Motorcycle endorsement fees range from $10 to $50 depending on your state, but the total cost also includes the written test, skills test, and often a safety course

A motorcycle endorsement (also called a motorcycle license or M endorsement) is an addition to your regular driver's license that lets you legally ride a motorcycle on public roads. The fee for the endorsement itself is separate from your driver's license renewal and varies by state — some charge as little as $10, while others charge $50 or more. But that endorsement fee is only one piece of the cost. You'll also pay for the written knowledge test, the riding skills test, and in many states, a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course, which can run $150 to $300.

The total out-of-pocket cost typically falls between $200 and $400, though it can be less if your state waives the skills test when you complete an MSF course. Some states bundle the endorsement fee with your license renewal, so you won't pay it separately if you time it right.

Key Takeaways

  • Motorcycle endorsement fees range from $10 to $50 by state, but you'll also pay for written and skills tests unless you complete a safety course that waives them.
  • An MSF Basic Rider Course costs $150 to $300 and includes classroom and riding instruction; completing it often waives your state's riding skills test.
  • Some states let you add the endorsement to your existing license without renewing it, while others require you to renew your full license first.
  • You must pass a written test on motorcycle-specific rules and safety, and most states require a riding skills test unless you've completed an approved safety course.

What the endorsement fee covers in each state

The endorsement fee itself — the amount you pay the Department of Motor Vehicles to add the M designation to your license — is set by state law and does not include testing or instruction. In most states, this fee is between $15 and $40. A few states charge less (around $10), and a few charge more (up to $50 or higher). This is purely the administrative cost of issuing the new license or endorsement card.

Some states let you add the endorsement without renewing your full driver's license, so you pay only the endorsement fee. Others require you to renew your license at the same time, which means you'll also pay your state's standard license renewal fee — typically $20 to $100 depending on the state and how long the license is valid for. Check your state's DMV website to see whether you can add the endorsement separately or must renew your full license.

Written test costs and what you need to study

Most states charge $5 to $15 to take the motorcycle knowledge test, though some include it free with your license renewal or endorsement fee. The test covers motorcycle-specific rules, safety practices, and handling — things like how to brake on a motorcycle, what to do in an emergency stop, and how to position yourself on the road. You typically get 15 to 30 questions and must score 80% or higher to pass.

You can study for free using your state's motorcycle handbook (available on the DMV website) or through free online practice tests. Many riders also use paid study apps, but they are not required. The test itself is usually taken at a DMV office or testing center and takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Riding skills test fees and what happens if you skip it

The riding skills test — where you actually ride a motorcycle in front of an examiner — costs $10 to $50 in most states. You must bring your own motorcycle or borrow one, and it must be street-legal and registered. The test usually takes 15 to 20 minutes and includes tasks like figure-eights, emergency stops, and riding in a straight line at low speed.

However, many states waive the riding skills test if you complete an approved motorcycle safety course, usually the MSF Basic Rider Course. This is one of the biggest ways to save money: you pay for the course instead of the test, but the course fee often covers both instruction and the test waiver, so you come out ahead. Check your state's DMV website to see which courses may have access to for a test waiver in your state.

Motorcycle Safety Foundation course costs and benefits

The MSF Basic Rider Course is a two-day classroom and hands-on riding program that costs $150 to $300 depending on the provider and your location. The course covers motorcycle operation, safety, and risk management, and it includes both classroom time and time on a practice range where you ride under instruction. You do not need to own a motorcycle to take it — the course provides bikes for students.

The main financial benefit is that completing an MSF course waives the riding skills test in most states, saving you $10 to $50. Some states also offer a small insurance discount (usually 5% to 10%) if you show proof of completing the course. A few states even waive the written test if you complete the course, though this is less common. The course also gives you real riding experience before you take your endorsement test, which many riders find valuable for safety and confidence.

Some community colleges, motorcycle shops, and riding schools offer the MSF course. You can find a provider near you on the MSF website. A few states subsidize the course for low-income riders or first-time riders, so check your state's DMV or highway safety office to see if you may have access to for a discount.

How timing your endorsement with license renewal affects cost

If your driver's license is expiring soon, you may be able to renew it and add the motorcycle endorsement at the same time. This can save money in some states because you pay one renewal fee instead of two separate fees. In other states, the endorsement is a separate transaction that costs the same whether you renew your license or not.

If your license is not expiring for several years, adding the endorsement now means paying the endorsement fee separately. When your license does expire, you'll renew it and the endorsement will renew with it at no extra cost. Plan ahead: if your license expires in the next few months, it may be cheaper to wait and add the endorsement during renewal. If it expires years from now, add it now and you won't have to worry about it again until your next renewal.

Costs if you fail the test and need to retake it

If you fail the written test, you usually pay the test fee again to retake it — typically $5 to $15. Most states let you retake it the same day or within a few days. If you fail the riding skills test, you pay the test fee again, usually $10 to $50. Some states let you retake it when ready; others require you to wait a few days or weeks.

If you took an MSF course and passed it, you do not have to retake the course if you fail the written test — the course waiver still applies. This is another reason the MSF course can be a good investment: it protects you from having to pay for instruction twice if you fail the written test on your first try.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a motorcycle endorsement without taking a safety course?

Yes. You can take the written test and riding skills test without completing a safety course. However, you'll pay for both tests separately, and the total cost is often similar to or higher than taking an MSF course, which waives the riding test. The course also gives you instruction and practice, which many riders find valuable.

Do I have to own a motorcycle to take the riding skills test?

Yes, you must bring a street-legal, registered motorcycle to the test. If you don't own one, you can borrow one from a friend or family member, or take an MSF course where the course provides motorcycles for students. This is one reason many people choose the MSF route.

Will my insurance go down if I get a motorcycle endorsement?

Your auto insurance won't change, but you'll need separate motorcycle insurance to ride legally. Some insurers offer a discount (usually 5% to 10%) if you show proof of completing an MSF safety course. The discount applies to your motorcycle policy, not your car policy.

What if my state doesn't recognize my out-of-state motorcycle endorsement?

Most states recognize motorcycle endorsements from other states, but a few require you to pass their own written test or riding test to add it to your license. Check your new state's DMV website before moving. If you need to retake a test, you'll pay that state's test fees.

Can I add a motorcycle endorsement by mail or online?

No. You must take the written test in person at a DMV office or testing center, and if you're not waiving the riding test with an MSF course, you must take that in person too. Some states let you schedule tests online, but you cannot complete the endorsement without showing up.