What you need to do to ride a motorcycle in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, you cannot legally ride a motorcycle on public roads without a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license. The endorsement is called an M endorsement, and you get it by passing a written test, a vision screening, and a riding skills test. You do not need to own a motorcycle to take the test — you can use one provided by the testing facility or bring your own.

The process takes at least a few weeks from start to finish, because the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) schedules tests weeks in advance. You can speed this up slightly by taking a motorcycle safety course, which waives the riding skills test and sometimes the written test, depending on which course you take.

Key Takeaways

  • Massachusetts requires an M endorsement on your driver's license to ride a motorcycle legally, obtained through the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
  • You must pass a written test, vision screening, and riding skills test, or take an approved motorcycle safety course that waives some tests.
  • A Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course waives both the written and riding tests; other courses waive only the riding test.
  • You need a valid Massachusetts driver's license or learner's permit before you can test for the M endorsement.
  • Test scheduling happens weeks in advance, so plan ahead if you need the endorsement by a specific date.

The three-test route without a safety course

If you go directly to the RMV without taking a safety course, you will need to pass three separate tests. First is the written test, which covers Massachusetts motorcycle laws, road signs, and safe riding practices. You can study using the Massachusetts Motorcycle Operator Manual, available free on the RMV website. The test has 25 questions, and you need 18 correct to pass.

Second is the vision screening, which happens at the RMV office on the day of your written test. You must meet Massachusetts vision standards — if you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you.

Third is the riding skills test, scheduled separately after you pass the written test. This test happens at an RMV testing facility and takes about 20 minutes. You ride a course that includes turns, stops, and obstacle avoidance. The examiner watches for control, balance, and safe handling. You can use your own motorcycle if it meets safety requirements (working brakes, lights, horn, and mirrors), or the facility will provide one.

The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks because test dates fill up quickly and the RMV schedules them weeks ahead.

Taking a motorcycle safety course to skip tests

Massachusetts recognizes two types of approved motorcycle safety courses. A Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course waives both the written test and the riding skills test — you only do the vision screening at the RMV. Other approved courses, such as some offered by local community colleges or motorcycle training schools, waive only the riding skills test, so you still take the written test at the RMV.

The MSF Basic Rider Course is the fastest route. It runs for two or three days (depending on the schedule), costs between $150 and $250, and includes classroom instruction and hands-on riding practice. The course provides motorcycles for students to use. After you complete it, you receive a certificate that you bring to the RMV along with your written test waiver. You then take only the vision screening, and the RMV issues your M endorsement.

To find an MSF course near you, visit the MSF website or search "MSF Basic Rider Course Massachusetts." Community colleges in your area may also offer courses; call your local college's continuing education department to ask.

What documents and information you need at the RMV

Bring your valid Massachusetts driver's license or learner's permit to any RMV visit. If you do not have a license yet, you must get one before you can add the M endorsement. You will also need proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return) and proof of your Massachusetts residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days).

If you are taking the riding skills test, bring your motorcycle if you own one, or confirm ahead of time that the testing facility has one available. If you bring your own, it must have working brakes, lights, horn, and mirrors, and it must be street-legal. Wear a helmet, long pants, long sleeves, and closed-toe shoes — the RMV will not let you test without them.

If you completed a motorcycle safety course, bring your course completion certificate. If you took an MSF course, bring the waiver form that came with your certificate.

How to schedule your RMV tests

You schedule the written test and vision screening online through the RMV website or by calling the RMV at 617-351-4500. You can also visit an RMV office in person, but online scheduling is faster. When you call or book online, you will choose your preferred RMV location and test date. Tests are typically available two to six weeks out.

After you pass the written test, the RMV will tell you how to schedule the riding skills test. Riding test dates also book weeks in advance, so schedule as soon as you pass the written test. Some RMV facilities have their own testing courses; others send you to a separate testing location.

If you took a motorcycle safety course, you do not schedule a riding test. Instead, you bring your certificate to the RMV and take only the vision screening. You can do this at any RMV office during regular hours — no appointment needed, though wait times vary.

What happens after you pass all the tests

Once you pass the vision screening (and either the written and riding tests, or present your course certificate), the RMV issues your M endorsement. It appears on your driver's license, usually within a few days. You can ride a motorcycle legally as soon as the endorsement is active on your license.

If you fail any test, you can retake it. There is no waiting period between attempts, but you will need to schedule another test date, which may be weeks away. If you fail the riding test, you can retake it as many times as you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a motorcycle learner's permit first?

Massachusetts does not have a separate motorcycle learner's permit. You need a valid driver's license or learner's permit before you can take the M endorsement tests. If you do not have a license, get one first through the standard RMV process.

Can I use a friend's motorcycle for the riding test?

Yes, as long as it is street-legal and meets the RMV's safety requirements: working brakes, lights, horn, and mirrors. The motorcycle must be registered and insured. Confirm with the testing facility ahead of time that they will allow it, or ask if they provide one.

What if I fail the riding skills test?

You can retake it when ready by scheduling another test date. There is no fee for retakes, but you will wait for the next available appointment, which may be several weeks away. Many people pass on the second or third attempt.

Does an MSF course cost extra, or does it replace the RMV fees?

The MSF course costs $150 to $250 and is separate from RMV fees. You still pay the RMV fee for the M endorsement (currently $30), but you skip the written and riding tests, saving time and the stress of testing. The course fee is worth it if you want to avoid the riding test or need the endorsement quickly.

Can I ride a motorcycle with just a learner's permit?

No. A learner's permit alone does not allow you to ride a motorcycle. You must have the M endorsement on your license. Some states allow learner's permit holders to ride with restrictions, but Massachusetts does not.