Obtaining a Motorcycle License

Class M Designation

If you already hold a valid Virginia driver's license without a motorcycle designation, you may add a Class M designation to your license that will allow you to operate a motorcycle.

If you are 19 or older you must do the following to add the Class M designation to your current license:

• Pass the required vision screening
• Pass the motorcycle knowledge exam
• Hold a motorcycle learner's permit for 30 days
• Pass the motorcycle road skills test

If you provide DMV with a certificate of completion from the Virginia Rider Training Program issued before July 1, 2007, you will not have to hold a learner's permit for 30 days or take the motorcycle road skills test. Certificates issued before July 1, 2007, are valid for a period of two years from the date of completion.

Providing a Virginia Rider Training Program certificate of completion that is issued after July 1, 2007 also exempts you from taking the motorcycle knowledge exam and when carried with your Virginia driver's license you may operate a motorcycle for 30 days from the date of course completion.

You must apply within the 30 days at DMV to add the Class M to your license to remain eligible to operate a motorcycle.

If you are under 19, to receive a motorcycle designation on your driver's license, you must:

• Pass the required vision screening
• Pass the motorcycle knowledge exam
• Hold a motorcycle learner's permit for 9 months
• Pass the motorcycle road skills test

If you provide DMV with a Virginia Rider Training Program certificate of completion issued before July 1, 2007 you are exempt from taking the motorcycle road skills test for a period of two years from course completion. Completion certificates issued after July 1, 2007 exempt you from taking the motorcycle knowledge exam and road skills test for a period of one year from course completion.

The motorcycle class costs $2.00 per year. It is valid for the same period of time as your driver's license. When you renew your driver's license, remember to renew your Class M designation also.

Driver's License Restricted to Operation of a Motorcycle

If you do not hold a driver's license, you may obtain a driver's license that allows you to operate ONLY a motorcycle.

In addition to the above requirements for adding a motorcycle designation to a driver's license, you must:

• Pass the two-part driver's license knowledge exam

The motorcycle-only driver's license costs $6.00 per year and is valid for 5 years. Remember that this type of driver's license allows you to operate only a motorcycle. If you decide later that you want a regular driver's license, you will have to pass only the driver road skills test. For more information, refer to Applying for a License.

If you are under 19, you must provide proof of successful completion of an approved driver education program before receiving any Virginia driver's license, even if you are applying for a motorcycle-only license. This is a separate program from the Virginia Rider Training Program.

If you hold a valid out-of-state driver's license and you complete the Virginia Rider Training Program, you will NOT be eligible for a Virginia motorcycle-only license because Virginia law prohibits you from holding both your out-of-state license and any type of Virginia license. However, you may be able to exchange your out-of-state driver's license for a Virginia license and obtain the Class M designation.

If you hold a valid out-of-state driver's license but you not have a motorcycle class designation on your license but do possess an out of state motorcycle safety course certificate, you are not eligible for a Virginia Class M designation. Virginia does not accept out of state motorcycle safety course certificates. To receive a Class M designation, you must pass the motorcycle knowledge and road skills tests and hold a motorcycle learner's permit for 30 days. If you are under 19, you will need to hold a motorcycle learner's permit for 9 months.