How to Get a Motorcycle License in Texas
📌 Before you start: Texas won't issue a Class M to anyone 18 to 24 who hasn't completed the 6-hour adult drivers ed course. If that's you, knock it out online before Step 1 below.
If you want to ride a motorcycle or scooter in Texas, you need a Class M license. If you already have a Texas Class C driver's license, you'll just add a motorcycle endorsement. If you don't yet hold a Texas license at all, your first stop is Texas drivers ed, then everyone follows the same four steps to a Class M.
- You need a Class M license (or motorcycle endorsement on your Class C license) to ride legally in Texas.
- The fastest route: complete a TDLR-approved Motorcycle Safety Course, which waives both the written and skills tests at DPS for adults 18+ who already hold a Class C license.
- Riders 18 to 24 must complete adult drivers ed before applying for any Texas license, including a Class M.
Six hours between you and the open road.
Texas requires a 6-hour drivers ed course before anyone 18 to 24 can apply for a license, Class M included. It's online. It's self-paced. The final exam doubles as your DPS written test, so you knock both out in one sitting.
Step 1: Take a TDLR-Approved Motorcycle Safety Course
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) requires you to complete an approved Motorcycle Safety Course before you can get a Class M license. The course is about 10 hours of combined classroom and on-bike training covering basic controls, braking, cornering, swerving, hazard awareness, and Texas motorcycle traffic laws.
When you finish, you'll receive a Motorcycle Safety Course completion certificate (MSB-8 for new riders, or MSB-8R for returning riders). The certificate is valid for 24 months, so plan to get your license within that window or you'll have to retake the course.
If you're a first-time Texas driver, here's the wrinkle most riders miss: Texas drivers ed requirements for 18-year-olds apply to motorcycle licenses too. You can't apply for a Class M without finishing drivers ed first if you're between 18 and 24.
Step 2: Gather Your DPS Documents
If you're 18 or older, bring proof of identity, U.S. citizenship, Social Security number, and Texas residency, plus motorcycle registration and insurance (or a signed statement if you don't own a bike yet). If you don't already hold a Texas Class C license, bring your DE-964 (drivers ed completion form) or ADE-1317 (adult drivers ed completion).
If you're 15 to 17, bring all of the above, plus:
- A parent or legal guardian present to sign authorization
- Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form from your high school or GED administrator
- Form DE-964 showing classroom drivers ed completion
- Class C learner license or provisional license
Not sure whether to go parent-taught or instructor-led for the under-18 path? Our breakdown of parent-taught vs. instructor-led drivers ed walks through both.
Let's get you on that bike.
Step 3: Take the Written and Skills Tests (or Get Them Waived)
Adults 18+ with a valid Texas Class C license: completing the TDLR safety course waives both the written knowledge test and the on-bike skills test at DPS. Show up with your certificate and documents, and you can skip both.
Minors and applicants without a Class C license: you must take the written knowledge test, drawn from the Texas Drivers Handbook. You get three attempts within 90 days before needing to file a new application. All minors must also pass the on-bike skills test at DPS, even after completing the safety course.
Step 4: Visit the DPS and Get Your License
Schedule an appointment through the official Texas DPS scheduler. Appointments fill up fast in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and other major metros, so book several weeks ahead. At your appointment, you'll:
- Submit your safety course certificate and documents
- Pass any required tests (or have them waived)
- Pay the application fee
- Get your photo and thumbprint taken
You'll leave with a temporary license. Your permanent Class M arrives by mail within a few weeks. For the official document checklist, the Texas DPS motorcycle license page has the full list.
Restrictions for Riders Under 18
Minors face two specific Class M restrictions:
| Restriction | Who It Applies To | What It Means | How to Remove It |
|---|---|---|---|
| "I" restriction | 15-year-olds only | Limited to motorcycles 250cc or smaller | Lifts at age 16 after passing skills test |
| "J" restriction | All riders under 18 | Must ride supervised by a licensed motorcyclist 21+ | Removed after passing DPS skills test |
Minors also cannot carry passengers, and a minor's Class M license expires on their 18th birthday.
Helmet Requirements
Texas requires helmets for all motorcycle riders and passengers under 21, no exceptions. Riders 21 and older may opt out only if they've completed an approved motorcycle operator training course OR carry qualifying health insurance with motorcycle injury coverage. Even with the legal exemption, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's motorcycle safety data shows helmets significantly reduce fatal injuries.
What Can Slow Down Your Texas Motorcycle License
- Expired safety course certificate. 24-month limit. Apply before it expires or retake the course.
- Missing documents. Especially the VOE for minors. Forgetting one means a wasted DPS trip.
- DPS appointment backlogs. Skills test slots in major metros book weeks out.
- No drivers ed completion. No DE-964 (under 18) or ADE-1317 (18 to 24) means no Class M.
Helmet picked out yet?
Good. Now let's get the paperwork lined up. Drivers ed course is step one.
Is it Time for an American Autobahn?
Will we ever see a no speed limit freeway in the U.S.?
How to Get Your Motorcycle License in Florida
Adding a motorcycle endorsement or getting a motorcycle only driver’s license doesn’t have to be hard. Here’s what you need to know about Florida’s rules.
Looking for more driving resources?
Enter your email for deals, study materials, car maintenance tips, insurance savings, and more.