Getting a Motorcycle License or Endorsement
Since 1980, Indiana has required that motorcycle riders hold a valid motorcycle operator’s license or a motorcycle endorsement on their current operator license. Indiana residents who already have an operator license may add an endorsement to their operator license allowing them to operate motorcycles. Indiana residents who do not have a valid operator license may obtain a motorcycle license allowing them to operate motorcycles only. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is currently working with ABATE of Indiana, Inc. (ABATE) to conduct motorcycle license examinations.
Important information on this page:
- Getting a motorcycle license or endorsement
- Getting a motorcycle learner permit
- Motorcycle learner permit riding privileges
- Motorcycle training and testing
- Information for new Indiana residents
Getting a motorcycle license or endorsement
To obtain a motorcycle license or endorsement, an applicant must either pass a motorcycle skill test or show proof of having passed an approved motorcycle safety course. A valid safety course completion card is valid for a waiver of the skills test for up to one year from the course completion date.
To obtain a motorcycle license, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years and 30 days old;
- Hold the temporary motorcycle learner permit for at least 30 days;
- Present documents of identification proving his or her identity, residency status and Social Security number;
- Present a valid ABATE-approved motorcycle safety course completion card;
- Pass a vision screening test;
- If younger than 18 years of age, have an appropriate family member sign a form of financial liability.
An applicant for a motorcycle endorsement must hold a motorcycle learner permit for 30 days before qualifying to obtain the endorsement. To obtain a motorcycle learner permit, an applicant must successfully pass a written exam based on the Motorcycle Operator Manual
- View the full list of identification requirements
- View more information about ABATE-approved motorcycle safety courses
- View the Motorcycle Operator Manual
Getting a motorcycle learner permit
A motorcycle learner permit is valid for one year and allows the holder to operate a motorcycle on public streets and highways.
Any Indiana resident who is at least 15-years-old and does not currently hold a valid operator license is eligible for a temporary motorcycle learner permit. To obtain a temporary motorcycle learner permit, an applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Present proof of enrollment from an ABATE-approved motorcycle safety course;
- Present documents of identification proving his or her identity, residency status and Social Security number;
- Pass a vision screening test.
If the holder of a motorcycle learner permit is younger than 18 years of age, he or she must have an appropriate family member sign a form of financial liability.
- View the full list of identification requirements
- View more information about ABATE-approved motorcycle safety courses
- View the Motorcycle Operator Manual
Motorcycle learner permit riding privileges
The temporary motorcycle learner permit does not allow the holder to operate a motorcycle on a public street or highway until after he or she has successfully completed the ABATE-approved safety course. Once the safety course has been successfully completed the temporary motorcycle learner permit is considered validated and the holder may operate a motorcycle on public streets and highways.
The holder of a temporary motorcycle learner permit may not ride a motorcycle with other passengers or during nighttime hours. He or she must wear an approved helmet with eye protection and must ride under the supervision of a licensed motorcycle operator who is at least 18 years of age.
The temporary motorcycle learner permit is only valid for a period of one year; therefore, a rider who acquires the permit when he or she is younger than 15 years and 30 days old may need to obtain another permit before applying for a motorcycle license.
Motorcycle training and testing
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles is currently working with ABATE of Indiana, Inc. (ABATE) to conduct motorcycle license examinations. In an effort to maximize efficiency and provide a high level of customer service, convenience and satisfaction ABATE will use their existing motorcycle rider education facilities in most locations for testing as well as training.
The schedule for motorcycle skill tests closely follows ABATE’s schedule for training: most weekends at numerous locations around the state. It is the goal of ABATE and their personnel to meet the needs and expectations of those persons seeking to complete their skill examination and gain their motorcycle endorsement. If the number of applicants present exceeds the number of tests that can reasonably be conducted, alternate arrangements may be made.
While tests will not be performed in hazardous weather, ABATE’s examiners have a great deal of experience conducting training in less than perfect weather. If an applicant has ridden to the testing site in the rain and will be forced to ride home in the rain, he or she will not be denied the opportunity to take the skills test as long as the environment is not deemed unsafe.
Detailed information with regard to the location of testing sites, testing schedules, clarifications between testing and training, policies and procedures for testing and contact information are available on ABATE’s Web site.
Applicants must bring a valid Indiana driver license with a valid motorcycle learner permit that has been held for at least 30 days. The applicant must provide his or her own motorcycle. There is a $10 fee for the testing.
Information for new Indiana residents
Indiana has a process in place for recognizing approved safety courses completed in other states and all five branches of the military.
An out-of-state applicant for an Indiana motorcycle license or endorsement must have completed an approved safety course no more than one year prior to applying for the Indiana license or endorsement. If you passed a motorcycle safety course in another state, or through the military, please send a copy of your safety course completion card, along with your current mailing address and phone number, to the following address:
Motorcycle Safety Program,
Indiana Department of Education
151 West Ohio Street,
Indianapolis, IN 46204
You may also fax the information to (317) 233-0858.
If it is determined that the applicant’s safety course meets the same criteria as Indiana-approved courses, he or she will be issued Indiana course completion cards dated to the day when the original safety course was completed. This card will allow the holder to waive the required Indiana roadway skills test.
If an applicant’s safety course completion card expires while he or she is holding the Indiana motorcycle learner permit, the applicant must complete another safety course.
New Indiana residents who held a valid motorcycle endorsement from another state may transfer that endorsement to their Indiana operator license after passing a written exam based on the Motorcycle Operator Manual.
