A New York State resident must have a Class M or Class MJ driver license or learner permit to drive a motorcycle. To get a motorcycle license, you must first get a motorcycle learner permit. 

Note: If you plan to apply for a motorcycle learner permit and another class of learner permit (like a Class - D 'Operator' (car), apply for the other learner permit first. When you have the other learner permit, you can apply for your motorcycle permit.

Study the New York State Motorcycle Operator's Manual online or download the PDF version (MV-21MC) to prepare for the written test.

Class M permit tests are given in 19 languages: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Haitian Creole, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Urdu, and Yiddish.

Find What You Need to Apply

When you apply, you will need to provide proof of age, identification, and residence. Your permit will be Standard, Enhanced, or REAL ID, depending on the proofs you bring and the fee. See a side-by-side comparison to learn more and determine which type of permit is right for you. 

Complete one of these guides to ensure you have the documents and proofs of identification you need before you apply.

Guide for Enhanced or REAL ID Permit

Guide for Standard Permit

You can also see a complete list:  How to Apply for a New York Learner Permit/Driver License/Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (ID-44).

If you use the "Statement of Identity and/or Residence by Parent/Guardian (PDF)" (MV-45), your parent or guardian must come with you.

You can begin your application online or at a DMV office. 

Online

See more information about taking your permit test online.

At a DMV Office

You can come to a DMV to apply (but is easier if you start your application online). Follow these instructions

1. Bring
   • your application
   • your proofs of identify, age and residence
   • payment for the application fee – see the fee chart to estimate the cost
2. Take the written test
   • To pass, you must get at least 14 of the 20 multiple-choice questions correct, including the correct answers to at least two of the four questions about road signs
3. If you pass your written test
   • we will give you a temporary permit at the office
   • you will receive your permit within 2 weeks by mail

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV

Before you schedule your road test, we recommend that you have at least 30 hours of practice on a motorcycle, with or without formal instruction. We also recommend that you have at least 10 hours of practice in medium to high-volume traffic.

When you practice driving with a motorcycle learner permit

• you must be supervised by a driver age 21 or older who has a valid motorcycle license from any state
• the motorcycle driver who supervises you must be within 1/4 mile of you at all times
• you must obey the general restrictions for permit holders
• if you have a Class MJ permit, you must obey the restrictions and requirements for drivers under the age of 18

If you do not already have another class of New York State driver license, you must complete a pre-licensing course or a Driver Education course before you can schedule a road test. 

Find a Pre-Licensing Course

Motorcycle Safety Course

Your road test can be waived if you are qualified and you complete an approved course. To get information about approved courses in your area, visit the New York State Motorcycle Safety Program website.

 To qualify for the waiver you must

• be 16 years of age or older
• have a valid New York State license (Class A, B, C, D, DJ or E)
• have a valid class M or MJ motorcycle learner permit
• present either a Basic Rider Course (BRC) or a Basic Rider Course 2 License/Waiver (BRC2-LW) Course completion card issued by the New York State Motorcycle Safety Foundation within two years of completing the course

You cannot get a waiver for a motorcycle road test if you completed a rider course given in another state.

If you are under the age of 18, you must wait at least 6 months from the date you received your learner permit to schedule your road test.

The road test scheduling system offers the earliest available dates and times at sites near the ZIP code you provide. Usually, the earliest date is within 3 to 5 weeks, but at peak testing periods during summer and school breaks it may be up to 10 weeks away. There are no waiting lists. Tests are almost always on weekdays (only rarely do we offer them on a Saturday).

You do not need to schedule your road test in the county or area of the state where you live. Find road test locations.

What you need to schedule

• a valid New York State Motorcycle Learner Permit (see a sample learner permit)
• an original, unexpired Pre-Licensing Course Certificate (MV-278) or a Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) (if you do not already have a Class D license). 
  • If you completed the online pre-licensing course the course provider will report course completions to DMV automatically and you will not have to show a completion certificate when appearing for the road test. If you completed the pre-licensing course through a driving school's distance learning class you must provide the Pre-Licensing Course Certificate (MV-278) to the examiner when appearing for the test.
• the ZIP code of the location where you would like to take the test
• at least 1 unused road test 

SCHEDULE A TEST

Tests can be canceled/rescheduled or relocated due to bad weather or road construction. Before you leave for your test, check for any cancellations, closings, and delays.

Arrive up to 15 minutes before the time of your test. If you are late, the license examiner may not be able to conduct your test and you will have to reschedule.

Possession of a firearm, rifle, or shotgun in or upon any New York State DMV road test site is prohibited by law unless otherwise authorized (Penal Law §§265.01-D, 265.01-E).

Bring

• a licensed and registered vehicle to perform the road test
• your photo learner permit
• your glasses or contacts, if your permit indicates you need corrective lenses 
• your original Pre-licensing Course Certificate (MV-278) or Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) if you do not already have another license type. Copies are not acceptable
• a Certification of Supervised Driving (PDF) (MV-262), if you are under 18, completed by your parent or guardian - must be given to the license examiner each time you take a road test 
• a properly operating, registered, and inspected motorcycle
• a properly operating, registered, and inspected motor vehicle and a driver with a valid driver license to transport the license examiner during your road test 
• a driver age 21 or older who has a license valid to operate the test vehicle
  • no other passengers are allowed
  • if the driver does not possess a valid license with a motorcycle endorsement, the motorcycle must either be brought by trailer or pickup truck to the road test post

If you pass the road test, the examiner will issue a temporary motorcycle license to you.

If you do not have another class of New York State driver license, you will receive your motorcycle license with your photo by mail about 2 weeks after your road test (you do not have to visit a DMV office);

If you already have another class of New York State driver license, wait at least 7 days after your road test to apply for your motorcycle license at a DMV office, and be sure to

• complete an Application for Permit, Driver License, or Non-Driver ID Card (PDF) (MV-44)
• mark the "Change"  box at the top, and write “Add Class M (or MJ)" in the "Other Change" box
• bring your temporary motorcycle license, your motorcycle permit, and your current photo license 
• pay the $12.50 fee to amend your driver license

Both driver license classes will be listed on your new document (for example, Class DM).  Your new license expires on the same date as your previous one.

The DMV office will issue a temporary license without a photo of you. Allow two weeks to receive your new license by mail.