Minnesota requires a separate motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license
You cannot ride a motorcycle legally in Minnesota on a regular driver's license. You need a motorcycle endorsement, which is an addition to your existing license or a separate classification if you do not already have a driver's license. The state offers two paths: you can take a safety course and waive the riding test, or you can pass the written test and riding test through the Department of Public Safety.
The fastest route for most people is the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course, which takes two days and includes both classroom and hands-on riding. Once you complete it, you bring your certificate to a driver's license office and pay a fee to add the endorsement. You do not have to take the state riding test if you hold the MSF certificate.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota requires a motorcycle endorsement separate from your regular driver's license, and you cannot legally ride without it.
- The MSF Basic Rider Course takes two days, costs between $200 and $300, and waives the state riding test if you pass.
- If you skip the safety course, you must pass both a written test and a riding test at a Minnesota driver's license office.
- After passing the MSF course or the state tests, you visit a driver's license office with your certificate or test results and pay the endorsement fee to add it to your license.
- You must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid Minnesota driver's license or ID to get a motorcycle endorsement.
The MSF course path: two days and no state riding test
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation course is the most common way to get a motorcycle endorsement in Minnesota. The course runs for two full days, usually on a weekend, and covers classroom instruction in the morning and hands-on riding practice in the afternoon. You learn on a small motorcycle provided by the course, so you do not need to own one yet. The course costs between $200 and $300 depending on the provider, and some insurance companies offer discounts if you complete it.
When you pass the MSF course, you receive a certificate that you bring to any Minnesota driver's license office. You do not have to take the state's riding test because the MSF certificate proves you can ride safely. You will still take a short written test at the license office to confirm you know Minnesota's motorcycle laws, but many people pass this without extra study if they paid attention in the course.
To find an MSF course near you, visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website or search for "MSF Basic Rider Course Minnesota." Courses fill up, especially in spring and summer, so register several weeks ahead if possible.
The state test path: written exam and riding test
If you do not take the MSF course, you can get a motorcycle endorsement by passing two tests through the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. First, you take a written test at a driver's license office that covers motorcycle laws, safe riding practices, and road signs. The test has 40 questions and you must answer at least 32 correctly to pass. You can study using the Minnesota Motorcycle Operator Manual, which is free on the state website.
After you pass the written test, you schedule a riding test at a driver's license office that has a test route. During the test, an examiner watches you perform basic maneuvers like starting, stopping, turning, and swerving. The test takes about 15 minutes and you ride your own motorcycle or a borrowed one. You must wear a helmet and protective gear, and your motorcycle must pass a safety inspection before the test.
The state riding test is harder than the MSF course for most people because you have less instruction and no hands-on practice beforehand. If you fail the riding test, you can retake it, but you have to pay the test fee again and schedule another appointment, which can take weeks.
What you need before you start
You must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid Minnesota driver's license or ID card. If you do not have a driver's license yet, you need to get one first through the standard process. You cannot get a motorcycle endorsement on a learner's permit.
If you are under 18, you must also complete a motorcycle safety course approved by the state — the MSF course counts — before you can get the endorsement. This is a legal requirement, not optional. If you are 18 or older, the safety course is your choice, but it is the easier path to the endorsement.
You will need to bring documents to the driver's license office when you add the endorsement. Bring your current driver's license or ID, your MSF certificate (if you took the course) or your test results (if you took the state tests), and proof of your Social Security number. A Social Security card, W-2, or tax return all work.
The fee and how long it takes
Adding a motorcycle endorsement to your license costs $20.50 at a Minnesota driver's license office. This is separate from any course fee if you take the MSF course. If you are renewing your license at the same time, you pay both fees together.
The endorsement is added to your license on the spot when you visit the office, so you leave with it the same day. However, if you are mailing in your documents or if the office is very busy, it may take a few days. Call ahead to confirm the office's process.
The whole timeline depends on which path you take. If you take the MSF course, you can be done in about two weeks: one week to find and register for a course, one weekend for the course itself, and one visit to the license office. If you take the state tests, it depends on how quickly you can schedule the riding test, which can be weeks out during busy seasons.
Restrictions on a motorcycle endorsement for riders under 18
If you get a motorcycle endorsement before you turn 18, Minnesota law limits when and how you can ride. You cannot ride between midnight and 5 a.m., and you cannot carry passengers. These restrictions stay on your license until you turn 18, even if you got the endorsement at 16.
You must also wear a helmet at all times, and your motorcycle cannot have an engine larger than 250 cubic centimeters. These rules are stricter than the rules for adult riders, and they exist to reduce crashes among young riders.
What happens after you get the endorsement
Once the endorsement is on your license, you can legally ride a motorcycle in Minnesota. Your license will show an "M" restriction code or a separate motorcycle class, depending on whether you added it to an existing license or got a new one. You do not need to renew the endorsement separately — it renews with your driver's license every four or eight years.
You still have to follow all Minnesota traffic laws, wear a helmet (required by law), and carry proof of insurance. Motorcycle insurance is separate from car insurance and costs vary widely based on the bike, your age, and your riding record. Many insurance companies offer discounts if you completed the MSF course, so ask when you get a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the MSF course if I do not own a motorcycle yet?
Yes. The MSF course provides motorcycles for all students, so you do not need to own one. This is one reason the course is popular for people new to riding — you learn on a small, manageable bike before you buy your own.
What if I fail the MSF course?
The MSF course is designed so most people pass if they show up and try. If you do not pass, the course provider will tell you what to work on and you can retake it. You pay the course fee again, but you do not have to wait weeks for a new appointment like you would with the state riding test.
Do I need a motorcycle endorsement to ride a moped or scooter?
It depends on the engine size. Mopeds and scooters with engines 50 cubic centimeters or smaller do not require a motorcycle endorsement in Minnesota — you just need a regular driver's license. Anything larger than 50cc requires the endorsement.
Can I add a motorcycle endorsement to a learner's permit?
No. You must have a full driver's license or ID card first. If you only have a learner's permit, you need to pass the written and driving tests for a regular license before you can add the motorcycle endorsement.
What if I move to Minnesota from another state with a motorcycle endorsement?
You can transfer your endorsement to a Minnesota license without retaking the tests. Bring your out-of-state license and proof of residency to a driver's license office, and they will add the endorsement to your new Minnesota license for the standard fee.