Pennsylvania requires a separate motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license, not a standalone license
If you want to ride a motorcycle legally in Pennsylvania, you need a Class M endorsement added to your existing driver's license, or you can get a Class M license if you don't have a regular driver's license yet. You cannot straightforward take a motorcycle test and ride — the endorsement must be attached to a valid Pennsylvania driver's license. The process involves passing a written test, a riding skills test, and paying a fee to PennDOT (the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation).
Pennsylvania offers two main paths: the standard route through PennDOT, or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course route, which can waive the riding test. Both paths start with the written knowledge test, which covers Pennsylvania motorcycle laws, road signs, and safe riding practices.
Key Takeaways
- You must hold a valid Pennsylvania driver's license before you can add a Class M endorsement, unless you're getting your first license and choosing Class M.
- The written test covers Pennsylvania motorcycle laws and safe riding — you study the motorcycle section of the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual, available free online from PennDOT.
- You can either take the riding skills test at a PennDOT location or complete an MSF-approved motorcycle safety course, which waives the riding test requirement.
- The endorsement fee is $20.50 and the license itself costs $30.50 if you're renewing or changing your license type.
The written test: what you need to study and where to take it
The motorcycle knowledge test has 25 questions and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass. The test covers Pennsylvania-specific rules: helmet laws, lane positioning, turning, braking, and how to handle hazards on a motorcycle. You study from the motorcycle section of the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual, which PennDOT publishes free online at dmv.pa.gov. read the full manual or just the motorcycle section — both are available as PDFs.
You take the written test at any PennDOT Driver License Center. Find your nearest center on the PennDOT website by entering your zip code. You do not need an appointment for the written test, but bring your current driver's license, proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of Pennsylvania residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement). The test costs nothing.
After you pass the written test, PennDOT will give you a temporary permit that allows you to ride under certain conditions — usually only during daylight, with a licensed rider present, and without passengers. This permit is valid while you prepare for the riding test.
The riding skills test: what happens at the test site
If you choose the standard route, you take the riding skills test at a PennDOT testing location. You must bring your own motorcycle or use one provided by a testing facility (some locations have bikes available for a fee, usually $25 to $50, but availability varies). The motorcycle must be street-legal, registered, and insured in Pennsylvania.
The test itself lasts about 15 to 20 minutes and takes place in a closed course. You perform basic maneuvers: starting, stopping, turning, swerving, and figure-eight patterns. An examiner watches and scores you on control, safety, and following instructions. You must pass this test to earn your endorsement. If you fail, you can retake it, though you may need to wait a few days and pay the test fee again.
The riding test fee is $10. You'll also need to pay the endorsement fee ($20.50) and any license renewal or change fee ($30.50) when you pass.
The MSF course option: how it waives the riding test
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) offers a two-day Basic Rider Course at locations throughout Pennsylvania. The course teaches motorcycle control, hazard awareness, and Pennsylvania laws in classroom and on-bike sessions. If you complete an MSF-approved course, you can bring your completion certificate to PennDOT and skip the riding skills test entirely — you still take the written test, but the MSF course proves you can ride safely.
The MSF Basic Rider Course costs between $150 and $250 depending on the provider and location. You provide your own motorcycle or rent one through the course provider (rental fees vary). The course takes two full days, usually Saturday and Sunday, and you must be at least 16 years old. Find MSF courses near you at msf-usa.org or search "MSF course Pennsylvania" for local providers.
Many riders choose the MSF route because the course teaches practical skills in a controlled setting, and you avoid the pressure of a timed test. You still need to pass the written test and pay the endorsement fee, but the course completion certificate handles the riding requirement.
Fees and what your endorsement costs
The total cost depends on which route you take. If you go the standard PennDOT route with the riding test, you pay $10 for the test itself, $20.50 for the endorsement, and $30.50 for the license fee, totaling $61. If you already have a valid license and are only adding the endorsement, the cost is lower — ask at your local Driver License Center about endorsement-only fees.
If you take the MSF course, you pay $150 to $250 for the course (plus any bike rental), $20.50 for the endorsement, and $30.50 for the license fee. The MSF route costs more upfront but saves you the riding test fee and gives you formal training.
Fees can change, so confirm current costs with PennDOT before you go. Call your local Driver License Center or check dmv.pa.gov.
Age requirements and what you need to bring
You must be at least 16 years old to get a Class M endorsement in Pennsylvania. If you're under 18, you need a parent or guardian to sign your process. You also need to have held your regular driver's license for at least 6 months before you can add the motorcycle endorsement — you cannot get both at the same time.
Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of Pennsylvania residency to any test or transaction. If you're under 18, bring a parent or guardian and their ID as well. If you're taking the riding test, also bring your motorcycle (street-legal, registered, and insured) or arrange a rental through the testing facility.
After you pass: getting your endorsement on your license
Once you pass the written test and either the riding test or submit your MSF certificate, PennDOT issues your Class M endorsement. If you're renewing your license at the same time, you'll receive a new license card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. The card will show "M" as your class, indicating you can ride motorcycles.
Until your new card arrives, PennDOT gives you a temporary paper document that proves your endorsement is valid. Carry this with your current license when you ride. Once your new card arrives, the temporary document is no longer needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a motorcycle with just the temporary permit while I wait for my riding test?
No. The temporary permit you get after passing the written test allows you to practice, but only with a licensed motorcycle rider present, during daylight hours, and without passengers. You cannot ride alone or at night. Once you pass the riding test or submit your MSF certificate, you can ride without restrictions.
What if I fail the riding test?
You can retake it. There is usually a waiting period of a few days, and you pay the $10 test fee again. Many people pass on the second attempt. If you fail multiple times, the MSF course is an alternative — it teaches the same skills in a less pressured environment.
Do I need to renew my license to add the motorcycle endorsement?
Not necessarily. If your license is still valid, you can add the endorsement without renewing. However, you will pay a fee to update your license record. If your license is expiring soon, it may make sense to renew at the same time.
Can I take the MSF course if I don't have a motorcycle yet?
Yes. Most MSF course providers have motorcycles available for rent during the course. You do not need to own a bike to take the course or pass the written test — you only need a motorcycle to take the PennDOT riding test if you skip the MSF route.
What happens if I move out of Pennsylvania after I get my endorsement?
Your Pennsylvania Class M endorsement is valid in all other states. You do not need to transfer it or get a new one unless you become a resident of another state and that state requires you to get a local license.