What you need to do to ride legally in Texas
A motorcycle license in Texas is called an endorsement, and you add it to your existing driver's license rather than getting a separate card. To get one, you pass a written test about motorcycle safety, a riding skills test on an actual motorcycle, and pay a fee. You can take the riding test through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) directly, or you can take an approved motorcycle safety course that waives the riding test requirement — many riders choose the course because it's often faster and sometimes lowers your insurance.
The written test covers things like how to brake on a motorcycle, what to do if your tire blows, and how to position yourself on the road. The riding test, if you take it through DPS, happens at a testing location and lasts about 20 minutes. If you take a safety course instead, an instructor watches you ride and signs off that you passed, then you skip the DPS riding test entirely.
Key Takeaways
- You must pass a written test about motorcycle operation and safety, which you can study for using the Texas Motorcycle Operator Manual available free on the DPS website.
- You can pass the riding skills requirement either by taking a test at a DPS location or by completing an approved motorcycle safety course, which many riders prefer because it's often faster.
- An approved safety course costs money but often qualifies you for insurance discounts that pay back the course fee within a year.
- You must be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle endorsement in Texas, and you need a valid driver's license or learner's permit first.
The written test and what it covers
The Texas motorcycle written test has 25 questions, and you need to answer at least 20 correctly to pass. Questions cover how to start and stop a motorcycle, how to handle curves and obstacles, what to do in bad weather, and how to share the road with other vehicles. You can retake the test the same day if you fail, though you'll pay the fee again.
The Texas Motorcycle Operator Manual is free and available as a PDF on the DPS website. It's about 40 pages and covers everything the test asks about. Most people read through it once and take some practice tests online (also free, through various motorcycle safety organizations) before showing up to test. You don't need to memorize it — understanding the concepts is what matters.
You take the written test at any DPS office that handles driver's license services. Bring your valid driver's license or learner's permit, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease works), and your Social Security number. The test takes about 15 minutes.
Taking the riding test through DPS versus a safety course
If you take the riding test directly through DPS, you show up at a designated testing location with a motorcycle you own or borrow. The examiner watches you perform specific maneuvers — figure-eights, quick stops, swerving around obstacles — and scores how well you control the bike. The test lasts about 20 minutes. You need to bring your own helmet and protective gear, and the motorcycle must be street-legal and registered.
An approved motorcycle safety course is usually two days (about 8 hours total) and teaches you the same skills in a classroom and on a range with training motorcycles provided. At the end, the instructor signs a form saying you passed, and you take that form to DPS instead of taking the riding test. You don't need to own a motorcycle or bring your own gear — the course provides everything. The course costs between $150 and $300 depending on the provider, but many insurance companies give you a discount of $100 to $300 per year for completing one, so the course often pays for itself in the first year.
The safety course route is faster for most people because you don't have to schedule a separate DPS test appointment, which can have a wait. It's also less stressful if you're nervous about riding in front of an examiner. The downside is the upfront cost and the time commitment of two full days.
Where to find an approved motorcycle safety course
Texas approves courses through the Motorcycle Safety and Education Program. The main provider is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), which offers courses at dozens of locations across Texas. You can search for courses by location on the MSF website. Other approved providers include local community colleges and independent riding schools — your DPS office can give you a list of approved providers in your area.
When you choose a course, check whether it's a Basic Rider Course (BRC) or an Experienced Rider Course (ERC). The BRC is for people new to riding or who haven't ridden in years. The ERC is for people who already ride but want to improve their skills. Both satisfy the endorsement requirement, but the BRC is the standard choice for someone getting their first motorcycle license.
Courses fill up, especially in spring and summer, so book several weeks ahead if possible. You'll need to bring a valid driver's license or learner's permit and proof of residency to the first day of class.
The fee and how long it takes
The DPS fee to add a motorcycle endorsement to your license is $20. If you take the written test and riding test separately through DPS, you pay the $20 endorsement fee plus a testing fee (usually around $10 to $15 for each test, though fees vary slightly by location). If you take a safety course, you pay the course fee to the course provider (typically $150 to $300) and then the $20 endorsement fee to DPS.
If you pass the written test and riding test on the same day, DPS can issue your endorsement the same day or within a few days. If you take a safety course, you get your completion certificate at the end of the course, then take it to DPS to add the endorsement — this usually happens within a week.
What you need to bring to DPS
When you go to DPS to take the written test, bring your valid driver's license or learner's permit, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement with your name and current address), and your Social Security number. If you're taking the riding test through DPS, also bring your motorcycle, helmet, and protective gear (jacket, gloves, long pants, closed-toe boots).
If you're taking a safety course instead, the course will tell you what to bring on the first day — usually just your driver's license and proof of residency. The course provides the motorcycle and often provides or loans you a helmet.
Age requirements and restrictions
You must be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle endorsement in Texas. If you're 16 or 17, you need a valid Class M learner's permit first, which you get by passing the written test. With a learner's permit, you can ride only during daylight hours and only on certain roads — no highways or freeways. You must hold the learner's permit for at least 30 days before you can take the riding test or enroll in a safety course.
If you're 18 or older, you can skip the learner's permit and go straight to the written test and riding test (or safety course). Once you pass, you get the full endorsement with no restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my motorcycle learner's permit to ride to the DPS test location?
No. A learner's permit lets you ride only during daylight and on certain roads, and you must have a licensed rider with you. If you're taking the DPS riding test, you'll need to arrange transportation to the test location or have someone ride with you on a separate motorcycle. If you're taking a safety course, the course provides the motorcycle, so you don't need to ride there yourself.
What if I fail the written test or riding test?
You can retake either test the same day if you want, though you'll pay the fee again. Most people study more and come back another day. There's no limit to how many times you can retake it. If you fail the safety course, the provider will usually let you retake it at a reduced cost or for free, depending on their policy.
Do I need to take a safety course, or can I just do the DPS test?
You can do either one. The DPS test is cheaper upfront but requires you to own or borrow a motorcycle and schedule a separate appointment. The safety course costs more but provides the motorcycle, is often faster, and usually qualifies you for insurance discounts that offset the cost.
Will my motorcycle endorsement show on my driver's license?
Yes. When DPS issues your endorsement, it prints an "M" on your driver's license. You don't get a separate card — the endorsement is added to your existing license.
Can I ride a motorcycle on public roads while I have a learner's permit?
Only if you're 18 or older. If you're 16 or 17 with a learner's permit, you can ride only during daylight hours, on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or less, and with a licensed motorcycle rider accompanying you on a separate motorcycle.