How to Get a Motorcycle License in Arizona
With lots of open roads and beautiful scenery, Arizona is a great place to ride a motorcycle. However, like anywhere else in the US, you will need a motorcycle endorsement on your license in order to ride legally.
Getting your motorcycle endorsement in Arizona isn’t a difficult process, but it is one that involves several steps to make sure that your knowledge and skills are sufficient to keep yourself safe on public roads.
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How Do You Get Motorcycle License in Arizona?
Provided you meet the basic requirements to be licensed in Arizona, and that you are the right age, you just have to fill out some paperwork, pass a test, and demonstrate that you can actually ride a motorcycle safely.
If you are under 18, you will start with a learner’s permit. While you have your learner’s permit you will be expected to complete a motorcycle safety class or log 30 hours of practice under adult supervision. After that is done, or if you’re over 18, the next step is to fill out the application.
The final steps to getting your motorcycle endorsement is to pass the written exam, and the practical skills test. Once all of that has been done, you’re all set to ride!
Motorcycle License Requirements in Arizona
While it is a simple process to get your motorcycle license in Arizona there are still some basic requirements to keep in mind. Before you can get your license, the following criteria must be met:
- You must be at least 16 years of age (you may apply for a permit at 15.5)
- If under the age of 18, you must either log 30 hours of practice under the supervision of an adult, or you must complete an MVD Motorcycle Education program. Either of these will be done while you have your permit.
- You must pass a written exam to prove your basic knowledge
- You must successfully complete a skills test to demonstrate that you can ride a motorcycle safely
Once you have satisfied all of the above conditions, all that is left is to pay a fee based on your age.
- 16 to 39 years old – $25
- 40 to 44 years old – $20
- 45 to 49 years old – $15
- Over 50 years old – $10
What Kind of Motorcycle License is required in Arizona?
Drivers’ license classes in Arizona are G – for “Graduated”, D – for “Operator”, A, B, and C – for CDL, and M – for “Motorcycle”. Each of these corresponds to a different circumstance, such as age or operating limits.
The M class most often takes the form of an endorsement rather than a standalone license. What this means is that your license “class” will be G, D, A, B, or C, with a motorcycle “M” endorsement stamped on it to show that you are able to legally ride a motorcycle.
Let’s start with the basic D class, the operator license. This is the standard drivers’ license that most drivers over the age of 18 carry. The license is good for any vehicle which doesn’t require a commercial license. With a motorcycle endorsement, this includes two and three-wheeled vehicles as well.
A G class license is awarded to drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 who have completed the licensing requirements for Arizona. These licenses allow the holder to operate any non-commercial vehicle. In practice, a class “G” license is identical to the D class, except that the holder is not yet 18.
Because commercial driver’s licenses are much more specific with their requirements and testing procedures, we won’t go into too much detail on them specifically. However, the A, B, and C class licenses can obtain endorsements in the same way that G and D licenses do. Also if you are new rider is always helps if you know how to handle a heavy motorcycle.
How Do You Get a Motorcycle License in Arizona?
We’ve briefly gone over the steps to getting a motorcycle license in Arizona, but now let’s go into more detail! The steps to getting your motorcycle license or endorsement aren’t complicated, but you must make sure to follow them if you want to finish the process. Just like in any other U.S. state, you need a valid license to explore the beautiful sceneries in Arizona. You can be fined if found riding a motorcycle without a license in the Sunshine State.
Step 1: Get your instruction permit
This is often the very first step that younger riders will take on the way to getting their license or endorsement. You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to be issued a permit, which also carries a $7 fee. You will also need to pass a written and vision tests to obtain your permit.
The permit will be good for 7 months. During that time, you will be expected to either accumulate 30 hours of practice time under adult supervision or complete an MVD Motorcycle Safety Program.
The permit comes with several restrictions like:
- Rider may not drive after dark
- Rider may not take passengers on the freeway or highway
- Rider can only drive under the supervision of a licensed driver
Step 2: Fill out your Motorcycle License Application
If you are over the age of 18, this is where you will start. Filling out the license application is the official beginning of getting your license or endorsement.
One thing to keep in mind is that if you do not have a standard driver’s license at this point, you will be required to pass the motorcycle exam and the standard driving exam.
Step 3: Take and pass the written exam
The written portion of the motorcycle exam covers information you will find in the Motorcycle Operator Manual. Once you begin, you will have three chances to pass the test within three months.
The information in the operator manual includes basic knowledge regarding operating a motorcycle. You can expect to find questions related to gear, basic maneuvers, and riding in different situations and conditions.
The test is not “open book” so be sure to look over the operator manual well before attempting to take the test to maximize your chances of passing!
Step 4: Take the motorcycle skills test
The motorcycle driving skills test is a practical test to demonstrate that you can safely operate a motorcycle. You will be expected to show that you can handle some basic road maneuvers on a motorcycle while riding on a closed course.
You will have between 10 and 15 minutes to show that you can capably perform basic moves on a bike. You will be tested on accelerating, turning, stopping, and reacting to directions given by the instructor.
Also it always helps to learn the basics of motorcycle maintenance like how to fix a flat tire of a motorcycle in the middle of the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old do you have to be to get a motorcycle license in Arizona?
You may get your permit at the age of 15.5. This means that the earliest you can get your full license or endorsement is 16 years old.
How much does it cost to get a motorcycle license in Arizona?
The instruction permit carries a $7 fee. Additionally, your license fee will vary based on your age. From 16 to 39, the fee is $25. 40 to 44 is $20, and 45 to 49 is $15. If you are over 50 years old, the fee is $10.
How long does it take to get your motorcycle license in Arizona?
If you are under 18, you will need to hold your learner’s permit for at least 6 months. However, if you are over 18 years of age, you can get your license just as quickly as you can pass the written and practical tests and attend a motorcycle safety course!
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve taken an up-close look at the process of getting your motorcycle license in Arizona. While these steps may be very similar to the ones for other states, there are some convenient differences in how Arizona licenses, especially motorcycle endorsements, are handled.
Arizona has the longest time between license renewals in the country, requiring you to renew every 12 years, which means that you will get to spend a lot less time at the DMV. The motorcycle endorsement is especially convenient, though, as it does not expire until you are 65 years old! Once you have it, there aren’t any hoops to jump through to keep it.
With the motorcycle endorsement, you can legally enjoy the amazing scenery of Arizona from the back of your favorite two or three-wheeled machine. All it takes is a few simple steps.
