New York requires a separate motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license, not a standalone license

To ride a motorcycle legally in New York, you need a motorcycle endorsement (called an "M" endorsement) added to your existing driver's license, or you can get it on a new license if you don't have one yet. You cannot straightforward take a motorcycle test without first holding a valid New York driver's license or learner's permit. The process involves a written test, a practical riding test, and proof that you own or have access to a motorcycle to practice on.

New York offers two main routes: the standard DMV route, where you study the motorcycle manual, pass a written exam at a DMV office, and pass a riding test on your own motorcycle; or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course route, where completing an approved safety course waives both the written and riding tests. Most riders find the MSF course faster and less stressful, though both paths lead to the same endorsement.

Key Takeaways

  • You must hold a valid New York driver's license or learner's permit before you can get a motorcycle endorsement.
  • The MSF Basic Rider Course waives both the written test and the riding test at the DMV, and costs between $150 and $300 depending on the provider.
  • If you take the standard DMV route, you study the New York Motorcycle Manual, pass a 50-question written test, and then schedule a separate riding test on your own motorcycle.
  • You must bring proof of ownership or a notarized letter from the motorcycle owner giving you permission to use the bike for testing.
  • The riding test takes about 15 to 20 minutes and is conducted by a DMV examiner at a testing location, not on public roads.

The MSF Course Route (fastest for most riders)

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic Rider Course is a two-day classroom and hands-on course offered at training centers across New York. The course covers motorcycle operation, safety, hazard awareness, and includes a riding test that counts as your DMV riding test. Upon completion, you receive a course completion certificate that you bring to the DMV, and the DMV will add the motorcycle endorsement to your license without requiring you to take any further tests.

The course typically costs between $150 and $300, depending on the provider and location. You do not need to own a motorcycle to take the course—the training center provides bikes for students to use during the two days. You do need to bring a valid driver's license or learner's permit, a helmet, eye protection, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt. After you pass the course, you take your certificate to any DMV office to add the endorsement.

This route is popular because it condenses the process into two days, you learn from trained instructors, and you avoid the stress of taking a riding test in front of a DMV examiner on a bike you may not be familiar with. The downside is that course dates fill up, especially in spring and summer, so you may need to book weeks in advance.

The Standard DMV Route (if you prefer to study on your own)

If you choose not to take an MSF course, you can study the New York Motorcycle Manual (available free on the DMV website or in print at any DMV office) and take the written test at a DMV office. The written test has 50 questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass. You can take the test in English or several other languages. After you pass the written test, you schedule a separate appointment for the riding test.

For the riding test, you must bring your own motorcycle (or borrow one with written permission from the owner). The test takes place at a DMV testing location, not on public roads, and lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. The examiner watches you perform basic maneuvers: starting the bike, riding in a straight line, turning, braking, and swerving. You must wear a helmet and eye protection. If you pass, the examiner issues you a passing certificate on the spot, and you take it to the DMV office to add the endorsement to your license.

This route takes longer overall because you must schedule two separate DMV appointments (one for the written test, one for the riding test), and you need access to a motorcycle for practice and for the test itself. Many people find this route more stressful because the riding test is conducted by a DMV examiner rather than a trained instructor.

What documents you need to bring

For either route, you need a valid New York driver's license or learner's permit. If you are adding the endorsement to an existing license, bring that license. If you do not have a New York driver's license yet, you must first pass the written test for a regular driver's license and obtain a learner's permit before you can pursue the motorcycle endorsement.

If you are taking the MSF course, bring your driver's license or learner's permit, a helmet, eye protection, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and a long-sleeved shirt. The training center provides the motorcycles.

If you are taking the standard DMV route and using a motorcycle you do not own, bring a notarized letter from the owner stating that you have permission to use the bike for the riding test. The letter must include the owner's signature, the motorcycle's vehicle identification number (VIN), and the owner's contact information. Some DMV offices accept a bill of sale or registration in your name instead. Call your local DMV office ahead of time to confirm what proof of ownership or permission they accept.

Finding an MSF course near you

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation maintains a list of authorized training providers on their website (msf-usa.org). You can search by state and zip code to find courses in your area. In New York, providers include organizations like the Harley-Davidson Riding Academy, local community colleges, and independent motorcycle training schools. Course dates and times vary by provider, and many fill up weeks in advance during spring and summer.

When you contact a provider, confirm the course dates, the cost, what protective gear you need to bring, and whether they provide helmets or require you to bring your own. Ask whether the course is the Basic Rider Course (BRC), which is the standard two-day course, or the Basic Rider Course 2 (BRC2), which is for riders with some experience. For a first-time rider, the BRC is the right choice.

Scheduling your DMV appointment

You can schedule a DMV appointment online through the New York DMV website (dmv.ny.gov) or by calling 1-844-DMV-MYID (1-844-368-6943). If you are taking the MSF course, you do not need to schedule a DMV appointment until after you complete the course and have your completion certificate in hand. Then you visit any DMV office to add the endorsement—this usually takes 15 to 30 minutes.

If you are taking the standard DMV route, schedule an appointment for the written test first. After you pass, the DMV will give you information on how to schedule the riding test. Riding test appointments can take several weeks to become available, especially during busy seasons, so plan ahead.

Age requirements and restrictions

You must be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle endorsement in New York. If you are 16 or 17, you must first hold a junior driver's license (Class DJ) for at least six months before you can add a motorcycle endorsement. If you are 18 or older, you can add the endorsement to a standard driver's license without waiting.

Once you have the endorsement, there are no restrictions on the size or type of motorcycle you can ride, unless you are under 18, in which case you cannot ride a motorcycle with an engine larger than 125 cubic centimeters (cc) during the first six months you hold the endorsement. After six months, that restriction lifts.

What happens after you pass

Once you pass the riding test (either through the MSF course or the DMV test), the examiner or training center issues you a completion certificate. You take this certificate to any DMV office, along with your driver's license or learner's permit, and the DMV adds the "M" endorsement to your license. The endorsement appears on your license as a small "M" code. You do not receive a separate motorcycle license—it is always part of your regular driver's license.

The endorsement is valid for the same period as your driver's license. When you renew your driver's license, the motorcycle endorsement renews automatically unless you request to have it removed.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. A learner's permit allows you to practice, but only with a licensed motorcycle rider age 21 or older riding alongside you on a separate motorcycle. You cannot ride alone. You must pass the riding test and receive the endorsement before you can ride unsupervised.

Do I need to own a motorcycle to get the endorsement?

No. If you take the MSF course, the training center provides motorcycles. If you take the standard DMV route, you can borrow a motorcycle with written permission from the owner. You do not need to own one.

How long does the whole process take?

The MSF course route typically takes two days for the course itself, plus a few days to schedule and visit the DMV office to add the endorsement—usually one to two weeks total if you can book a course quickly. The standard DMV route takes longer because you must schedule two separate appointments and have time to practice on your own motorcycle between the written and riding tests.

What if I fail the riding test?

You can retake the riding test. There is no limit on the number of attempts, but you must schedule a new appointment and pay the test fee again. Many people pass on the second or third attempt after more practice.

Can I get a motorcycle endorsement if I have an out-of-state driver's license?

You must have a valid New York driver's license or learner's permit to add a motorcycle endorsement in New York. If you have an out-of-state license, you must first convert it to a New York license by visiting a DMV office and passing the written test for a New York driver's license.