How to Get a Motorcycle License in Ohio – [Step by Step Guide]

You can not legally drive a motorcycle in Ohio without a motorcycle license or adding a motorcycle endorsement to your Ohio driver’s license.

Fortunately, the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) has laid out a simple process for anyone looking to get a motorcycle license.

Today, we will go through everything you need to know to get a motorcycle license in Ohio. We also discuss a step-by-step process for adding a motorcycle endorsement to an existing driver license.

I am a motorcycle enthusiast living in Ohio and can guide you through getting an Ohio motorcycle license. 

Do you need a license to operate a motorcycle in Ohio?

In Ohio, you need to have a valid motorcycle license to operate a motorcycle with an engine capacity larger than 50cc. The state issues 2-wheeled, 3-wheeled, motor scooter, and moped bike licenses. You can apply for a stand-alone motorcycle license or add a motorcycle endorsement to your regular Class D driver’s license.

The license or endorsement is only issued to riders above 15 years and 6 months old. However, 14 –15 years old riders can only acquire a probationary license.

The probationary license prohibits carrying passengers, night time riding, and riding in high traffic.

What are the Requirements for Motorcycle License in Ohio?

Motorcycle license or endorsement applicants must meet the basic requirements before submitting an application.

Here are the requirements for obtaining a motorcycle license in Ohio: 

• You must be at least 15 and 6 months old.
• You must possess a valid Ohio driver’s license.
• Issue appropriate documentation, including proof of identity, legal presence, and residence.
• Complete a motorcycle knowledge exam at a driver exam station listed on the Ohio BMV website.
• Issue your Motorcycle Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC).
• Complete and pass a motorcycle skill test at a driver exam station registered on the Ohio BMV website.
• Pay the required fees to get a motorcycle license or add an endorsement to your license.

Required Paperwork

• US passport.
• Social Security Number (if issued).
• Ohio ID card. 
• Birth certificate issued from any state.
• Signed parental consent form.
• Driver license or probationary license.
• Motorcycle Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC)

For Applicants Who Are Under the Age of 18 Years:

• Possess a TIPIC for at least 6 months.
• You must complete the Ohio Basic Training Course.
• Fulfil the probationary license requirements of a driver’s license.
• Present a signed slip of your parent or guardian’s permission.

For Applicants Who Are Under 15 Years and 6 Months Old:

Ohio allows applicants above 15 and 6 months old to apply for a motorcycle license or endorsement. However, for applicants below 15 and a half years old and above 14, there are some restrictions:

• You must apply for a TIPIC.
• You must complete the Ohio motorcycle skill course and present the proof of completion to the BMV.
• You will receive a temporary permit. However, you should always wear protective gear, avoid areas with traffic, and refrain from carrying passengers.

How to Get a Motorcycle License in Ohio?

In Ohio, you can get a motorcycle-only license even if you have a Class-D driver’s license. The license only allows you to drive a motorcycle or motor scooter, not a 4-wheel motor vehicle.

If you want to obtain an Ohio motorcycle license, here is what you should do.

Complete a Driver’s Education Course

Taking this course will assist riders with essential skills and knowledge of how a motorcycle operates. This course takes about 24 classroom hours of online instruction and eight hours behind the wheel.

Acquire a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC)

Applicants must be at least 15 years and six months old before applying for a TIPIC. To get the TIPIC:

Pass the Knowledge Test

This is a written test comprising 40 multiple-choice questions.

To pass the test, it is best to prepare and know the answers to potentially hundreds of questions that may get tested. Remember that some questions may be challenging, while others might seem obvious.

The Ohio BMV recommends you study section four of the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws and Ohio Motorcycle Operator’s Manual before taking the knowledge test.

You can also take motorcycle practice tests online or from the BMV website. Practice tests are ideal as they help you build an efficient study plan by showing your strengths and weaknesses.

Once you feel prepared to pass the exam, you can visit any Ohio driver exam station and take the test.

At the exam station, you must present the following:

• Social security number.
• Proof of date of birth.
• Proof of your full legal name. 

The knowledge test tests you on Ohio laws and road signs. Applicants must pass at least 75% of the test to obtain their Ohio TIPIC.

If you fail, you may redo the test after 24 hours. In Ohio, you can retake the test several times until you pass.

Also, during the exam, you will undertake a vision screening test.

Get the Motorcycle TIPIC

After passing the knowledge test and vision screening, applicants have 60 days to purchase a TIPIC at any local license agency.

You should pay the fee and issue acceptable documentation to get the Ohio motorcycle permit there.

You must issue these documents:

• Proof of identification, residency, and citizenship/legal presence.
• Social security number or W-2 Form.
• Proof of your date of birth; US Birth Certificate or US Passport.
• Written permission from parents or a guardian if you are under 18.
• If you are a minor, a parent or guardian identification (such as a driver’s license).

Your TIPIC will be valid for one year from the date of purchase, and if it expires, you’ll have to go through the whole process again.

If you have a valid TIPIC, you must follow the following restrictions:

• You cannot carry passengers.
• You can ride only during the period from half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise.
• You must wear protective eyewear and a DOT-approved helmet at all times.
• You may not ride on congested or interstates roadways.

After obtaining your TIPIC, the next step is to take the motorcycle safety course. Anyone above 18 can schedule the skills test without going through the above steps.

Complete the Ohio Motorcycle Safety Course

Ohio offers a Basic Rider Skills Course designated for all level riders.

All riders should consider taking this 16-hour course, which takes only a week to complete. It is important to remember that you need to pass the exam before your TIPIC expires. 

Once ready, schedule a motorcycle skills test with any driver exam station listed on the Ohio BMV website. You can contact the exam station directly by phone or online using the Ohio BMV website.

Note: Riders with a valid TIPIC can take Ohio’s Motorcycle Basic Rider Course instead of the road skills test.

Upon completion of the course, you will be issued a waiver card to bypass the skills test at the BMV. You should present the waiver card to the deputy registrar within 60 days to get your license.

Pass the Ohio Motorcycle Skills Test

The last step toward getting a motorcycle license is passing the skills test. During the skills test, you will ride under the supervision of a qualified instructor or examiner.

The road skills test refines the rider’s driving manoeuvres and safety practices. Participants will learn the following:

• Safety
• Cone weaving
• Parking
• Fast stop
• Cornering
• Braking (Slowing Down Speed)
• Counter Steering (Turns)
• Obstacle swerve
• Changing traffic lanes
• Clutch Control (Speed)

Here is a general overview of what is tested on the exam:

• Your ability to foresee potential hazards.
• Understanding traffic signals.
• Driving posture.
• Adjusting speed depending on the traffic situation.
• Braking softly.
• Checking blind spots.
• Communicating with others.
• Risk management techniques.
• Driving defensively.
• Performing maneuvers.
• Completing normal and quick swerves.
• Using mirrors.
• Parallel parking.
• Accelerating and turning safely.

If you fail the skills test, you must wait 7 days to retake it. Just schedule your second skills test as soon as possible so you can try again before your TIPIC expires.

Obtain Your Ohio Motorcycle License

After passing the motorcycle skills test, you need to visit the Ohio BMV and:

• Pay the appropriate motorcycle license fee; the fee varies by age in Ohio.
• Verify your Social Security Number.
• Provide proof of your name and date of birth; you can issue a birth certificate or a driver’s or state license.
• Bring a parent or legal guardian to co-sign and consent to the license application if you are under 18.

You will immediately be issued your Ohio motorcycle license once you meet these requirements.

Determine Whether You Will Ride a 2-Wheel or 3-Wheel Motorcycle

Ohio offers separate licenses for 2-wheeled motorcycles and 3-wheeled motorcycles. You can use a 2-wheeled motorcycle license to operate a 3-wheeled vehicle.

However, you can not use a 3-wheeled motorcycle license to operate a 2-wheeled vehicle.

How to Get an Ohio Motorcycle Endorsement?

The requirements for getting an endorsement for applicants who are under the age of 18 are as follows:

• Complete a driver’s education course. This course takes about 24 classroom hours of online instruction and eight hours behind the wheel.
• Complete Ohio Basic Rider Skills (BRS) Course. These courses are for new riders and can take only a week to complete. They include classroom and on-cycle instruction and testing.
• You must fulfil the probationary license requirements of a driver’s license. This includes 50 hours of driving practice, with a minimum of 10 hours of nighttime driving.
• Schedule motorcycle skills test with any driver exam station listed on the Ohio BMV website. During the test, you must:
• Bring a helmet and protective eyewear for use during the skills test.
• Possess a street-legal motorcycle that is safe and in working condition.

Once you pass the skills test, you should visit the Ohio BMV and pay the appropriate motorcycle fee to get your endorsement.

The requirements for getting an endorsement for applicants who are above the age of 18 are pretty straightforward. They are as follows:

• Schedule motorcycle skills test with any driver exam station listed on the Ohio BMV website.
• Pass your skills test. During the test, you must:

• Bring a helmet and protective eyewear for use during the skills test.
• Have street-legal motorcycles that are in safe working condition.
• Visit the deputy registrar license agency and:

• Pay the motorcycle endorsement fee.
• Verify your Social Security number.
• Verify your identity, residency, and legal presence.

New Ohio Residents

If you recently moved to Ohio and were previously licensed in another state with a valid motorcycle endorsement, you should apply for a new license in Ohio.

However, you need to be at least 18 or older to do this.

Visit the Ohio BMV and bring the following:

• Required application fees.
• Your valid out-of-state license.
• Proof of identification, residence, and legal presence.
• Your Social Security number.

The motorcycle endorsement should be transferred over if you meet the following requirements. Ensure the endorsement is on your new license before signing it.

How to Add a Motorcycle endorsement to your Ohio driver’s license?

You must be at least 15 and a half years to obtain a Motorcycle endorsement. You cannot apply for a motorcycle endorsement if you don’t hold a valid Class D license.

If you already have a regular Class D driver’s license, all you have to do is:

Apply for a Motorcycle License

You must go to your local BMV and apply for a motorcycle license before getting the endorsement. At the BMV, you will need to provide the following:

• Ohio driver’s license.
• Ohio ID card.
• Birth certificate issued from any state.
• US passport.
• Social Security Number.

Acquire a Temporary Instruction Permit Identification Card (TIPIC)

This card is the permit that allows you to practice riding your motorbike as you wait for the endorsement. To get the TIPIC, you should pass the Knowledge and vision screening test.

During the test, provide proof of the following:

• Citizenship or legal presence.
• Ohio residency.
• Social Security number (if applicable)
• Date of birth.
• Full legal name.

After holding your TIPIC for 6 months, you can apply for an endorsement.

Complete the Ohio Motorcycle Safety Course

Most safety lessons include instructor teaching comprising 4 hours of classroom and 12 hours of on-cycle training.

No experience is necessary, and a motorcycle and helmet will be provided for all students. The entire course covers topics such as traffic interaction, swerving, cornering, and braking.

You can choose from the following courses:

• Basic Rider Skills (BRS). This is a basic rider course for new riders.
• Basic Rider Skills (BRS-2). This is only for providing riding instruction.
• Basic Rider Skills Returning Rider (BRS-RR). This refresher course is for experienced applicants who want to improve their skills.

Note: Riders with a valid TIPIC can take Ohio’s Motorcycle Basic Rider Course instead of the road skills test. Upon completion of the course, you will be issued a waiver card to bypass the skills test at the BMV. You should present the waiver card to the deputy registrar within 60 days to get your endorsement.

Complete the Ohio Motorcycle Skills Test

The road skills test refines the rider’s driving maneuvers and safety practices. At the driver exam station, you must:

• Provide a valid TIPIC.
• Bring a helmet and protective eyewear for use during the skills test.
• Have a street-legal motorcycle that is in safe working condition.

Generally, the steps for taking a motorcycle skills test are different for those below the age of 18 years than it is for those above 18 years. All applicants under 18 must:

• Hold the TIPIC for at least 6 months before applying for a skills test.
• Fulfil all probationary driver’s license requirements, including:
• 50 hours of driving practice, with a minimum of 10 hours of nighttime driving.

Purchase the Endorsement

After meeting all the requirements, visit the Ohio BMV and bring:

• A valid TIPIC 
• Social Security Number, if issued.
• Documents proving you passed the road skill test.
• Proof of your identity, residency, and legal presence.
• The motorcycle endorsement fee.
• Proof of successful motorcycle safety course completion.
• Documents proving you passed the road skill test, if applicable.

Once you complete these steps, a motorcycle endorsement will be added to your regular driver’s license. Expect to receive your endorsement in your mail within 1–3 weeks.

Restrictions for 2-Wheeled and 3-Wheeled Motorcycles

Riders with a 2-wheeled motorcycle endorsement can drive either a 2-wheeled or 3-wheeled motorcycle. But those with a 3-wheeled motorcycle endorsement can only operate a 3-wheeled motorcycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

Ohio BMV dictates that you can either obtain a motorcycle license or add a motorcycle endorsement to an existing driver license. Getting a motorcycle license in Ohio is easy if you know what to bring to the BMV. To succeed, you need to be familiar with the written laws and the Ohio motorcycle operator manual. After earning your license, it is up to you to know about your motorcycle’s limitations and ride safely on public roadways, highways, and interstates.

Pro Tip: Even after getting your license, it is illegal to operate your motorcycle without proof of financial responsibility or insurance. In Ohio, you must carry a liability coverage limit of at least:

• $25,000 in damage or destruction of property.
• $50,000 in a bodily injury involving multiple third parties.
• $25,000 in bodily injury to a single person.