What Type of License Do I Need to Operate a Motorcycle?

It’s exciting to get a motorcycle and ride Florida’s picturesque roads, but before you buy a bike and rev up the engine, know there are important legal requirements you need to be aware of. For example, operating a motorcycle in Florida requires a specific type of license.

If you are in a motorcycle collision and one or more individuals involved do not have the correct licensing, it could impact insurance negotiations. Talk to a Tampa personal injury attorney to have your unique circumstance reviewed.

Basic Requirements for Motorcycle Operation in FL

In the state of Florida, a driver’s license for your car is not enough to legally operate a motorcycle, you need to add a motorcycle endorsement to your driver’s license. This endorsement signifies that you have completed the necessary training and testing to operate a motorcycle safely on the road. Both new riders and experienced motorcyclists need to have the proper endorsement on your license before riding a motorcycle. Or, there is also the option of obtaining a motorcycle-only license.

If you already possess a valid Florida driver’s license, the process of adding a motorcycle endorsement includes completing a Basic Rider Course (BRC), a course given by the Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP). You will participate in classroom instruction and on-cycle riding exercises. Once the course is successfully completed, you’ll receive a waiver for motorcycle riding skills. Then, you take these test results to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

For individuals who don’t hold a regular driver’s license or are an out-of-state resident looking to obtain a motorcycle-only license to use when in Florida, you can complete the BRC and a written exam at a DMV office. Assuming you pass both, you’ll receive a motorcycle-only license. As the name implies, with a motorcycle-only license you are limited to operating motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters. Driving a car or other types of motor vehicles with this type of license is illegal.

Steps to Obtain a Motorcycle License

The process of adding a motorcycle endorsement to your license is not hard, but there are steps that need to be followed.

• Study the FL motorcycle rules. Before enrolling in a course, study the Florida Motorcycle Handbook.
• Enroll in a course. Sign up for a BRC offered by a certified instructor. It will cover both theoretical knowledge and practical riding skills.
• Complete the class and test. Attend all sessions of the course and pass the written exam to prove your understanding of motorcycle safety practices and traffic laws.
• Obtain an endorsement. Take your completion card to a DMV office to have your motorcycle endorsement added to your driver’s license.

Operating a motorcycle in Florida requires more than just a regular driver’s license and securing the correct license is part of staying safe. If you were involved in a motorcycle accident and you or others did not have motorcycle endorsements, discuss your compensation options with a Tampa personal injury attorney.

Were you in a motorcycle collision? Insurance negotiations may be complicated, talk to the attorneys at HD Law Partners to learn more. Call 813-964-7878 to schedule a confidential, free consultation.