What is the process of getting a motorcycle license in maryland?

Obtaining a Motorcycle License

The process of obtaining a motorcycle (class M) license varies considerably depending upon several factors including your age (under 18 years of age, or 18 years of age and older), your current license (if any), and whether you’ve held a motorcycle license in the past.
What are the MVA rules and procedures for obtaining a motorcycle license?

To help explain the rules for obtaining a full motorcycle license, we have identified some key steps that you may have to take first:

1. Complete a motorcycle safety course

* If you are less than 18 years of age, you must complete a motorcycle safety course. Typically, this means one of the basic rider courses offered through the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program. However, you may be able to meet this requirement by taking a comparable course offered in another state.
* If you are 18 years of age or older, you are encouraged, but not required, to take a motorcycle safety course.

Notes:

1. If you successfully complete a course offered through the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program, you will not be required later to:

* obtain a learner’s permit; or
* take the knowledge test; or
* take the skills test.

2. If you complete a motorcycle safety course offered in another state, however, you still will be required to obtain a learner’s permit, and pass the skills test, unless you already hold a valid motorcycle license.

3. For more information about Maryland’s motorcycle safety courses, click here: http://www.marylandmva.com/MVAProg/MOTO/…

2. Complete a driver education course

* If you are applying for your 1st license, regardless of your age, your must take a driver education course. Typically, this means a course offered through a certified Maryland driver education school. However, you may meet this requirement by taking a comparable course offered by another state that meets or exceeds Maryland’s requirements.

3. Obtain a noncommercial learner’s permit

* If you are applying for your 1st license, regardless of your age, you must obtain a Type I Learner’s Permit, unless you have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course offered through the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program.
* If you want to add a motorcycle (class M) license to your Maryland driver’s license, regardless of your age, you must obtain a Type II Learner’s permit, unless you have successfully completed a motorcycle safety course offered through the Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program.

Notes:

1. If you currently hold a motorcycle license or endorsement from another state, or if you have held a motorcycle license/endorsement in the past (from Maryland or another state), you will not be required to obtain a learner’s permit unless you are unable to present proof of the licensure; in this case, you will be required to obtain the learner’s permit.

2. As part of the process of obtaining both a Type I and Type II permit, you will be required to:

* Meet the MVA’s vision requirements; and
* Pass the applicable knowledge test.

3. For more information about learner’s permits, see Obtaining a Noncommercial Learner’s Permit.

4. Obtain a provisional license

* If you are required to obtain a Type I or Type II learner’s permit, or have less than 18 months driving experience, you must obtain a provisional license before receiving a full license.

Notes:

1. If you are required to obtain a Type I learner’s permit, you will be required to complete the following steps prior to receiving the provisional license:

* Ride “conviction-free” for at least 6 months;
* Maintain a log of supervised riding time (at least 60 hours); and
* Pass the applicable skills test.

2. If you are required to obtain a Type II learner’s permit, you will be required to hold the permit for at least 14 days prior to receiving the provisional license.

3. If you are an inexperienced driver (less than 18 months) with an out-of-state license, you will be required to meet the MVA’s vision requirements prior to receiving the provisional license. The knowledge test and skills test are not required unless your out-of-state license has been expired for more than 12 months.

4. If you are an inexperienced driver (less than 18 months) with an out-of-country or U.S. Armed Forces license, you will be required to complete the following steps prior to receiving the provisional license:

* Meet the MVA’s vision requirements; and
* Pass the applicable knowledge test; and
* Pass the applicable skills test.

5. For more inf