MOTORCYCLE DESIGNATIONS

To operate a motorcycle in Virginia, a driver must have a valid driver’s license with a Class M designation. This designation indicates the type(s) of motorcycles the holder is authorized to operate:

M: Both two- and three-wheeled motorcycles M2: Only two-wheeled motorcycles M3: Only three-wheeled motorcycles

If your license displays both an “M”, “M2”, or “M3” designation and a “6” under “Restriction,” you are only authorized to operate a motorcycle. Without the “6” restriction, you can operate both a standard motor vehicle and the designated type of motorcycle.

ADDING A CLASS M DESIGNATION TO YOUR LICENSE

To add a Class M, M2, or M3 designation to your current Virginia driver’s license, follow these steps:

If you are 18 or older:

Pass the required vision screening. Complete one of the following: Pass a Virginia Rider Training Program course (exempting you from the knowledge and road skills exams). Pass the motorcycle knowledge exam, hold a motorcycle learner’s permit for 30 days, and pass the motorcycle road skills test. A Virginia Rider Training Program course completion certificate acts as a temporary M2 or M3 classification for 30 days if you are 19 or older. After 30 days, visit a DMV customer service center to add the motorcycle designation to your license. Certificates are valid for one year from the completion date.

If you are under 18:

Pass the required vision screening. Complete one of the following: Pass a Virginia Rider Training Program course (exempting you from the knowledge and road skills exams for one year). Pass the motorcycle knowledge exam, hold a motorcycle learner’s permit for 9 months, and pass the motorcycle road skills test. The motorcycle class has an annual fee and is valid for the same period as your driver’s license. Remember to renew your Class M, M2, or M3 designation along with your driver’s license. Check the DMV Fee Chart for the yearly charge.

LICENSE RESTRICTED TO MOTORCYCLE OPERATION ONLY

You can obtain a license restricted to motorcycle operation only, indicated by an “M”, “M2”, or “M3” designation and a “6” under “Restriction”. In addition to the motorcycle requirements, you must:

Pass the two-part driver’s license knowledge exam. The motorcycle-only driver’s license costs $6 per year and is usually valid for 8 years. To upgrade to a regular driver’s license later, pass the driver road skills test. If you are under 18, you must complete an approved driver education program before receiving any Virginia driver’s license, including a motorcycle-only license.

OUT-OF-STATE LICENSE HOLDERS

If you hold a valid out-of-state driver’s license and complete the Virginia Rider Training Program, you are not eligible for a Virginia motorcycle-only license. You must exchange your out-of-state license for a Virginia license to obtain a Class M, M2, or M3 designation.

Virginia does not accept out-of-state motorcycle safety course certificates. To receive a Class M, M2, or M3 designation, you must pass the motorcycle knowledge and road skills tests and hold a motorcycle learner’s permit for 30 days (or 9 months if under 18).

MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY

Military personnel, their spouses, and dependents with a valid Virginia driver’s license can obtain an M2 designation by submitting:

An unexpired active duty or military dependent ID card. A completion certificate from a military-approved basic motorcycle rider training course dated within one year of application.

OTHER

Visit a DMV customer service center in Virginia or apply by mail if stationed outside Virginia. A new driver’s license with the motorcycle classification will be mailed to the applicant. A license replacement fee and yearly motorcycle classification fee will apply.

For more information, refer to the DMV Fee Chart and Applying for a License guidelines.

We offer motorcycle safety training classes for various skill levels. These courses were developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), a nationally recognized organization.

COURSES AND COST

The Motorcycle Safety Academy offers motorcycle safety training classes that will include the Maryland motorcycle skills test licensing waiver. These courses include the following: Basic Rider Course (BRC), Basic Rider Course 2 (BRC2) (Advanced Course) and the 3-Wheel Basic Rider Course (3WBRC). To get additional details on these courses, please CLICK HERE to visit our course catalog.

Courses prices at a Virginia training center vary by location. To register for one of these courses, please CLICK HERE to visit our training schedule. For your convenience, you can find your specific Virginia training center location by using the filter feature. If you are an out of state resident and want to take the course at any of our Virginia training center locations, please call the appropriate state agency to determine the licensing requirements that may apply.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Virginia residents that want to take a motorcycle safety course at a Maryland training center are NOT required to have a valid learners permit or license.

Individuals under the age of 18, will need a parent or guardian signature prior to taking the course.

The Motorcycle Safety Academy is an approved motorcycle training provider for the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP).

Courses are conducted at multiple training sites throughout Pennsylvania. Click this link for a full list of locations: CLICK HERE

COURSE CURRICULUM

We offer motorcycle safety training classes for various skill levels. These courses were developed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), a nationally recognized organization.

The MSF has been designing novice and advanced rider training curricula since 1973 and is currently taught in 45 states. Since the beginning, MSF’s mission had been to promote, foster, and encourage the safety of riders and provide high quality, research-based education and training consistent with the public interest. Even today, MSF employs field-based experimental research to examine the effectiveness of new curricular programs, as well as refinements in current curriculum strategies and procedures. For example, MSF partnered with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute on the world’s first large-scale, naturalistic motorcycle riding study. The 3.5-year study began by collecting data from instruments installed on motorcycles owned by study participants in Virginia, California, Florida and Arizona as the bikes were ridden in normal day-to-day use. Sensors and video cameras recorded all motorcycle operator inputs such as steering, acceleration, braking and lean, as well as recording all motions of the motorcycle, current riding conditions and the actions of surrounding traffic.

MSF learner centric training model focuses specifically on how people learn complex skills. Motor skill development principles embrace the three-stage development process of (1) early or cognitive, (2) intermediate or associative, and (3) integrated or automated. It is important for skill development to move from simple to-complex activities, and to ensure riders are provided feedback not only from the results of their performance, but also effectively augmented by a well-prepared and motivated RiderCoach. Ensuring a low-risk environment is of utmost importance. Integral to the BRC is the MSF Basic e-Course, which provides online learning for the general public as well as MSF course participants. This e-Course mirrors the content of the BRC Rider Handbook, and serves as the basis for the Street Strategies eCourse used for riders who already possess basic skills. MSA fully believes the MSF curriculum is more focused at the needs of beginner riders. The MSF curriculum is structured to allow individuals with no experience the time necessary to develop skills and adapt to the challenges of learning complex multiple controls with the student’s trepidation taken in account.

COURSES AND COST

The Motorcycle Safety Academy offers motorcycle safety training classes that will include the Pennsylvania motorcycle skills test licensing waiver. These courses include the following: Basic Rider Course (BRC), Basic Rider Course 2 (BRC2) (Advanced Course) and the 3-Wheel Basic Rider Course (3WBRC). To get additional details on these courses, please CLICK HERE to visit our course catalog.

Successful completion and passing of a PAMSP Basic or Advanced Course waives the requirement to take a skills test at a PennDOT Driver License Center and automatically earns the permit holder their motorcycle license. Motorcycle permit holders who complete a 3-Wheel Basic Rider Course will earn a motorcycle license with a restriction prohibiting the operation a of 2-Wheel motorcycle.

Courses at a Pennsylvania training center, operating under the PAMSP, are free to Pennsylvania class M permit and license holders. To register for one of these courses, please CLICK HERE to visit our training schedule. For your convenience, you can find your specific Pennsylvania training center location by using the filter feature. If you are an out of state resident and want to take the course at any of our Pennsylvania training center locations, please call the office for further details.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Non-Pennsylvania residents are not permitted to take courses at any of our Pennsylvania locations.

Pennsylvania residents that want to take a motorcycle safety course at a Pennsylvania training center are required to have a valid Pennsylvania motorcycle learners permit or Pennsylvania motorcycle license.

Individuals under the age of 18, please CLICK HERE. for additional information on the process to obtain a motorcycle license.

OBTAINING A LICENSE

Once a student passes a license earning course, the student’s Pennsylvania motorcycle learners permit will be stamped by the instructor. This stamped motorcycle learners permit is considered a temporary motorcycle license and a student can ride legally with this document.

Once the course is completed, both the student and the instructor need to sign the PennDOT Form 402, which will be mailed to PennDOT. After PennDOT receives the signed Form 402, they will mail the student documentation on how to obtain a permanent motorcycle license. It is strongly recommended that if a student does not receive any information from PennDOT within 90 days of completing the course, to email PennDOT directly at msp-info@pa.gov to follow-up on the missing paperwork.

For those students that completed a 3-wheel course, this license will be restricted to only ride 3-wheel motorcycles. Taking a 3-wheel course DOES NOT earn a student a general motorcycle license.