verification (2) if you have moved from your last known address on file.
  
  If you submit your address change online prior to scheduling your appointment, address verification will not be required.
If you were recently married/divorced, or the name on your driver license or ID card doesn't match the name on your birth certificate, amended birth certificate, or passport, you'll need legal documentation to explain the difference.

These documents could be:

A certified marriage certificate from the state

A divorce decree

An updated passport

A new birth certificate

Adoption papers

A citizenship or naturalization certificate

Court papers showing the name change, sealed by the court
Submit Application and Schedule Appointment:
- You will need to schedule an appointment to visit a Driver License office to start the process of adding a motorcycle endorsement to your Utah driver license.
Apply for Motorcycle Learner Permit
Arrive For Your Appointment:
- Have your appointment confirmation number ready to check in at the front desk.
- Take a photo.
- Take a number.
- Present documents to the examiner.
- Complete the eye test.
- Pay the non-refundable fee for a replacement/renewal of your license, plus the motorcycle endorsement fee. A new driver license is needed to add the "M" endorsement to the license.
- Take the 25-question closed-book written knowledge test and pass to receive your motorcycle learner permit.
- Come back to this page and move to step 4 when you are ready to complete your motorcycle rider skills test, or if you failed the motorcycle written knowledge test, schedule a retake test appointment.
Motorcycle Rider Skills Test:
- You have two options:
  
  Complete the rider skills test at the Driver License Division, click to schedule a driving (rider) skills test appointment; or
  
  Complete an MSF basic rider course, or an advanced rider course and bring the completion card back to the Driver License Division to waive the rider skills test. Click to schedule your license appointment.
Arrive For Your Appointment:
- Have your appointment confirmation number ready to check in at the front desk.
- Have your motorcycle learner permit.
- If you are taking the rider skills test, you should have driven your motorcycle and be ready to test.
- If you brought your MSF completion card to waive the rider skills test, notify the front desk when you arrive.
- If you came back to this step because you have failed the motorcycle rider skills test, schedule a retake test appointment.
When Do I Get My Endorsement/License?
- When you have passed the written knowledge test and rider skills test, you will be given a temporary paper license.
- The hard copy license will be mailed to you in approximately 4-6 weeks.
- The expiration date of your replacement license would be the same as your current license; however, if you were eligible to renew your license, the expiration date would depend on your license type.