There’s nothing like exploring the open roads of Texas in the open air. A motorcycle ride or even a ride on a simple scooter is an exhilarating and eco-friendly option for transportation in Texas. But Texas considers two-wheeled or three-wheeled, motorized forms of transportation as vehicles that require regulation for operators. To legally ride a motorcycle or scooter in Texas, the state requires motorcyclists to have a Class-M license.
Whether you already have a driver’s license and need a motorcycle endorsement, or you have no Texas driver’s license and are seeking only a motorcycle license, you need to know what to expect and what’s expected of you when seeking a motorcycle license in Texas, including requirements for underage riders.
Applying for a Class-M License in Texas If You Are at Least18 Years Old
Before an adult motorcyclist can legally ride the roadways in Texas, they must have a valid Class-M license or the addition of the Class-M endorsement to their existing Texas driver’s license. The first step is to complete a DPS-approved motorcycle safety course. After completing the course, they must take the certificate of completion with them to the driver’s license office. This certificate is only valid for 24 months from the date it was issued. If a motorcyclist waits too long to apply for their Class-M license after completing the course and the certificate expires, they must retake the class for a new certificate of completion.
A Motorcyclist with a valid Class-M license from another state doesn’t need to complete a Texas motorcycle safety course to obtain their Texas motorcycle license.
Besides a certificate of motorcycle course completion, adult applicants for a Texas motorcycle license must also have the following:
- Proof of identity and U.S citizenship
- A social security number
- Proof of valid motorcycle insurance coverage
- A motorcycle registration
Adults who do not have a driver’s license must also complete an Adult Driver’s Education course and bring a current certificate of completion. All applicants must pass a written test and a motorcycle street-riding test. This means on the day they apply, motorcyclists must bring a driver and a dependable motorcycle for the test. All applicants must pass a vision test and pay the license fee to obtain the Class-M license.
Under-Age Applicants for a Motorcycle License in Texas
Under-age motorcyclists must be at least 15 years old to legally obtain a license and operate a motorcycle in Texas. As with adult applicants, underage applicants between ages 15 and 18 must have proof of U.S. citizenship, a social security number, and proof of motorcycle registration and insurance as well as a certificate of completion for a motorcycle safety course. In addition, underage motorcyclists must have either a valid learner’s permit or proof of completion of the classroom portion of a driver’s education class (DE964). All applicants must pass a vision test and both a written motorcycle knowledge test and a motorcycle riding test on the street.
A parent must sign an authorization for an underage motorcyclist to obtain a Class-M license. Since an underage applicant for a Texas motorcycle license must bring a motorcycle and a driver, it’s often easiest for a parent to bring their child to apply for their motorcycle license so they can sign the authorization.
Texas restricts motorcyclists under the age of 16 to motorcycles with a maximum of 250 cubic capacity (cc).
Speak to an Austin motorcycle accident attorney today if you have been involved in an accident and are seeking legal representation.