What You Need to Do to Get a Pennsylvania Motorcycle Permit
A Pennsylvania motorcycle permit lets you ride a motorcycle on public roads under certain restrictions — you must wear a helmet, cannot ride at night, and cannot carry passengers. You get it by passing a written test at a PennDOT Driver License Center, and it costs $20. The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed once for another year before you must take the riding test and pass the skills exam to get a full motorcycle license.
You do not need a motorcycle permit to take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course, and many riders skip the permit entirely and go straight to the skills test after completing an MSF Basic Rider Course. That course satisfies the riding test requirement and costs between $150 and $300 depending on the provider.
Key Takeaways
- You must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid Pennsylvania driver's license or learner's permit to get a motorcycle permit.
- The written test covers motorcycle operation, safety, and Pennsylvania traffic laws specific to motorcycles, and you can study using the PennDOT Motorcycle Operator Manual.
- With a permit, you can ride only during daylight hours, must wear a helmet, cannot carry passengers, and must display your permit on your motorcycle.
- An MSF Basic Rider Course bypasses the written test and riding test, costing $150 to $300 and taking two to three days to complete.
- After passing the written test or completing an MSF course, you must pass a skills test at a PennDOT center to get your full motorcycle license.
Age and License Requirements for a Motorcycle Permit
You must be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle permit in Pennsylvania. You also need a valid Pennsylvania driver's license or learner's permit — you cannot get a motorcycle permit on its own if you do not already have driving privileges.
If you are 16 or 17, your parent or guardian must sign a consent form at the PennDOT Driver License Center. Bring their photo ID and proof that they are your parent or legal guardian, such as a birth certificate or custody papers. If you are 18 or older, you do not need parental consent.
How to Pass the Motorcycle Written Test
The Pennsylvania motorcycle written test has 25 questions and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass. The test covers how to operate a motorcycle safely, Pennsylvania traffic laws as they explore to motorcycles, and hazard recognition. You take the test on a computer at any PennDOT Driver License Center.
Study using the free PennDOT Motorcycle Operator Manual, available on the PennDOT website. The manual covers braking, turning, shifting gears, riding in different weather, and what to do if your motorcycle fails. Many riders also use online practice tests to get familiar with the question format before they go to the center.
You can retake the test if you fail, but you must wait one day before your next attempt. Each test costs $20.
What Your Motorcycle Permit Allows and Restricts
With a Pennsylvania motorcycle permit, you can ride a motorcycle on public roads, but under strict limits. You cannot ride between sunset and sunrise — only during daylight hours. You must wear a helmet at all times. You cannot carry a passenger. You must display your permit on your motorcycle where it is visible.
You also cannot ride on limited-access highways such as interstate highways unless you are accompanied by a licensed motorcycle rider who is at least 21 years old and riding on a motorcycle beside you. This restriction exists because permit holders have not yet passed a riding skills test.
Your permit is valid for one year from the date you receive it. You can renew it once for another year, but after two years you must pass the riding skills test to get a full license or your permit expires.
Taking the MSF Course Instead of the Written Test
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course is a two- or three-day hands-on class that teaches motorcycle operation and safety. If you complete an MSF course, you do not have to take the PennDOT written test, and you do not have to take the riding skills test — the MSF course completion certificate satisfies both requirements.
MSF courses cost between $150 and $300 depending on the provider and location. Pennsylvania has MSF providers throughout the state; you can find them on the MSF website. The course includes classroom instruction, a written exam, and a riding skills test on a closed course using a motorcycle provided by the instructor.
After you complete an MSF course, you take your completion certificate to a PennDOT Driver License Center and pay $20 to get your motorcycle license without taking any further tests. This route is faster than the permit route if you want to ride without restrictions right away, though it costs more upfront.
Steps to Get Your Full Motorcycle License After the Permit
After you hold a motorcycle permit for at least one day, you can take the PennDOT riding skills test. The test takes place at a PennDOT Driver License Center and costs $10. You must bring your own motorcycle or use one provided by the center if available — call ahead to ask whether the center has motorcycles for test-takers.
The riding skills test includes a written portion on motorcycle safety and a practical riding portion where an examiner watches you perform basic maneuvers such as starting, stopping, turning, and swerving. You must pass both parts to get your license.
Once you pass, you pay $20 and receive your motorcycle license. This license has no restrictions — you can ride at night, carry passengers, and ride on highways.
Documents and Fees You Will Need
| Step | Documents Needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Get motorcycle permit | Valid PA driver's license or learner's permit; parental consent form if under 18 (with parent photo ID and proof of guardianship) | $20 |
| Retake written test | Valid PA driver's license or learner's permit | $20 per attempt |
| Take MSF course | Valid PA driver's license or learner's permit; proof of age | $150–$300 |
| Take riding skills test | Valid motorcycle permit or MSF completion certificate; valid PA driver's license or learner's permit | $10 |
| Get motorcycle license | Passed riding skills test | $20 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a motorcycle with just a regular driver's license?
No. Pennsylvania requires a separate motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license. You must pass either the written test and riding skills test or complete an MSF course to get this endorsement. Riding without it is illegal and can result in a fine.
Do I have to take the MSF course or can I just do the permit and test route?
You can choose either route. The permit route is cheaper upfront ($20 for the permit, $10 for the skills test) but takes longer because you must wait at least one day after getting the permit before you can take the riding test. The MSF route costs more ($150–$300) but gets you a full license faster and without the daytime-only and no-passenger restrictions of the permit.
What happens if I fail the riding skills test?
You can retake the test. There is no waiting period between attempts, but each test costs $10. You must have a valid motorcycle permit or MSF completion certificate each time you test. If your permit expires before you pass, you must renew it or retake the written test.
Can I ride on highways with a motorcycle permit?
Not alone. You cannot ride on limited-access highways like interstates unless a licensed motorcycle rider at least 21 years old is riding beside you on another motorcycle. Once you get your full license, you can ride highways alone.
How long is a motorcycle license valid in Pennsylvania?
A motorcycle license is valid for four years from the date you receive it, the same as a regular driver's license. You renew it at a PennDOT Driver License Center by paying the renewal fee and passing a vision test.