Colorado requires a separate motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license
You cannot ride a motorcycle on Colorado roads with just a regular driver's license. You need a motorcycle endorsement, which is an addition to your existing license that shows you have passed both a written test and a riding skills test specific to motorcycles. The Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) administers this endorsement.
The process has two main paths: you can take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course and skip the riding test, or you can study on your own and take both tests at a DMV office. Most riders choose the MSF course because it covers safety skills you will actually use and removes the riding test requirement.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado requires a motorcycle endorsement separate from your regular driver's license, obtained through the DMV.
- Taking an MSF-approved motorcycle safety course lets you skip the riding test at the DMV and go straight to the written test.
- If you study on your own, you must pass both a written test and a riding skills test at a DMV office, and you need to bring your own motorcycle.
- The written test covers road rules, motorcycle-specific hazards, and safe riding practices; you need a score of at least 80 percent to pass.
- You must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid Colorado driver's license or instruction permit before you can test for a motorcycle endorsement.
The MSF course route: fastest path for most riders
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course is a two-day classroom and hands-on training program offered by approved instructors throughout Colorado. The course covers motorcycle operation, hazard awareness, braking and turning, and emergency maneuvers. You ride a small motorcycle provided by the instructor, so you do not need to own one yet.
After you complete the MSF course, you receive a completion certificate. Take this certificate to any Colorado DMV office along with your driver's license or instruction permit, and you can take the written endorsement test without having to take the riding test. You still must pass the written test, but you skip the skills evaluation entirely.
The MSF course costs between $150 and $250 depending on the provider and location. Search for approved courses at msf-usa.org or contact your local DMV office for a list of instructors near you. Many courses fill up weeks in advance, especially in spring and summer, so register early.
The self-study route: bring your own motorcycle to the DMV
If you do not take an MSF course, you must study the Colorado Motorcycle Operator Handbook on your own and then pass both a written test and a riding skills test at a DMV office. The handbook is free and available on the Colorado DMV website.
For the riding test, you must bring your own motorcycle that is street-legal and registered in Colorado. The motorcycle must have working mirrors, lights, and brakes, and you must have a valid helmet. The test takes about 20 minutes and includes basic maneuvers like figure-eights, quick stops, and swerving. You need to demonstrate control and safe judgment.
This route is less expensive upfront—you only pay the test fee—but it requires you to already own a motorcycle and be comfortable riding it well enough to pass a skills test. Most people find the MSF course more practical because it teaches you on a bike you do not own and eliminates the riding test pressure.
What you need before you test
You must hold a valid Colorado driver's license or instruction permit before you can test for a motorcycle endorsement. You cannot get a motorcycle endorsement on its own; it attaches to an existing driver's license.
You must be at least 16 years old. If you are under 18, you may have additional restrictions depending on your license class, so check with your local DMV office about any age-specific rules.
Bring proof of identity (your driver's license), proof of Colorado residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. If you are taking the riding test, bring a street-legal motorcycle, a helmet, and protective gear (jacket, gloves, long pants, closed-toe shoes).
The written test: what to study
The motorcycle written test has 25 questions covering Colorado traffic laws, motorcycle-specific hazards, and safe riding practices. You need a score of at least 80 percent (20 out of 25 correct) to pass. The test takes about 15 minutes.
Study the Colorado Motorcycle Operator Handbook, which covers topics like how to brake on gravel, what to do if your brakes fail, how to ride in rain, and how to position yourself in a lane to be seen by other drivers. The handbook also explains Colorado's helmet law (required for all riders under 18; optional for riders 18 and older) and the rules for riding with passengers.
If you take an MSF course, the instruction covers all the material on the written test, so you will be prepared. If you study on your own, read the handbook at least twice and take practice tests online—several Colorado DMV-approved websites offer free practice questions.
The riding test: what the examiner watches for
The riding skills test lasts about 20 minutes and takes place in a closed course at a DMV office or testing site. You will perform basic maneuvers that show you can control the motorcycle and make safe decisions. The examiner watches for smooth acceleration and braking, proper turning technique, and awareness of your surroundings.
Common maneuvers include riding in a straight line, making sharp turns, performing quick stops, swerving around an obstacle, and riding at low speed in a figure-eight pattern. You will also ride on an open course to show you can handle normal road conditions. The examiner is looking for control, not speed—smooth and safe beats fast.
You fail the test if you drop the motorcycle, fail to maintain control, run over cones, exceed the speed limit, or show unsafe judgment. You can retake the test if you do not pass, though you will need to pay the test fee again.
Costs and timeline
The MSF course costs $150 to $250 and takes two full days. After you complete it, you can take the written test at the DMV the same day or any day after. The written test fee is $20. Total cost: roughly $170 to $270.
If you study on your own and take both tests at the DMV, the written test costs $20 and the riding test costs $20. Total cost: $40, but you must own a street-legal motorcycle and have the riding skills to pass.
Wait times at DMV offices vary by location and season. Spring and summer are busiest. You can schedule a test appointment online through the Colorado DMV website or call your local office. Some offices allow walk-ins, but appointments are faster.
After you pass: getting your endorsement
Once you pass the written test (and the riding test if you did not take an MSF course), the DMV will issue you a new driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement. The endorsement appears as a code on your license and shows that you are legally permitted to operate a motorcycle on Colorado roads.
Your new license arrives by mail within one to two weeks. You can request a temporary paper license at the DMV office if you need to ride before the plastic card arrives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a motorcycle with just my regular driver's license while I wait for my endorsement?
No. You cannot legally ride a motorcycle on public roads in Colorado without the endorsement on your license. Riding without it is a traffic violation. You must wait until you pass the test and receive your new license with the endorsement.
Do I have to take the MSF course, or can I just study on my own?
You can study on your own, but you must then pass both the written test and the riding test at the DMV. The MSF course is optional but popular because it teaches you practical skills, provides the certificate that waives the riding test, and costs less than paying for both tests separately if you fail the riding test.
What if I fail the written test?
You can retake the written test after waiting one day. You will pay the test fee again ($20). There is no limit on how many times you can retake it. Most people pass on the second attempt after reviewing the handbook more carefully.
Can I use a borrowed motorcycle for the riding test?
Yes, as long as the motorcycle is street-legal, registered in Colorado, and has working mirrors, lights, and brakes. The motorcycle does not have to be registered in your name. Make sure you are comfortable riding it before the test day.
Is the motorcycle endorsement valid in other states?
Yes. A Colorado motorcycle endorsement is recognized in all other states. If you move to another state, you will not need to retake the test—your Colorado endorsement transfers. Some states may require you to get a new license with their endorsement format, but they will not make you test again.