How to Get a Motorcycle License in Texas

Picture this: You take a road trip with three of your best friends and form a biker club with some made up name like, I don't know, the Wild Hogs. You decide your life could use some more grit and fun. What's the first thing you do? Why, get your motorcycle license of course!

Motorcycles are actually quite common in Texas. In fact, the Lone Star State ranks within the top 10 U.S. states with most motorcycle registrations. If you're curious, California leads the list, followed by New York and then Florida. Texas Ranked 8th in the recent survey.

Texas Motorcycle License Requirements for Minors

The neat thing about bikers in Texas is that you don't even have to be over 18 to get your license. If you or your child who is only 15-years-old decides to get their biker's license, certain restrictions will be set in place.

Get our free mobile app

In Texas, Class M licenses means that you are under 18 years of age and limits when and how you can ride your motorcycle during the first year of obtaining the license.

For 15-year-olds, they'll get slapped with an I restriction, meaning they can only ride motorcycles with 250 CCs or less. For those like myself out there who may not be mechanically-minded, "CC" stands for cubic centimeters and basically indicates the overall size of the engine.

How to Obtain a Motorcycle License in Texas

To upgrade your status to "cool guy" and get your very own motorcycle license, you must first complete a Texas DPS-approved motorcycle safety class. Here you'll learn the basics about how to safely start, stop, and maintain your bike. Buckle up, because this course can take up to 10 hours plus some potential student driving sections.

After completing the safety course, you'll receive a completion certificate which you'll need later.

Also, make sure you read through the REAL ID checklist from the Texas Department of Public Safety. This way you know what personal information you need to have available through the process of getting your Texas motorcycle license.

Next, depending on your age, you will need to gather the required documents. For minors under 18, you'll need to prove that you are both attending your high school and also passing your classes (don't ask, that's just what they require). You'll also need a learner's permit from an established driver's ed class.

For anyone over 18 seeking a motorcycle license in Texas, they'll need to bring identification and proof of citizenship, including social security number, proof of residency, and your motorcycle registration.

The final steps are the written and road tests. Study up, because Texas requires vision and knowledge tests. The driving portion includes the evaluator following behind your bike in their car as you show your road skills.

IMPORTANT: If you already have your motorcycle license from another state, you do not have to take the road test portion.

Once you pass your tests and submit the necessary paperwork, BOOM. You've got yourself a brand new Texas motorcycle license. That is, after paying the license fee of up to $33...