Although motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles seem worlds apart, obtaining your motorcycle license or endorsement is similar to obtaining your driver's license or CDL endorsements for other vehicles.

Top Motorcycle Endorsement

In order to be eligible for a motorcycle endorsement (F) on your existing driver's license, you must:

• Be at least age 16

• Already possess a Class E driver's license

• Pass a knowledge test and on-cycle skills test (practice tests and answers, as well as a wealth of other information, can be found in the Motorcycle Manual

• Complete Level II GDL before receiving a motorcycle instruction permit (applies only if you are younger than 18)

You can apply at your local DMV office. Fees are $5 for an instruction permit and $1 (per year) for the F endorsement added to your license.

Top Motorcycle-only License

In order to apply for your motorcycle-only license, you must fill the same requirements as needed for a motorcycle endorsement; however, you won't need to test on a four-wheel vehicle.

Top New to West Virginia?

If you're new to West Virginia and already have a motorcycle endorsement, you can transfer your existing endorsement at the same time you transfer your driver's license.

Top Training Courses

Riding a motorcycle offers a certain liberation―the open road, the wind in your hair, the envious expressions of minivan drivers you pass. But no matter how many times we hear, "Get your Motor Runnin'," none of us are as experienced as Peter Fonda's character in "Easy Rider" when we first hop on a motorcycle, and none of us need to try impersonating Evel Knievel the first day of riding, if ever. But riding can still be fun―and safe―thanks to training and safety courses.

West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program

The West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program offers rider courses developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). These courses are taught by MSF-certified instructors and are approved by the state. Successful graduates from the courses reap many rewards, such as being exempt from taking the state riding skills test for their motorcycle licenses or endorsements.

Find available classes and locations at www.wv-msp.org and call 1-866-355-9399 for registration information.

The Basic RiderCourse

The Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is a 15-hour course (five hours of classroom time and 10 hours of on-cycle time) for people ages 16 and older. Applicants younger than 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present on the first day to register and sign permission forms. Training bikes are provided and enrollment fees are $100, payable to the West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program.

The Experienced RiderCourse

The Experienced RiderCourse (ERC) is a one-day course (six hours of on-cycle time and various breaks for discussion) for those riders who are more experienced and are looking to tune up their handling and driving skills. Students must provide their own street-legal bikes that pass inspection. Enrollment fees are $100, payable to the West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program.

Note that an instruction permit (which can be obtained at your local DMV office and requires a written exam) must be obtained for all unendorsed riders enrolling in a course and all applicants must have a valid West Virginia driver's license.

Already licensed and ready to roll? Check out our section on Motorcycle Registration.

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