How to get a Virginia Motorcycle License
Ready to take your motorcycle on the open road? This article will take you through the steps to get your Virginia motorcycle license with an extra emphasis on safe driving.
The Rules
Under Virginia DMV guidelines, anyone who drives a motorcycle must have a Class M motorcycle license or motorcycle instruction permit.
If you already hold a valid Virginia driver's license without a motorcycle designation, you may add Class M that will allow you to also operate a motorcycle. To obtain this motorcycle designation, you must:
- Pass the required vision screening
- Pass the motorcycle knowledge exam
- Pass the motorcycle road skills test
IF YOU ARE 19 OR OLDER and you have never held a license issued by any Virginia, U.S. territory or foreign country, you must also:
- Hold a motorcycle learner's permit for at least 30 DAYS
- OR
- Provide the DMV with a certificate from the Virginia Rider Training Program indicating that you have successfully completed the Virginia-approved motorcycle safety course. NOTE: If you provide DMV with a valid motorcycle safety course certificate, you will be exempt from holding the motorcycle learner's permit for 30 days and from taking the motorcycle road skills test at DMV.
IF YOU ARE UNDER 19, you must also:
- Hold a motorcycle learner's permit for at least 9 MONTHS (This requirement does not apply if you were age 18 and your motorcycle learner's permit was issued prior to July 1, 2002.)
- AND
- Provide DMV with a certificate from the Virginia Rider Training Program indicating that you have successfully completed the Virginia-approved motorcycle safety course. NOTE: You will be exempt from taking the motorcycle road skills test at DMV.
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.
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 to operate another type of vehicle, you will have to pass the knowledge exam and road skills test for that vehicle type.
Prepare for the Written Exam
The Virginia DMV requires that all applicants must pass a written motorcycle knowledge test on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques.
If you fail the exam, some states require you to wait until at least until the next day to take the test again and charge a re-examination fee.
All motorcyclists are encouraged to study for this written test so you don't take a chance on standing in line at the DMV Office only to go home empty-handed. Online practice tests are available that provide real sample questions from the Virginia DMV Motorcycle Exam. Take the Virginia sample motorcycle test now and test your driving knowledge.Paperwork
Before you head to the Virginia DMV Office, make sure you have the following required documents to get your motorcycle license. Examples include:
- Certified or original Birth certificate issued in any state
- Drivers license or instruction permit issued in another state
- U.S. passport
- U.S. military ID card (active duty, retired, reserve)
- Virginia ID card
- Social Security Number, if issued,
- Documents from a court of record
- Marriage certificate
On the Road
Once your licensing requirements have been met, a Class M endorsement will be added to your driver's license. Remember... the safe operation of a motorcycle requires practiced skill, knowledge, and a respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the operator, the machine, and the environment.
Motorcycle License Resources
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Virginia Motorcycle Manual Virginia DMV Virginia Motorcycle Practice Test |
