The Colorado motorcycle license process takes about two to four weeks from start to finish, and you'll need to pass a written test, a riding skills test, and a vision screening
Colorado issues a motorcycle endorsement on top of your regular driver's license rather than a separate license. You can get it through the standard Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) route, which involves studying the motorcycle handbook, passing a written exam at a DMV office, and then passing a riding test at an approved testing location. Alternatively, you can take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course, which waives the written and riding tests if you pass the course itself.
The fastest path for most people is the MSF course route — you complete the course, get a certificate, bring it to the DMV with your regular license and payment, and walk out with the endorsement. The standard DMV route takes longer because you have to schedule the written test, study, pass it, then schedule and pass the riding test separately.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado requires you to pass a written test, a riding skills test, and a vision screening, or complete an MSF-approved motorcycle safety course to skip the tests.
- An MSF course typically costs $150 to $300, takes one to three days, and results in a certificate you can bring directly to the DMV.
- The standard DMV route requires you to study the Colorado Motorcycle Operator Handbook, pass the written test at a DMV office, and schedule a separate riding test with an approved examiner.
- You must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid Colorado driver's license or instruction permit to get a motorcycle endorsement.
- The DMV charges a fee to add the endorsement to your existing license, separate from any test fees.
The MSF Course Route (Fastest Option)
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation course is the quickest way to get your endorsement if you can find an available class near you. Colorado has approved MSF instructors throughout the state — you can find them through the MSF website or by searching "MSF motorcycle course Colorado." Classes typically run Friday evening plus Saturday and Sunday, or compressed into two full days, and cost between $150 and $300 depending on the provider.
When you complete the course, you receive a certificate of completion. Bring that certificate, your current Colorado driver's license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and the endorsement fee (currently $20.00 for a four-year endorsement, though fees can change) to any DMV office. You do not take any additional tests — the certificate proves you passed the riding and written components through the course. The DMV processes it on the spot or within a few days, and you leave with your endorsement added to your license.
The Standard DMV Route (Written and Riding Tests)
If you do not take an MSF course, you must pass both a written test and a riding test through the DMV system. Start by getting the Colorado Motorcycle Operator Handbook from any DMV office or downloading it from the Colorado DMV website. Study it — the written test covers road rules, motorcycle-specific safety, and hazard recognition, and you need to pass with a score of at least 80 percent.
Schedule your written test at a DMV office by visiting in person or calling ahead. You can take the test the same day you arrive if the office is not busy, or you may need to book an appointment depending on location. Bring your driver's license or instruction permit, proof of residency, and payment for the test fee (currently $10.00). Once you pass the written test, you receive a score sheet.
Next, you must schedule a riding test with an approved examiner. Colorado contracts with private testing facilities and some DMV offices to conduct these tests. The examiner will watch you perform basic motorcycle handling skills — starting, stopping, turning, and emergency maneuvers — on a closed course. You must bring your own motorcycle or arrange to use one through the testing facility (some facilities rent motorcycles for the test). The riding test fee is currently $15.00. Pass the riding test, and you have both test results in hand.
Take your passing score sheets, your driver's license, proof of residency, and the endorsement fee to a DMV office to finalize the endorsement. The entire process from studying to endorsement typically takes three to four weeks because of scheduling gaps between the written test and the riding test.
Age and License Requirements
You must be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle endorsement in Colorado. You also need to hold either a valid Colorado driver's license or a Colorado instruction permit. If you do not yet have a driver's license, you will need to get one first — that process involves its own written test, vision screening, and driving test.
If you are under 18, Colorado law requires you to have held your instruction permit for at least 12 months before you can take the driving test for a full license. The motorcycle endorsement can be added once you have the full license, so plan accordingly if you are a younger rider.
Documents and Fees You Will Need
Bring your current Colorado driver's license or instruction permit to every DMV visit. You will also need proof of residency — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your current Colorado address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.
The endorsement fee is $20.00 for a four-year endorsement (the standard term). If you take the written test through the DMV, that costs $10.00. If you take the riding test through the DMV, that costs $15.00. An MSF course costs $150 to $300 depending on the provider and location, but it replaces both the written and riding test fees. Keep receipts from any tests you pass — you will need the score sheets to show the DMV.
What Happens After You Pass
Once the DMV processes your endorsement, your driver's license will show the motorcycle endorsement code (usually "M" in the endorsement section). You can ride a motorcycle legally in Colorado when ready. Your endorsement is valid for the same period as your driver's license — typically four years — and renews at the same time.
Colorado recognizes motorcycle endorsements from other states, so if you move to Colorado with an out-of-state endorsement, you can transfer it by visiting the DMV with your out-of-state license and proof of residency. You do not need to retake tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an out-of-state motorcycle endorsement to ride in Colorado?
Yes, you can ride with an out-of-state endorsement while you are visiting or temporarily in Colorado. If you become a Colorado resident, you must transfer your endorsement to a Colorado license within 30 days of establishing residency. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Colorado residency, and the endorsement fee to a DMV office.
Do I need to take a riding test if I already ride motorcycles?
Yes, unless you complete an MSF course. The riding test is required by Colorado law regardless of your experience. The MSF course is designed for riders of all levels, including experienced ones, and the certificate waives the test requirement.
What if I fail the written or riding test?
You can retake either test. There is no waiting period between attempts, so you can schedule another test as soon as the testing facility has availability. You pay the test fee again for each attempt. Most people pass on the second try after studying the handbook more carefully or practicing specific riding skills.
Can I get a motorcycle endorsement if I have a suspended or revoked license?
No, you cannot add an endorsement to a suspended or revoked license. You must have a valid, active driver's license or instruction permit. If your license is suspended, you must complete the reinstatement process first.
How long does the endorsement stay on my license?
Your motorcycle endorsement is valid for the same period as your driver's license — typically four years in Colorado. When you renew your driver's license, the endorsement renews automatically unless you request to remove it. You do not need to retake any tests at renewal.