What you need to do to ride a motorcycle legally in Maryland
In Maryland, you cannot ride a motorcycle on public roads with just a regular driver's license. You need a separate motorcycle endorsement added to your license, or you can get a standalone motorcycle license if you do not drive a car. The endorsement or license proves you have passed both a written test and a riding skills test specific to motorcycles.
Maryland offers two paths: you can take the Motorcycle Safety Program (MSP) course and skip the state riding test, or you can study on your own and take both tests at the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The MSP course is faster for most people because passing it waives the riding exam, though you still take the written test at the MVA.
Key Takeaways
- Maryland requires either a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license or a standalone motorcycle license; a regular license alone does not permit motorcycle riding.
- The Motorcycle Safety Program course includes classroom and hands-on training and waives the state riding test, though you still must pass the written test at the MVA.
- If you skip the MSP course, you must pass both a written test and a riding skills test at the MVA, and you need to bring your own motorcycle or find one to test on.
- The written test covers Maryland motorcycle laws, road signs, and safe riding practices; you can study using the free Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual.
- You must be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle license in Maryland, and riders under 18 must wear a helmet at all times.
Taking the Motorcycle Safety Program course
The MSP course is run by the Maryland Department of Transportation and taught by certified instructors at locations across the state. The course typically runs over a weekend and includes classroom instruction on Friday evening or Saturday morning, followed by hands-on riding practice on a closed course. You do not need to own a motorcycle or have riding experience to enroll; the program provides motorcycles for the riding portion.
When you complete the MSP course successfully, you receive a certificate of completion. Take this certificate to any MVA office along with your current driver's license, proof of identity, and proof of Social Security number. You will still take the written motorcycle test at the MVA, but passing the course waives the riding skills test. The fee for the MSP course varies by provider but typically ranges from around $200 to $300. The MVA fee to add the endorsement to your license is a separate charge.
To find MSP courses near you, visit the Maryland Department of Transportation website or call the MVA directly. Courses fill up, especially in spring and summer, so register early if you want a specific date or location.
Testing without the MSP course
If you choose not to take the MSP course, you can study on your own and take both the written and riding tests at the MVA. You must bring your own motorcycle to the riding test, or arrange to use someone else's. The motorcycle must be street-legal and registered in Maryland or another state, and it must be the same type and size you plan to ride (the MVA will not let you test on a 50cc scooter if you want to ride a full-size motorcycle).
The written test covers Maryland motorcycle laws, road signs, hazard recognition, and safe riding techniques. You can study using the free Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual, available on the MVA website or in print at any MVA office. The test has 25 questions, and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass. You get one chance per visit; if you fail, you can return and test again after paying the test fee again.
The riding skills test takes place on a closed course and lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. An examiner watches you perform specific maneuvers: starting, stopping, turning, swerving, and braking. The test is designed to show whether you can control the motorcycle safely, not to trick you. Many people who fail do so because they have not practiced enough beforehand, not because the test is unreasonably hard.
What to bring to the MVA for your written test
Bring your current driver's license or state ID, proof of your Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your Maryland residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you are under 18, bring a parent or guardian's consent form, available on the MVA website.
If you are adding the endorsement to an existing Maryland license, bring that license. If you are getting a standalone motorcycle license, bring the same documents you would need for a regular driver's license. The MVA will take a new photo for your license, so plan for that.
Bring payment for the test fee and the license fee. The test fee is separate from the license fee. Fees change periodically, so check the MVA website or call ahead to confirm the exact amounts.
Age requirements and helmet laws
You must be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle license in Maryland. If you are 16 or 17, you can get a license, but you must wear a helmet every time you ride, even if you are riding on private property. This is a state law, not a suggestion. Riders 18 and older are not required by law to wear a helmet, though safety experts recommend it regardless of age.
If you are under 18, you also cannot ride between midnight and 5 a.m. unless you are traveling to or from work, school, or a medical appointment. These restrictions lift once you turn 18.
After you pass: getting your endorsement or license
Once you pass the written test (and the riding test, if you did not take the MSP course), the MVA will issue your motorcycle endorsement or license on the spot. If you are adding an endorsement to your current license, your existing license will be updated. If you are getting a standalone motorcycle license, you will receive a new license card.
Your new license or endorsement is valid when ready. You can ride a motorcycle on public roads in Maryland right away. If you took the MSP course, make sure you bring your certificate of completion to the MVA; without it, you will have to take the riding test even though you passed the course.
Renewing your motorcycle endorsement or license
A motorcycle endorsement or license in Maryland is valid for the same period as your regular driver's license — typically five years for adults. You renew it at the same time you renew your driver's license, either online, by mail, or in person at an MVA office. You do not have to retake the written or riding test to renew; you straightforward pay the renewal fee and provide updated information if anything has changed.
If your license expires while you are riding, you are breaking the law. Set a reminder a few months before your expiration date so you have time to renew before it lapses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a motorcycle with just a regular driver's license?
No. In Maryland, you must have a motorcycle endorsement or a standalone motorcycle license to ride a motorcycle on public roads. Riding without one is illegal and can result in a fine and points on your license.
Do I have to take the MSP course, or can I just test at the MVA?
You can choose either path. The MSP course waives the riding test but costs money and takes a weekend. Testing at the MVA is free but requires you to pass both a written and riding test, and you must bring your own motorcycle to the riding test.
What if I fail the written test?
You can take the test again at any MVA office after paying the test fee again. There is no waiting period between attempts. Most people who fail study the Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual more thoroughly and pass on the second try.
Can I get a motorcycle license if I do not have a regular driver's license?
Yes. You can get a standalone motorcycle license without having a car license. You will need to provide the same documents (proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency) and pass the same written and riding tests.
What size motorcycle can I ride with my endorsement?
Maryland does not restrict motorcycle size based on your license type. Once you have the endorsement or license, you can ride any motorcycle, from a small scooter to a large touring bike. However, some insurance companies may charge higher premiums for younger riders on larger bikes.