How to Get a Motorcycle License in NJ – Step By Step Guide

The procedure for getting a motorcycle license in New Jersey varies depending on the rider’s driving experience or age. You can get a license with or without enrolling in the Basic Rider Course, whether you have a basic or commercial driver’s license.

In this guide, I outlined the step-by-step procedure for getting a motorcycle license in NJ. You’ll also learn about the NJ motorcycle license requirements and how long it takes before receiving one.

I’m a New Jersey resident, and I’ve been touring on my motorcycle for over eight years. I can help you learn the best steps to obtain a motorcycle license in NJ.

How to Get a Motorcycle License in NJ

There are two ways to get an NJ motorcycle license, but you must be at least 17 years old before applying. The first way is by enrolling in a Basic Rider Course. This class is a license test waiver program and is the quickest way to get your license. A second option is to get your motorcycle license without the Basic Rider Course. You’ll need a Motorcycle Examination Permit for this process.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission requires riders to have a motorcycle license before operating on state roads. You must meet the above requirements and more to get a motorcycle license.

Motorcycle License Requirement in New Jersey 

Each resident who operates a motorcycle in New Jersey can pick between two courses of action. First, they can have an NJ motorcycle driver’s license if they don’t have a standard motor vehicle license. The second option is to apply for a motorcycle endorsement for your standing NJ basic or commercial license.

Either way, you can operate your motorcycle legally on New Jersey roads. Here are the New Jersey motorcycle license requirements.

For an applicant having a basic or commercial NJ driver’s license, these requirements apply:

• Sign up for a Basic Rider Course (BRC).

Register at a legitimate motorcycle training provider in NJ and then take the motorcycle training course.

• Present course completion documents.

Present your course completion documents when visiting a testing center. The documents must indicate 100% participation and successful course completion.

• Have 6 points of ID.

You must pass the 6 points of ID verification to prove your identity. These include:

– Proof of address
– A verifiable Social Security Number (SSN), a letter of ineligibility for an SSN from the Social Security Administration (SSA), or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).
– At least one Secondary Document
– At least one Primary Document

• Be at least 17 years of age.

For the probationary license, the minimum age is 17 years. However, parent or guardian consent is a necessity for those under the age of 18 years. But you should be at least 18 years old for an unrestricted license.

• Pass a vision test.

Have your eyesight checked through a vision test. The requirement is a 20/50 visual acuity with or without contact lenses.

• Pay the endorsement fee.

Be in a position to pay the designated motorcycle license endorsement fee.

For an applicant who does not have a basic or commercial NJ driver’s license, these requirements apply:

• Be at least 17 years old.

Applicants should have a minimum age of 17 years. However, the consent of a parent or guardian is a necessity for those under the age of 18 years.

• Get a motorcycle permit.

Ensure you get a New Jersey motorcycle examination permit before driving a motorcycle.

• Validate 6 points of ID.

Bring 6 points of ID verification to an MVC to prove your identity. These include:

– Proof of address
– A verifiable Social Security Number (SSN), a letter of ineligibility for an SSN from the Social Security -Administration (SSA), or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).
– At least one Secondary Document
– At least one Primary Document

• Have New Jersey insurance coverage.

Retain the minimum required insurance coverage for New Jersey motorcyclists.

• Take the NJ motorcycle road test.

Pass the New Jersey MVC’s motorcycle road test. Have an understanding of safe driving by adhering to the road rules.

• Pass the vision tests.

Have your eyesight checked; the requirement is a 20/50 visual acuity with or without contact lenses.

• Pay the required license fees to obtain a Probationary Motorcycle License. 
• Complete the probationary riding for one year. After that, apply for an unrestricted motorcycle license.

How to Get a Motorcycle License in New Jersey

New Jersey does not require bikers to complete Basic Rider Courses to obtain a permit or license. However, completing the motorcycle classes would be worth your while. If you own an NJ driver’s license, completing the course would give you the following advantages:

• It waives the need for a motorcycle permit.
• It waives the road test requirement for motorcycle endorsement applicants.
• It waives the written test.
• You may qualify for motorcycle insurance discounts.

There are two ways of obtaining a motorcycle license in NJ. You can get the license with or without a Basic Rider Course. But before that is better to read about some tips to ride motorcycles.

Here is a step-by-step procedure for getting an NJ motorcycle license.

Get a Motorcycle License With Basic Rider Course

Here are the steps involved for all applicants with a driver’s license.

Step 1: Sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Education Basic Rider Course

• Register at a legitimate motorcycle training center in NJ.
• Take and complete the course. It will involve attending approximately 5 hours of classroom and about 10 hours of riding exercises.
• You should carry a DOT-approved helmet during your lessons, but most providers let you borrow from them. Also, for hands-on exercises, you need a long-sleeved shirt, eye protection, long pants, shoes that cover the ankles, and gloves.

Step 2: Bring Course Completion Documents

• You need 100% participation and need to complete the rider course successfully.
• You are issued a completion card and a stamped waiver form upon graduating. The stamped waiver allows you to proceed directly to the permit part of the procedure.

Note: You do not require a motorcycle permit before taking the rider course. But after completing the course, you need to apply for a motorcycle endorsement and add it to your license. After that, you can ride your motorcycle without restrictions.

Step 3: Get a Motorcycle Endorsement

You should get a motorcycle endorsement after completing a Basic Rider Course. The endorsement has restrictions for a 3-wheel motorcycle only.

• You must be at least 17 years old. However, the consent of a parent or guardian is a necessity for those below the age of 18 years.
• Get a motorcycle permit.
• Bring documents to the testing center to validate the course completion.
• Pass the 6 Points ID Verification to prove your identity.
• Take and pass a vision test.
• You must pay the necessary fee. The MVC accepts Mastercard, cash, money orders, American Express card, Discover card, and Visa card.

Here are the steps involved for all applicants without a driver’s license.

Step 1: Apply for a Motorcycle Examination Permit

• Must have a minimum age of 17 years; the consent of a parent or guardian is necessary for those under 18 years.
• Get a motorcycle permit at your Motor Vehicle Agency branch.
• You need to pass the Motor Vehicle Commission’s knowledge and vision tests. You can take the New Jersey motorcycle written test at any NJ MVC driver testing center.
• Carry proof of residency and identification documents.
• There is a minimal fee to pay.

Step 2: Sign up for a Basic Rider Course

• If you are 17 or 18, you must register at a legitimate motorcycle training provider in NJ.
• Take and complete the course. It will involve attending approximately 5 hours of classroom and about 10 hours of riding exercises.

Step 3: Get Course Completion Documents

• You will get a course completion card only after completing the BRC classes.
• 100% participation is required.

Step 4: Practice Ride

• After receiving the permit, you can then start practicing riding. Ensure that you observe motorcycle permit riding restrictions.
• Practice riding for at least six months if you are 21 years or below. For those above 21 years, practice for at least three months without any postponements or suspensions.

Step 5: Take the Motorcycle Road Test

• Visit the MVC site and schedule a road test appointment.
• Applicants must pass the New Jersey MVC motorcycle road test to obtain a probationary motorcycle license.
• Bring a registered and insured motorcycle, eye protection, and a helmet.
• Please note that passing the BRC doesn’t omit this requirement.

Step 6: Obtain a Class E Probationary Motorcycle License

• Pay the necessary Class E probationary motorcycle license fee upon completing the road test.
• Observe probationary riding privileges and restrictions for all Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) for at least one year. Within this one year, applicants are not prohibited from carrying passengers, driving on restricted toll roads, or riding after dark. 

Step 7: Get an Unrestricted Motorcycle License

• To receive an unrestricted NJ motorcycle license, you must be at least 18 years of age, with a full year of probationary riding.
• Pay all the required fees in full.

Get a Motorcycle License Without Basic Rider Course.

You can still get a motorcycle license in NJ without attending rider safety classes. Here are the steps involved for all applicants with a driver’s license. 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.

Step 1: Obtain a Motorcycle Examination Permit

Please note the following: 

• You must be at least 17 years old; the consent of a parent or guardian is a necessity for those under the age of 18 years.
• You must still apply for a motorcycle permit if you own a driver’s license.
• You must get a motorcycle permit at your nearby Motor Vehicle Agency branch.
• You must also pass the MVC’s knowledge and vision tests. The written permit test has 50 multiple-choice questions. This depends on the Motorcycle Manual and Driver Manual provided by NJ.
• You need to carry 6 points of ID verification to prove your residency and identification.
• You need to schedule a road test appointment.
• There is a minimal fee to pay.

Step 2: Take the Motorcycle Road Test

• Applicants must pass the New Jersey MVC motorcycle road test to get a probationary motorcycle license.
• Visit the MVC test site and schedule a road test appointment.
• Bring a registered and insured motorcycle, eye protection, and a helmet.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

Step 3: Practice Ride

• You must practice riding for about 20 days if you already own a driver’s license.
• Adhere to all the riding restrictions on your motorcycle permit.
• You are prohibited from riding on limited-access highways, carrying passengers, and operating a motorcycle from about an hour before sunrise to another hour after sunset.

Step 4: Apply for a Motorcycle Endorsement

• Bring 6 Point ID Verification to prove your identity.
• Applicants must be at least 17 years of age. However, the consent of a parent or guardian is a necessity for those below the age of 18 years.
• You must pay the required fee. 

Here are the steps involved for all applicants without a driver’s license.

Step 1: Apply for a Motorcycle Examination Permit.

• Must be at least 17 years old; the consent of a parent or guardian is a necessity for those below the age of 18 years.
• Carry 6 Points of ID verification to prove residency and identification.
• Apply for a motorcycle permit at your nearby Motor Vehicle Agency branch.
• You must also pass the MVC’s knowledge and vision tests. The written permit test has 50 multiple-choice questions. This depends on the Motorcycle Manual and Driver Manual provided by NJ.
• There is a minimal fee to pay.

Step 2: Take Motorcycle Road Test.

• Visit the MVC test site and schedule a road test appointment.
• Bring a registered and insured motorcycle, eye protection, and a helmet.

Step 3: Practice Riding.

• Start practicing riding while observing motorcycle permit riding restrictions.
• Practice riding for at least six months if you are 21 years or below. For those above 21 years, practice for at least three months without any postponements or suspensions.

Step 4: Obtain a Class E Probationary Motorcycle License.

• Upon completing the MVC’s road test, pay the necessary Class E probationary motorcycle license fee.
• Must be at least age 18.
• Observe probationary riding privileges and restrictions for a year. Within this one year, applicants are not prohibited to carry passengers, driving on restricted toll roads, or riding after dark.

Step 5: Get an Unrestricted Motorcycle License. 

• You must be at least 18 years old, with a complete year of probationary riding, to receive an unrestricted NJ motorcycle license.
• Pay all the required fees in full.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Motorcycle License in NJ?

For already licensed drivers, you only have to wait for 20 days to take the road test after earning the permit.

If you are an applicant above 21 years old, you can get your license after three months of practice driving and taking a Basic Rider Course.

In case you are 17 years, you will be able to get your first license after having your permit for a year. However, you can finish all your test drives and other requirements during that period.

Getting a motorcycle license in New Jersey may take longer than in other states because of their monthly practice rules.

You can become a licensed driver in two ways: getting a new motorcycle-only license or adding an endorsement to your regular license.

Motorcycle License vs. Motorcycle Endorsement in NJ

A motorcycle license is the same as a driver’s license, though meant only for motorcycles. However, a motorcycle endorsement is an addition to your driver’s license. It lets you operate a motorcycle legally and an automobile in New Jersey. 

Riders might need a motorcycle endorsement even if they do not possess a motorcycle. The requirements for getting a motorcycle license or endorsement may differ with the state. Authorities issue endorsements on the driver’s license based on your need to use a motorcycle for certain purposes.

A New Jersey motorcycle license, not an endorsement, cannot be used to drive a motor vehicle. They are specifically for motorcycles.

People who would require an endorsement include riders who want to:

• Carry passengers.
• Operate motorcycles alone.
• Drive commercial motorcycles.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Getting a motorcycle license in New Jersey is not complicated as long as you have all the requirements. You may have to go through paperwork and own a couple of visits to the Motorcycle Vehicle Commission. Also, the steps you need to take depend on whether you go through with the Basic Rider Course. But one thing that stands is that you must be at least 17 years old to legally operate your bike.

Pro Tip: The MVC advocates that motorcyclists practice all the basic riding skills. It emphasizes skills such as braking, obstacle swerving, cone weave (U-turn), turning, and stopping. Such skills are your “elementary level” lessons geared to teach you how to maneuver on the state roads.