Motorcycle License in Minnesota
Minnesota is the North Star State, and what better way to check out the area's beautiful night skies than riding a motorcycle?
Take your chance to enjoy the celestial experience by applying for your motorcycle license through the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division.
New to Minnesota
After moving to Minnesota, you have 60 days to transfer your out-of-state license.
If you want to transfer your motorcycle endorsement along with it, visit your local DVS office and:
- Pass the Minnesota knowledge tests for your:
- Driver's license.
AND - Motorcycle endorsement.
- Driver's license.
- Pay the $29 motorcycle endorsement fee.
- You must also pay the $46 MN driver's license fee (see below).
Study with a practice test to ensure you can transfer your license right away.
The office should issue your brand-new Minnesota driver's license—complete with motorcycle endorsement—after finishing the above.
How to Get a Motorcycle License in Minnesota
To qualify for a Minnesota motorcycle license endorsement, you must:
- Be over 16 years old.
- Applicants under 18 years old must complete a Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Center (MMSC) basic rider course.
- Have a valid MN driver's license.
- Pass a written knowledge test.
- You will be issued a motorcycle learner's permit after passing the test.
- Pass a motorcycle skills test.
- If you are 18 years old or older, you can obtain a skills test waiver by successfully completing a basic rider course.
Read below to find out more about completing these steps.
Motorcycle Permits in Minnesota
A motorcycle permit allows you to practice riding your motorcycle under certain limitations.
To get your motorcycle permit, visit your local Minnesota DVS office and:
- Show your MN driver's license.
- While you may take the basic rider course with a standard learner's permit, you must have a full driver's license to get your motorcycle permit.
- Take the motorcycle knowledge test.
- You can only take up to 1 test per day.
- There is a retesting fee of $10 for 3rd exam (and any subsequent tests).
- If you are under 18 years old, provide the DVS with a basic rider course certificate of completion.
- Pay the $29 permit fee.
After paying the fee and passing the exam, the Driver and Vehicle Services office will issue your permit. Time to hit the road and practice!
Permit Limitations
Minnesota motorcycle permit holders must always wear a Department of Transportation (DOT)-approved helmet and eye protection while riding.
Permit holders in MN CANNOT:
- Carry passengers.
- Ride on an interstate at night.
- Ride anywhere between:
- 30 minutes after sunset.
AND - 30 minutes before sunrise.
- 30 minutes after sunset.
Your MN motorcycle permit will be valid for 1 year. If it expires before you complete the licensing process, you'll have to retake your written exam and repay the permit fee.
Motorcycle Skills Test
Once you've practiced with your permit and you're feeling confident, schedule your road test at a DVS exam station.
When you go to the DVS exam station, bring your:
- Minnesota driver's license.
- Motorcycle permit.
- Riders under 18 years old must also bring a certificate of course completion from a state-approved rider training program.
- Properly equipped, insured, and registered motorcycle.
- DOT-approved helmet and eye protection.
If you need to retake the test, there will be a $20 fee upon the 3rd exam and any subsequent tests. The fee must be paid via cash, money order, or check. Credit and debit cards are NOT accepted.
*NOTE: You may be able to waive your skills exam—see Motorcycle Skills Test Waiver below for details.
Motorcycle Skills Test Waiver
If you are 18 years old or older, you can earn a motorcycle skills test waiver by successfully completing an approved basic rider course.
Completion of the course involves passing the course's own skills test. If you fail 2 exams with the basic rider course, you have to take your 3rd exam (and any subsequent tests) with the DVS.
Getting Your MN Motorcycle Endorsement
Once you have met all requirements, the DVS will issue you a motorcycle endorsement.
You will need to apply for a duplicate license and pay BOTH the duplicate license and motorcycle endorsement fees (see below).
If your driver's license is due for renewal, you can have your endorsement added when applying for your license renewal.
MN Motorcycle Education Courses
Completion of a basic rider course is mandatory for applicants under 18 years old BEFORE obtaining a motorcycle permit.
Participants who are 18 years old or older can have their road tests waived by passing the program. To be eligible, you must already have your motorcycle permit.
To participate in a basic rider course, you need to:
- Register directly with the course location of your choice.
- Fill out a Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Course Waiver & Indemnification.
- Must include parent/guardian signature for applicants under 18 years old.
- Pay the $259 course fee.
The course is intended to serve novice and new riders. Motorcycles are provided, while riders must bring their own protective gear. Classroom and on-road instruction will cover:
- Stopping.
- Clutch control.
- Risk management.
- Counter-steering.
- Maximum breaking.
When you get through the course-issued tests, you'll be issued a certificate of completion to bring to the DVS.
Motorcycle License Fees in Minnesota
The Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services division charge the following for motorcycle licenses and related services:
- Motorcycle instruction permit: $29.
- Motorcycle endorsement: $29.
- Duplicate driver's license: $26.
- Basic rider course: $259.
- Regular (Class D) driver's license (for out-of-state transfers): $46.