If you are looking to buy a bike, you may be asking, “How old do you have to be to ride a motorcycle?” The answer to this question depends on your state.
In this article, we will look at state licensure and learner’s permit age requirements by state.
Terms Used
There are three main types of motorcycle licensures to watch for:
- License: A license grants you full access
- Learner’s permit: Allows you to ride your motorcycle with some restrictions
- Endorsement: An addition to your driver’s license that allows you to drive both an automobile and motorcycle
Age Requirements by State
Age requirements differ by state. Phases of licensure typically include permit and then full license. See the requirements for each state:
Alabama
- Must be 14 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 18 years old for a motorcycle license
Alaska
- Must be 14 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle license
Arizona
- Must be 15.5 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- First time drivers must pass a driver’s license and motorcycle operator written test
- Must be 16 years old to apply for a motorcycle license
Arkansas
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle license
California
- Must be 15.5 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit and complete a driver’s education course
- Must be 17.5 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit without a driver’s education course
- Must be 21 years old to hold license without a motorcycle safety training program
Colorado
- Motorcycle operators must already hold a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement
Connecticut
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 16 or 17 years old for a motorcycle license
- Must complete a motorcycle training course
Delaware
- Must be 16 years old with a parent’s permission for a motorcycle endorsement
- Must be 18 years old for a motorcycle endorsement
District of Columbia
- Must be 18 years old for a motorcycle license
Florida
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle endorsement
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts 1 year
Georgia
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle license
Hawaii
- Must be 15.5 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
Idaho
- Must be 21 years old for a motorcycle endorsement
Illinois
- Must be 18 years old for a motorcycle license
Indiana
- Must be 16.5 for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts 1 year
Iowa
- Must be 18 years old for a motorcycle license without a motorcycle education course
Kansas
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 17 years old for a motorcycle endorsement
Kentucky
- Must hold a valid intermediate driver’s license or be 18 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts one year
Louisiana
- Must have a valid driver’s license for a motorcycle endorsement
Maine
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle endorsement
Maryland
- Must be 16 years and 3 months old for a motorcycle license
Massachusetts
- Must be 16 years old and have parental consent (if under 18) for a motorcycle learner’s permit
Michigan
- Must be 16 years old and enrolled in a safety training course for a motorcycle learner’s permit
Minnesota
- Must be 16 years old, possess a valid driver’s license, and enroll in a motorcycle education course (if under 18) for a motorcycle learner’s permit
Mississippi
- Must be 15 years old and complete a driver’s education program for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 17 years old and have parental consent (if under 18) for a motorcycle license
Missouri
- Must be 15.5 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
Montana
- Must be 16 years old and have a driver’s license for a motorcycle license
Nebraska
- Must be 17 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts 1 year
Nevada
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle license
- Must be 18 years old to operate motorcycle on a highway
New Hampshire
- Must be 16-17 years old and have a driver’s education course for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 18 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit without a driver’s education course
- Permit lasts 45 days
New Jersey
- Must be 15 years old for a motorcycle license
New Mexico
- Must be 13 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
New York
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle license
North Carolina
- Must be 16 years old with a driving permit or 18 years old with a driver’s license for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts 1 year
North Dakota
- Must be 14 years old with a completed motorcycle safety course for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts at least 2 months
Ohio
- Must be 15.5 years old and have parental consent (if under 18) for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts for 6 months
Oklahoma
- Must be 14 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle license
Oregon
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts 1 year
Pennsylvania
- Must 16 years old, meet a 6 month eligibility period, and have complete a Basic Rider Course for a motorcycle license
Rhode Island
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 18 years old for a motorcycle license
South Carolina
- Must be 15 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts for at least 6 months
South Dakota
- Must be 14 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts for 6 months
Tennessee
- Must be 15 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle license
Texas
- Must 15 years and take a motorcycle safety course for a motorcycle learner’s permit
Utah
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts 6 months
Vermont
- Must be 16 years old and have a Junior Driver’s license for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Permit lasts 120 days
Washington
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
West Virginia
- Must be 16 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 18 years old for a motorcycle license
Wisconsin
- Must be 18 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit without an approved basic rider course
- Permit lasts 6 months
Wyoming
- Must be 15 years old for a motorcycle learner’s permit
- Must be 17 years old for a motorcycle license
Conclusion
How old do you have to be to ride a motorcycle? The answer to this question depends on your local laws and regulations. Now go out there, get your permit, a great motorcycle lock, and get riding!