The Michigan Motorcycle License Process
Michigan issues a motorcycle endorsement on your regular driver's license rather than a separate license. You will need to pass a written test on motorcycle safety and rules, then pass a riding skills test on an actual motorcycle. The whole process takes a few weeks if you schedule your tests back-to-back, though many people space them out over a month or two.
You can take the riding test through the Michigan Motorcycle Safety Program, which is run by the state and offered at locations across Michigan, or you can take it at a Secretary of State office if you already own a motorcycle and want to use your own bike. Most first-time riders choose the safety program because it provides the motorcycle, helmet, and protective gear you need for the test.
Key Takeaways
- You must hold a valid Michigan driver's license before you can add a motorcycle endorsement.
- The written test covers Michigan motorcycle laws and safe riding practices and is offered at any Secretary of State office.
- The Michigan Motorcycle Safety Program offers the riding skills test at multiple locations and provides the motorcycle and safety gear for free.
- If you take the riding test through the safety program, you skip the Secretary of State riding test and go straight to getting your endorsement added.
- The entire process costs nothing if you use the state safety program, or around $20 to $30 if you take both tests at a Secretary of State office.
Step 1: Get or Renew Your Michigan Driver's License
You cannot add a motorcycle endorsement to an expired or suspended license. If your license is current, you can move straight to the written test. If your license has expired or will expire within 30 days, renew it first at a Secretary of State office or through the online renewal system on the Michigan Secretary of State website.
Bring your current license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease agreement), and proof of identity if your license is expired. The renewal takes about 15 minutes in person and costs around $25. If you are renewing online, you will receive your new license by mail within two weeks.
Step 2: Pass the Motorcycle Written Test
Visit any Secretary of State office and ask to take the motorcycle written test. You do not need to schedule in advance for the written test at most locations, though calling ahead to confirm hours is a good idea. Bring your valid driver's license and be ready to pay a small fee, usually $10 to $15.
The test has 50 questions about Michigan motorcycle laws, safe riding techniques, and hazard awareness. You need to score at least 80 percent to pass. The test covers topics like proper helmet use, how to brake on a motorcycle, what to do if your brakes fail, and Michigan's rules about lane splitting and riding at night. Study materials are available free on the Michigan Secretary of State website under "Motorcycle Operator Manual."
You will receive your test results when ready. If you pass, the office will give you a receipt showing you passed the written test. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or come back another time.
Step 3: Take the Riding Skills Test Through the Safety Program
The Michigan Motorcycle Safety Program offers the riding skills test at no cost to you. The program provides a motorcycle, helmet, and protective gear, so you do not need to own a bike or bring your own equipment. Classes run year-round at locations in Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Marquette, and several other cities.
Visit the Michigan Motorcycle Safety Program website to find a location near you and check available class dates. Most classes run for two or three days, with the riding test on the final day. You will spend the first day or two learning basic motorcycle control, then take the riding test, which lasts about 20 minutes. The test includes a figure-eight, a quick stop, and riding through a course marked with cones.
Register online at least two weeks before your preferred class date. Bring your valid driver's license and the receipt showing you passed the written test. Wear long pants, closed-toe shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt on test day. If you pass the riding test, the program sends your passing score directly to the Secretary of State, and your endorsement is added to your license within a few days.
Step 4: Get Your Endorsement Added to Your License
If you took the riding test through the Michigan Motorcycle Safety Program, your endorsement is added automatically once the program reports your passing score. You do not need to visit the Secretary of State office again. Your updated license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.
If you took the riding test at a Secretary of State office instead of through the safety program, you will receive your endorsement when ready after passing. The office will update your license on the spot, and you can ride legally that same day.
Alternative: Taking the Riding Test at a Secretary of State Office
If you already own a motorcycle and want to use it for the riding test, you can skip the safety program and take the test at a Secretary of State office instead. You must bring your own motorcycle, helmet, and protective gear. The test is the same as the safety program test—about 20 minutes of riding through a course with cones, a figure-eight, and a quick stop.
Call the Secretary of State office in your area to schedule a riding test appointment. You will need to bring your valid driver's license, proof that your motorcycle is registered and insured, and your passing receipt from the written test. The riding test fee is usually $20 to $30. If you pass, your endorsement is added to your license when ready.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not take the riding test before passing the written test. The Secretary of State will not let you schedule a riding test without proof that you passed the written portion first. If you fail the written test, study the motorcycle operator manual and retake it before booking your riding test.
Do not assume you can use your own motorcycle for the safety program test. The Michigan Motorcycle Safety Program provides all equipment, and you must use their motorcycle during the class. If you want to use your own bike, you must take the test at a Secretary of State office instead.
Do not let your driver's license expire while you are working on your endorsement. If your license expires before you pass both tests, you will have to renew it and start the process over. Check your license expiration date before you begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the motorcycle safety program class if I have never ridden a motorcycle before?
Yes. The Michigan Motorcycle Safety Program is designed for beginners. The first day or two of the class teaches you how to start the bike, shift gears, brake, and turn. You do not need any prior riding experience to register.
What happens if I fail the riding test?
If you fail the riding test through the safety program, you can retake it at the next available class, usually within a few weeks. If you fail at a Secretary of State office, you can schedule another test appointment. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test.
Do I need a motorcycle endorsement to ride a moped or scooter in Michigan?
Mopeds with engines 50 cubic centimeters or smaller do not require a motorcycle endorsement in Michigan. Scooters and motorcycles larger than 50cc do require the endorsement. Check your vehicle's engine size in the owner's manual or on the vehicle itself.
How long is the motorcycle endorsement valid?
Your motorcycle endorsement is valid as long as your driver's license is valid. When you renew your driver's license, the endorsement renews with it at no extra cost.
Can I take the written test and riding test on the same day?
You can take the written test and then register for a safety program class that starts the same week, but the safety program classes are typically two or three days long, so you would not complete the riding test the same day. If you take the riding test at a Secretary of State office, you can schedule it for the same day as your written test at some locations—call ahead to confirm.