What the Minnesota motorcycle permit test covers

Minnesota's motorcycle permit test is a written exam you take at a Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office to show you understand motorcycle safety and road rules before you ride. The test has 40 questions, and you need to answer at least 32 correctly to pass — that is an 80 percent score.

The questions come from the Minnesota Motorcycle Manual, which covers how motorcycles handle differently than cars, how to brake and turn safely, what protective gear does, how weather and road conditions affect riding, and Minnesota traffic laws as they explore to motorcycles. You answer the questions on a computer at the DVS office, and you get your result the same day.

Passing the permit test does not mean you can ride unsupervised yet. The permit itself allows you to practice riding with a licensed motorcycle instructor or an experienced rider who is at least 18 years old and holds a valid motorcycle endorsement. You must wear a helmet and follow all traffic laws while practicing.

Key Takeaways

  • The test has 40 questions and you need 32 correct to pass, covering motorcycle handling, safety, and Minnesota traffic laws.
  • You take the test on a computer at any DVS office, and results are available the same day.
  • The Minnesota Motorcycle Manual, available free online and in print at DVS offices, contains all the information tested.
  • After you pass the permit test, you can practice riding with a licensed instructor or an experienced rider, but you must wear a helmet and follow all traffic laws.
  • You must hold the permit for at least 30 days before you can take the riding skills test to get your endorsement.

Where to take the test and what to bring

You take the motorcycle permit test at any Driver and Vehicle Services office in Minnesota. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the state DVS website. Some offices are busier than others, so calling ahead to ask about wait times can save you a trip.

Bring your valid Minnesota driver's license or ID card. If you do not have one yet, you will need to get one before you can take the motorcycle permit test. You will also need to pay a fee — the cost varies slightly by office but is typically around $10 to $15 for the permit itself, separate from any ID fees.

You do not need to bring the motorcycle manual or study materials to the test. The test is taken on a computer at the office, and you cannot use outside materials during the exam. Arrive a few minutes early so you have time to check in and get settled before the test begins.

How to study for the test

The Minnesota Motorcycle Manual is the official source for everything on the test. You can read it free online at the DVS website, or pick up a printed copy at any DVS office. The manual is organized by topic — starting with motorcycle basics, then covering riding skills, safety gear, road hazards, and traffic laws specific to motorcycles.

Read through the manual once to get familiar with the material, then go back through it section by section and take notes on anything that seems important or confusing. Pay special attention to sections on braking distance, how to lean into turns, what to do if your motorcycle skids, and Minnesota's helmet law — these topics appear frequently on the test.

Practice tests like the ones on this site let you see the types of questions you will face and help you figure out which topics you need to study more. Take a practice test, review any questions you got wrong, then go back to the manual and reread that section. Repeat this cycle until you are consistently scoring above 80 percent on practice tests.

What happens after you pass the permit test

Once you pass the written test, you receive your motorcycle permit. This permit is valid for one year. During that year, you must practice riding under the supervision of a licensed motorcycle instructor or a rider who is at least 18 and holds a valid motorcycle endorsement.

You must hold the permit for at least 30 days before you can take the riding skills test. The riding skills test is a separate exam where a DVS examiner watches you perform specific riding maneuvers — starting the motorcycle, accelerating, braking, turning, and parking. You take this test on your own motorcycle or on one provided by a testing facility.

If you pass the riding skills test, you receive your motorcycle endorsement, which is added to your driver's license. This endorsement allows you to ride a motorcycle on public roads without supervision. If you do not pass the skills test, you can retake it, but you must wait at least one day before trying again.

Common reasons people fail the permit test

The most common reason people fail is not reading the manual carefully enough before taking the test. Some questions test details — like the exact speed at which a motorcycle is most stable, or the specific hand signal for a left turn — that you need to know precisely. Skimming the manual or relying only on general motorcycle knowledge is not enough.

Another frequent mistake is misunderstanding questions about Minnesota-specific laws. For example, Minnesota requires all riders to wear a helmet, but the test also asks about eye protection, lane positioning, and when you can ride with a passenger. These are Minnesota rules, not universal motorcycle rules, so you have to study them in the manual rather than relying on what you may have learned in another state.

Some people also rush through the test and misread questions. You have time to take the test — there is no time limit — so read each question twice before you answer. Pay attention to words like "not" and "except," which change what the question is asking.

If you do not pass on your first try

You can retake the permit test, but you must wait at least one day before trying again. There is no limit to how many times you can take it. When you retake the test, you pay the fee again.

Between attempts, spend time on the practice tests and the manual sections where you struggled. If you scored just below 80 percent, focus on the topics where you were least confident. If you scored much lower, go through the entire manual again more carefully and take multiple practice tests before returning to the DVS office.

Some people find it helpful to study with someone else or to take a motorcycle safety course before retaking the test. Minnesota offers Motorcycle Safety Education Program courses through various providers, and some insurance companies offer discounts if you complete one. These courses teach riding skills and safety, and they can also reinforce the knowledge tested on the permit exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the motorcycle permit test online from home?

No, you must take the test in person at a DVS office on a computer there. Minnesota does not offer remote testing for the motorcycle permit. You can study online using practice tests and the digital version of the manual, but the actual exam must be taken at an office.

What if I fail the test by just a few points?

You need 32 out of 40 questions correct to pass. If you get 31 correct, you have not passed and must retake the test. You can retake it the next day. Review the practice tests to see which topics gave you trouble, then study those sections of the manual before your next attempt.

Do I need a motorcycle to take the permit test?

No, you do not need a motorcycle to take the written permit test. You only need a motorcycle when you take the riding skills test later. For now, you just need to pass the written exam at the DVS office.

How long is the permit valid if I pass the test?

Your motorcycle permit is valid for one year from the date you pass the test. During that year, you must practice and pass the riding skills test to get your endorsement. If your permit expires before you take the skills test, you will need to retake the written test.

Can I ride alone with just the permit, or do I need someone with me?

You cannot ride alone with just the permit. You must ride with a licensed motorcycle instructor or with an experienced rider who is at least 18 years old and holds a valid motorcycle endorsement. Once you pass the riding skills test and get your endorsement, you can ride alone.