Motorcycle license fees vary by state, from around $20 to $100 for the written test and skills exam combined
The total cost to get a motorcycle license depends on where you live and whether you already hold a regular driver's license. Most states charge a separate fee for the motorcycle endorsement or license class, distinct from your car license. The written test typically costs $10 to $30, and the riding skills test adds another $10 to $70. Some states bundle these into a single fee; others charge them separately.
A few states — including California, Florida, and New York — let you skip the riding test if you complete an approved motorcycle safety course, which usually costs $150 to $300 but can save you the test fee and sometimes your insurance money later. Other states require the riding test no matter what. A handful of states charge no separate endorsement fee at all if you already have a driver's license; they only charge for the tests themselves.
Key Takeaways
- Written test fees range from $10 to $30 in most states, and riding test fees range from $10 to $70, though some states charge a single combined fee instead.
- A few states waive the riding test if you complete an approved motorcycle safety course, which costs $150 to $300 but may lower your insurance premiums.
- Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website lists the exact fees for your location and whether you need to bring your own motorcycle or can use a test bike.
- If you fail the riding test, most states charge a retest fee of $10 to $30, so budget for the possibility of taking it more than once.
How state fees break down
Most states charge you in two stages: first for the written knowledge test, then for the riding skills test. The written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and motorcycle-specific hazards. You take it at your local DMV office, and the fee is usually $10 to $25. The riding test happens at a separate location — sometimes a DMV facility, sometimes a third-party testing site — and costs $15 to $70 depending on the state.
A smaller number of states charge a single endorsement or license fee that covers both tests. Texas, for example, charges about $20 for the motorcycle endorsement fee itself, plus the cost of the written test. Illinois charges around $30 for a motorcycle license class. Check your state's DMV website to see whether fees are separate or combined, because the total you pay depends on how your state structures it.
A few states — including Vermont and South Dakota — charge no separate motorcycle endorsement fee if you already hold a valid driver's license. You pay only for the tests themselves. Others, like Pennsylvania, charge a small endorsement fee ($5 to $10) plus test fees. The variation is significant enough that calling your local DMV office or checking their website is faster than guessing.
Motorcycle safety courses and test waivers
Several states let you bypass the riding skills test if you complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course or an equivalent state-approved program. California, Florida, Georgia, New York, and Ohio are among them. These courses typically run two to three days and cost $150 to $300. The course includes classroom instruction and hands-on riding practice, and you receive a certificate that satisfies the riding test requirement.
The trade-off is worth calculating. If your state's riding test costs $50 and you would need to retake it (most people pass on the first try, but not all), a $200 safety course might seem expensive. However, many insurance companies offer a 5 to 10 percent discount on motorcycle premiums if you complete an MSF course, which can save you $100 to $300 per year. Over three years, that discount often pays for the course itself.
Not all states recognize the safety course as a test waiver. If yours does not, you can still take a course — it will make you a safer rider and may still may have access to you for an insurance discount — but you will still need to pass the riding test at the DMV. Confirm with your state's DMV whether the course waives the test before you enroll.
Retesting fees if you fail
If you do not pass the written test, most states charge a retest fee of $10 to $30 to take it again. You can usually retake it the same day or within a few days. If you fail the riding test, the retest fee is typically $15 to $40, though some states include one free retest with your initial fee and charge only for additional attempts.
The riding test is the point where most people stumble. You must demonstrate basic control, stopping, turning, and obstacle avoidance on a motorcycle. Many test sites require you to bring your own motorcycle, which must pass a safety inspection (working brakes, lights, horn, and tires). If you do not own a bike, some DMV offices and third-party testing centers rent motorcycles for the test, usually for $30 to $75.
Bringing your own motorcycle versus using a test bike
Most states let you use your own motorcycle for the riding test, but it must pass a safety inspection. The bike needs working headlight, taillight, brake light, horn, mirrors, brakes, and tires with legal tread depth. You typically bring the bike to the test site, and an examiner inspects it before you ride. If it fails inspection, you cannot test that day, and you may forfeit your test fee or have to reschedule.
If you do not own a motorcycle, some DMV offices and private testing centers rent bikes specifically for the test. Rental fees are usually $30 to $75 for the day. The rental bike is already inspected and insured for testing purposes. Some safety courses include bike rental as part of the course fee, so if you take that route, you do not need to arrange a separate rental.
A few states — including California through the MSF course — provide motorcycles for the test as part of the program. If you are taking a safety course that waives the riding test, the course provider handles the bike entirely, and you do not need to bring or rent one.
Additional costs beyond the license itself
The license fee is only the first cost. You will need a valid state ID or driver's license to take the test, so if yours has expired, you may need to renew it first. Some states charge a small fee to add the motorcycle endorsement to an existing license; others include it in the test fee.
If you do not own a motorcycle yet, you will need to buy or finance one before you can practice for the test or ride legally. Motorcycle prices range from $3,000 for a used beginner bike to $15,000 or more for new models. You will also need a helmet, which costs $50 to $400 depending on quality and safety ratings. Most states require a helmet by law, and you cannot take the riding test without one.
Insurance is another cost. Motorcycle insurance typically costs $200 to $500 per year for basic coverage, though rates vary widely by age, location, and riding history. Some insurers require you to hold a valid motorcycle license before they will insure you, so you cannot get a quote until after you pass the test.
State-by-state fee examples
| State | Written Test Fee | Riding Test Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $15 | Waived with MSF course | MSF course costs $150–$300; test required if no course |
| Florida | $10 | Waived with MSF course | Riding test costs $25 if taken without course |
| Texas | $20 | $20 | Endorsement fee separate; fees may vary by county |
| New York | $10 | Waived with MSF course | Riding test costs $15 if taken without course |
| Illinois | Included | Included | Single motorcycle license fee around $30 |
| Pennsylvania | $20 | $20 | Endorsement fee $5–$10 additional |
| Ohio | $15 | Waived with MSF course | Riding test costs $20 if taken without course |
Fees change periodically, and some states charge different amounts depending on whether you are adding an endorsement to an existing license or obtaining a new motorcycle-only license. The table above reflects typical ranges as of this writing, but your state's DMV website will have the current exact fees for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the motorcycle test if I do not have a regular driver's license?
Yes, in most states. You can obtain a motorcycle-only license without holding a car license. However, you will need a valid state ID or passport to prove your identity. Some states require you to pass a written test on general traffic laws in addition to the motorcycle-specific test, which may add a small fee.
What happens if I fail the riding test — do I lose my test fee?
In most states, you pay a separate retest fee of $10 to $40 if you fail. A few states include one free retest with your initial fee. Check your state's DMV website or call ahead to confirm whether retests are free or charged separately, so you know what to budget if you need a second attempt.
Do I have to take a safety course, or is the DMV test enough?
The DMV test alone is enough in every state. A safety course is optional unless your state waives the riding test for course completion. If your state does not offer a test waiver, you still pass the DMV test to get your license, though the course will make you a safer rider and may lower your insurance.
Can I use a borrowed motorcycle for the riding test?
Yes, as long as it passes the safety inspection. The bike must have working lights, brakes, horn, mirrors, and legal tires. If you borrow a bike, make sure the owner knows you are using it for a test and that it will be inspected. If the borrowed bike fails inspection, you will need to reschedule with a different bike or rent one.
Is the motorcycle license fee the same if I already have a driver's license?
Usually yes, but some states charge slightly less to add a motorcycle endorsement to an existing license than to obtain a standalone motorcycle license. A few states charge no endorsement fee at all if you already hold a valid driver's license. Your state's DMV website will specify the fee for your situation.