Take your motorcycle permit test at any Missouri Department of Revenue office that offers driving tests
Missouri does not have separate motorcycle permit testing locations. You take the motorcycle knowledge test at the same Department of Revenue (DOR) office where you would take a car permit test. Every DOR office that administers driving tests can give you the motorcycle written exam, and many also offer the riding skills test (called the Motorcycle Safety Course (MSC) waiver test).
The written test covers Missouri motorcycle laws, road signs, and safe riding practices. It is 25 questions, and you need 20 correct to pass. You can take it the same day you explore for your permit, or you can study first and come back later. The riding skills test, if you choose to take it instead of completing a safety course, is scheduled separately and happens at a DOR office or an approved testing site.
Key Takeaways
- Any Missouri Department of Revenue office that gives driving tests can administer your motorcycle written exam on the same day you explore for your permit.
- You need to bring your current driver's license or ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number to test.
- The written test is 25 questions about motorcycle laws and safety; you must answer 20 correctly to pass.
- If you want to skip the riding skills test, you can take the MSC waiver test at a DOR office instead of completing a full safety course.
- Find your nearest DOR office and its hours on the Missouri Department of Revenue website before you go.
Finding a Department of Revenue office near you
Missouri has DOR offices in most counties. The easiest way to find the one closest to you is to visit the Missouri Department of Revenue website and use their office locator tool. You can search by city or zip code. The locator shows you the address, phone number, and hours of operation for each office.
Not every DOR office is identical. Some offer only written tests, while others offer both written and riding skills tests. When you find an office near you, call ahead or check the website to confirm it administers motorcycle tests. This takes five minutes and saves you a wasted trip.
DOR offices are typically open Monday through Friday during business hours. Some locations have extended hours or Saturday appointments, but this varies by office. Check before you go.
What to bring to your motorcycle permit test
Bring these documents with you on test day:
- Your current driver's license or state ID
- Proof of Missouri residency (utility bill, lease, bank statement, or insurance document dated within 60 days)
- Your Social Security number (you will need to provide it verbally or on a form)
If you are under 18, you also need a parent or guardian to sign your permit process in person at the DOR office. Bring their ID as well.
Do not bring your motorcycle to the written test. The written exam happens indoors at the DOR office. If you are also taking the riding skills test that same day, you will need your motorcycle for that portion, but the office will tell you where to park it and when to bring it out.
How the written test works on test day
When you arrive at the DOR office, tell the staff you are there for a motorcycle permit test. They will have you fill out a DL 44 form (the Missouri permit process) if you have not already. You will pay the permit fee, which is currently $5.50 for a motorcycle endorsement added to an existing driver's license, or $10 if you are getting a new license with the endorsement.
After you pay, staff will direct you to a testing station. The test is on a computer or paper, depending on the office. You have 25 questions and no time limit, though most people finish in 10 to 15 minutes. You can review your answers before you submit.
Once you submit, the computer or staff will tell you when ready whether you passed. If you pass, you get your permit on the spot. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day at most offices, though you may have to pay the fee again. Ask the staff about their retake policy before you start.
Taking the riding skills test instead of a safety course
Missouri lets you skip the Motorcycle Safety Course if you pass the MSC waiver test, which is a riding skills test. This test is not available at every DOR office, so call ahead to find one that offers it. Some offices schedule it on specific days or require an appointment.
The riding skills test happens in a parking lot or closed course. You bring your own motorcycle (or a borrowed one that is street-legal and insured). A DOR examiner watches you perform basic maneuvers: starting, stopping, turning, and emergency braking. The test takes about 15 minutes.
If you pass both the written test and the riding skills test, you can get your full motorcycle license without taking a safety course. If you fail the riding skills test, you must complete the Motorcycle Safety Course to get your license. Many riders choose the safety course instead because it teaches you skills and can lower your insurance rates.
What happens after you pass the written test
Once you pass the written test, you receive a motorcycle instruction permit. This permit lets you ride a motorcycle on public roads, but only during daylight hours and only if you are not carrying passengers. You cannot ride on highways or interstates.
Your instruction permit is valid for 180 days. During this time, you can practice riding and then take the riding skills test, or you can enroll in a Motorcycle Safety Course. After you pass the riding skills test or finish the safety course, you return to a DOR office to get your full motorcycle license. There is no additional written test for the license; you just pay a fee and they issue it.
If your instruction permit expires before you take the riding skills test or finish the safety course, you will have to retake the written test to get a new permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the motorcycle written test online from home?
No. Missouri requires you to take the written test in person at a Department of Revenue office. You cannot take it online or by mail. You must show a valid ID to prove who you are before you test.
Do I need a motorcycle to take the written test?
No. The written test is a knowledge test about laws and safety. You do not need a motorcycle with you. If you want to take the riding skills test the same day, then yes, you need a street-legal, insured motorcycle.
What if I fail the written test?
Most DOR offices let you retake the test the same day. You may have to pay the fee again. Ask the staff about their retake policy when you arrive. You can also study more and come back another day.
How long does the whole process take at the DOR office?
The written test itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. Adding the process paperwork, payment, and waiting time, plan for 30 to 45 minutes total. If the office is busy, it could take longer. Arriving early in the day usually means a shorter wait.
Can I use a borrowed motorcycle for the riding skills test?
Yes, as long as it is street-legal, currently registered, and insured. The motorcycle does not have to be registered in your name. Make sure the owner gives you permission and that you have proof of insurance with you on test day.