What you need to know about Minnesota motorcycle permits
Minnesota requires a separate motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license to operate any motorcycle, moped, or motorized bicycle on public roads. You cannot straightforward use a regular car license. The state offers two paths: a permit that lets you practice under restrictions, or a direct license if you pass the written and riding tests without the permit stage.
The permit costs $16.50 and lasts 180 days. It requires you to wear a helmet, ride only during daylight, carry no passengers, and display a red "M" plate on your motorcycle. The full endorsement costs $20 and has no restrictions. Both are added to your existing driver's license rather than issued as separate documents.
You must be at least 15 years old for a moped permit, 16 for a motorcycle permit, and 18 for an unrestricted motorcycle license. If you are under 18, you also need a signed parental consent form and must complete a Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Course before the state will issue your endorsement.
Key Takeaways
- Minnesota requires a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license; you cannot ride with just a regular license.
- The permit path costs $16.50, lasts 180 days, and requires a helmet, daylight-only riding, and no passengers until you pass the riding test.
- Riders under 18 must complete a Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Course and bring signed parental consent to the exam.
- The written test covers road signs, motorcycle-specific rules, and hazard recognition; the riding test is performed on a closed course with a state examiner.
- You can skip the permit and test directly for the full endorsement if you already hold a valid motorcycle license from another state.
Steps to get a Minnesota motorcycle permit
Start by visiting your local Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) office with your current driver's license, proof of identity, and proof of Minnesota residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 30 days). Bring your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If you are under 18, bring a parent or guardian and a signed Parental Consent Form MV 3, available on the Minnesota Secretary of State website.
Tell the DVS staff you want to add a motorcycle endorsement. They will give you the written test on a computer at the office. The test has 40 questions covering road signs, motorcycle handling, braking, turning, and hazard awareness. You must score at least 80 percent to pass. If you fail, you can retake it the same day or return later.
Once you pass the written test, the DVS will issue your permit when ready. Your current driver's license will be updated to show the motorcycle endorsement with a red "M" plate restriction. You can then practice riding under the permit restrictions while preparing for the riding test.
Permit restrictions and what they mean
A motorcycle permit in Minnesota comes with four hard restrictions. You must wear a helmet at all times, even if you are riding alone in a parking lot. You can only ride during daylight hours—from sunrise to sunset. You cannot carry any passengers, including friends or family. You cannot ride on interstate highways or limited-access roads.
These restrictions exist because permit holders have not yet demonstrated riding skill to an examiner. They are enforced by law enforcement, and violating them can result in a citation and fine. The restrictions remain in place until you pass the riding test and receive your full endorsement.
If you need to ride at night or on an interstate before your test, you must have your full endorsement. This is why many riders schedule their riding test within a few weeks of getting the permit rather than waiting months.
The motorcycle riding test and what to expect
The riding test is administered by a Minnesota DVS examiner on a closed course, usually at a local DVS office or testing site. You must bring your own motorcycle or moped, a helmet that meets Department of Transportation standards, and your permit. The examiner will not provide a bike or helmet.
The test takes about 15 to 20 minutes and includes a pre-ride inspection (checking lights, brakes, and mirrors), basic control exercises (figure-eight turns, quick stops, swerving), and riding in a pattern that simulates street conditions. The examiner scores you on smooth acceleration, proper braking, control during turns, and awareness of the test course boundaries.
You must score at least 70 percent to pass. Common reasons riders fail include stalling the engine, dropping the bike, running wide on turns, or failing the pre-ride inspection. If you fail, you can retake the test after waiting one day. Many riders take a Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Course before the test, which covers the exact skills the examiner will evaluate.
Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Course and why it matters
The Minnesota Motorcycle Safety Course is a two-day classroom and riding program run by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. It costs between $200 and $300 depending on the provider and covers basic motorcycle operation, hazard recognition, and emergency braking. The course is mandatory for riders under 18 before they can receive their endorsement.
For riders 18 and older, the course is optional but widely recommended. Completing it gives you two advantages: you can waive the riding test and receive your endorsement based on the course completion certificate alone, and you may receive a motorcycle insurance discount (typically 5 to 15 percent) that often pays for the course cost within the first year.
To find a course near you, search the Motorcycle Safety Foundation website or contact your local DVS office for a list of approved providers. Courses fill up quickly, especially in spring and summer, so register several weeks in advance.
Transferring a motorcycle license from another state
If you already hold a valid motorcycle endorsement from another state and are moving to Minnesota, you can transfer it without retaking the written or riding test. Bring your out-of-state license, your current Minnesota driver's license, and proof of residency to a DVS office. The staff will add the motorcycle endorsement to your Minnesota license for a $20 fee.
The transfer is straightforward and usually takes one office visit. You do not need to take any tests or complete a safety course. Your new Minnesota license will show the motorcycle endorsement with no restrictions, even if your previous state's license had restrictions.
If your out-of-state license has expired, you will need to pass Minnesota's written and riding tests instead. The state does not restore expired endorsements from other states.
Renewing and maintaining your motorcycle endorsement
Your motorcycle endorsement renews automatically when you renew your driver's license. In Minnesota, driver's licenses are valid for eight years. You can renew online through the Secretary of State website, by mail, or in person at a DVS office. The renewal fee for your license is $24.50; the motorcycle endorsement itself has no separate renewal fee.
If your license expires while you are riding, you cannot legally operate a motorcycle. Riding on an expired license is a traffic violation. Renew at least two weeks before your expiration date to avoid a gap. If your license has already expired, you must renew it in person at a DVS office with proof of identity and residency.
Your motorcycle endorsement remains valid as long as your driver's license is valid. You do not need to retake tests or recertify your riding skills unless your license is suspended or revoked.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ride a motorcycle with just a permit, or do I need the full endorsement?
You can ride with a permit, but only under the four restrictions: helmet required, daylight only, no passengers, and no interstate highways. If you need to ride outside these limits, you must have the full endorsement, which requires passing the riding test.
What happens if I fail the riding test?
You can retake the test after waiting one day. There is no fee for retakes. Many riders take a motorcycle safety course between attempts to practice the specific skills the examiner evaluates, such as figure-eight turns and emergency braking.
Do I need to take the written test again if I already have a motorcycle license from another state?
No. If your out-of-state motorcycle endorsement is still valid, you can transfer it to Minnesota without any tests. Bring your out-of-state license and proof of Minnesota residency to a DVS office, and they will add the endorsement to your Minnesota license for $20.
How long does the permit last, and what happens if it expires?
A motorcycle permit is valid for 180 days from the date of issue. If it expires before you pass the riding test, you must retake the written test and get a new permit. There is no fee to renew a permit, but you will need to return to a DVS office and pass the written test again.
Can I ride a moped with a motorcycle permit?
Yes. A motorcycle permit in Minnesota covers both motorcycles and mopeds. The same restrictions explore: helmet, daylight only, no passengers, and no interstate highways. Once you pass the riding test and receive your full endorsement, you can ride both without restrictions.