Motorcycle License in Massachusetts

Introduction

A Class M permit, Class M license, or Class M endorsement is required to operate a motorcycle in Massachusetts.

To apply for your Massachusetts Class M motorcycle license at the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Class M permit.

If you are under 18 years old, you may apply for a Class M License if you complete a Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) course and meet all Junior Operator Licensing requirements. In order to apply, you must be at least 16 1/2 years old and have parental consent.

Anyone applying for a Class M permit or license must not have had a driver's license or right to operate a vehicle revoked.

New to Massachusetts?

You must obtain a valid Massachusetts license if you've recently become a resident. You may not convert a temporary, "limited term", or "driver privilege" out-of state license.

You can begin your application for a MA motorcycle license online

You will need to bring to your local RMV full service office:

  • Your out-of-state license to surrender.
    • If you are 18 years old or older and do not have your out-of-state license, you need to have your certified driving record from your state. It cannot be more than 30 days old.

After determining if you are eligible to convert your license, follow these steps:

  • Bring your required Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit or ID Card Application (Form LIC100).
    • If you are under 18 years old a parent or guardian MUST sign the form under Section H.
  • Visit an RMV Service Center with your required identification:
    • 1 document showing U.S. citizenship or lawful presence/ date of birth such as a:
      • Certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate.
      • U.S. passport/passport card.
      • Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561).
    • 1 document* proving your MA residency, such as:
      • Any RMV issued document.
      • Mortgage or lease documents dated within the last 60 days.
      • Federal-, state-, or municipal-issued documents such as first class mail.
      • A utility bill, bank-, credit care-, medical-statements dated within 60 days.
      • An Alternative Residency Affidavit (LIC111) if you are under 18 years old. Your parents or legal guardian must either sign the form at the RMV in the presence of an RMV agent or have their signatures notarized. Your parent or guardian MUST present to the notary public or the RMV representative a Massachusetts License/ID showing the same residential address as the applicant.
    • 1 document proving your Social Security number (the document must show all 9 digits of your SSN) such as your:
      • Social Security card.
      • W-2 form.
    • If you DO NOT have a Social Security number, produce your:
      • Denial Notice from the Social Security Administration.
      • Passport.
      AND
      • Valid visa.
  • Pay the RMV fees:
    • Class M license conversion: $115.
    • Class M and Class D conversion: $130.
    • Class M Endorsement on an existing MA license: $15.

NOTE: Drivers under 18 years old must either convert their Driver's Education certificate or complete an approved driver's education course in Massachusetts.

*NOTE: If you're applying for a REAL ID credential, you need to provide 2 documents proving your Massachusetts residency. 

Registering and Titling Your Motorcycle in MA

For information on registering and titling your motorcycle once you've arrived in Massachusetts, please see our Massachusetts motorcycle registration page.

How to Get a Massachusetts Motorcycle Permit

In order to apply for a Class M license, you must first hold a valid Class M Permit, regardless of age.

To obtain your permit, you must:

  • Be 16 years oldor older.
  • Pass a vision test.
  • Complete a Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit or ID Card Application (Form LIC100).
    • If you are under 18 years old a parent or guardian MUST sign the form under Section H.
  • Visit an RMV Service Center with your required identification:
    • 1 document showing U.S. citizenship or lawful presence/ date of birth such as a:
      • Certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate.
      • U.S. passport/passport card.
      • Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561).
    • 1 document* proving your MA residency, such as:
      • Any RMV issued document.
      • Mortgage or lease documents dated within the last 60 days.
      • Federal-, state-, or municipal-issued documents such as first class mail.
      • A utility bill, bank-, credit care-, medical-statements dated within 60 days.
      • An Alternative Residency Affidavit (LIC111) if you are under 18 years old. Your parents or legal guardian must either sign the form at the RMV in the presence of an RMV agent or have their signatures notarized. Your parent or guardian MUST present to the notary public or the RMV representative a Massachusetts License/ID showing the same residential address as the applicant.
    • 1 document proving your Social Security number (the document must show all 9 digits of your SSN) such as your:
    • Social Security card.
    • W-2 form.
    • If you DO NOT have a Social Security number, produce your:
      • Denial Notice from the Social Security Administration.
      • Passport.
      AND
      • Valid visa.
  • Pass a written knowledge test and pay the $30.

You can prepare yourself for the knowledge test by studying the Driver Handbook and the Motorcycle Manual before you make an appointment at your local RMV branch to take your exams.

If you don't already hold a valid Class D license, you must pass both a Class D knowledge test and a Class M knowledge test when applying for your Class M permit.

*NOTE: If you're applying for a REAL ID credential, you need to provide 2 documents proving your Massachusetts residency. 

Permit Conditions and Restrictions

Permit holders must adhere to the following restrictions:

  • You may only operate during daylight hours (from sunrise to sunset).
  • You may not carry passengers on your motorcycle.
  • You must wear a helmet and eye protection (goggles or protective face shield). Eye protection is not required if the vehicle has a windshield/windscreen.

You may also not operate a motorcycle in another state if that state's laws prevent it.

In order to apply for a Class M license, you must pass a road test before your permit expires. Your permit is valid for 2 years.

If you are under 18 years old, you must also complete the Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) and meet the requirements for a Junior Operator License before applying for a license (see "Motorcycle Rider Education Program" below).

Renewing a Class M Permit in MA

Your Class M permit is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. To renew the permit, you must:

  • Present the appropriate identification (see above).
  • Pass the knowledge test.
  • Pay the $30 for the test.

How to Get a Class M Motorcycle License in MA

The requirements for obtaining a Class M motorcycle license vary according to your age (see below). You may earn a Class M license if you wish to have a separate license from your Class D license, or if you do not currently possess another class of MA driver's license.

If you already have a MA driver's license, you may choose to have a motorcycle endorsement added to that license (see “Adding a Class M MA Motorcycle Endorsement" below).

Note that to apply for a Class M license, you must never have had your Class D driver's license or your right to operate a vehicle revoked.

Riders Under 18 years old

Drivers between 16 1/2 years old and 18 years old you may apply for a Class M license. You must, however, also apply with all the requirements of the Junior Operator License (for details on the graduated driver's license program in Massachusetts, visit our page on MA teen drivers).

In order to obtain a Class M license as a minor, you must complete the Massachusetts Rider Education Program Basic Rider Course AND meet the following Junior Operator License requirements:

  • Have held your learner's permit for at least 6 months before your road test.
  • Maintained a clean driving record for at least 6 months before your road test.
  • Completed and passed a driver education course.
    • 30 hours of classroom training.
    • 12 hours of road training.
    • 6 hours observing other student driver (in car).
    • 2 hours of attendance by your parent or guardian.
  • Completed 40 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving.
    • NOTE: This falls to 30 hours if you complete a driver skills development program.
    • Parent or guardian must provide certified statement of hours.

Once you have successfully completed the Basic Rider Course (see “Motorcycle Rider Education Program" below for more information) and met all the above JOL requirements, you can apply for a Class M license.

  • Visit your local RMV office and provide:
    • 1 document* proving your MA residency, such as:
      • A RMV issued document.
      • Rental, mortgage or lease documents dated in the last 60 days.
      • Federal-, state-, or municipal-issued documents such as first class mail.
      • A utility bill, bank statement, credit care statement, dated in the last 60 days.
      • An Alternative Residency Affidavit (LIC111) if you are under 18 years old. Your parents or legal guardian must either sign the form at the RMV in the presence of an RMV agent or have their signatures notarized. Your parent or guardian MUST present to the notary public or the RMV representative a Massachusetts License/ID showing the same residential address as the applicant.
    • 1 document proving your Social Security number (the document must show all 9 digits of your SSN) such as your:
      • Social Security card.
      • W-2 form.
    • If you DO NOT have a Social Security number, produce your:
      • Denial Notice from the Social Security Administration.
      • Passport.
      AND
      • Valid visa.
  • Pay the $50 motorcycle license fee.
  • Pass a road test (see “Scheduling Your Road Test" below) OR submit a certificate of completion from the Basic Rider Course (see “Motorcycle Rider Education Program" below).


*NOTE: If you're applying for a REAL ID credential, you need to provide 2 documents proving your Massachusetts residency. 

Junior Operator License Restrictions:

As a minor operator, you may not:

  • Drive between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
  • Have any passengers under 18 years old for the first 6 months of getting your license.
  • Use a mobile phone for any reason while driving.

Riders Over 18 years old

If you are 18 years old or over and hold a valid Class M permit, you may apply for an unrestricted Class M license.

To apply for a Class M license, visit your local RMV office and:

  • Complete a Driver's License, Learner's Permit, or ID Card Application (Form LIC100).
  • Bring the required identification:
    • 1 document showing U.S. citizenship or lawful presence/ date of birth such as a:
      • Certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate.
      • U.S. passport/passport card.
      • Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-560 or N-561).
    • 1 document* proving your MA residency, such as:
      • A RMV issued document.
      • Rental, mortgage or lease documents dated in the last 60 days.
      • Federal-, state-, or municipal-issued documents such as first class mail.
      • A utility bill, bank statement, credit care statement, dated in the last 60 days.
    • 1 document showing your Social Security number (the document must show all 9 digits of your SSN) such as your:
      • Social Security card.
      • W-2 form.
    • If you DO NOT have a Social Security number, produce your:
      • Denial Notice from the Social Security Administration.
      • Passport.
      AND
      • Valid visa.
  • Pay the $50 fee.
  • Pass a road test OR successfully complete a Motorcycle Rider Education Program (MREP) approved motorcycle safety course (see “Motorcycle Rider Education Program" below).

*NOTE: If you're applying for a REAL ID credential, you need to provide 2 documents proving your Massachusetts residency. 


Scheduling and Taking Your Road Test

In order to schedule a road test, you need to call the RMV Telephone Center. The RMV does not accept in-person requests for road tests.

The Telephone Center can be reached at:

  • (857) 368-8000 (MA callers in area codes 339, 617, 781, 857 and those outside MA).
  • (800) 858-3926 (MA callers in area codes not listed above).
  • 877-768-8833 (Hearing impaired callers).

You will be required to bring the following to your motorcycle road test:

  • Your motorcycle (must be insured and registered, have the proper equipment, and have an inspection sticker).
  • A helmet.
  • Eye protection (goggles or face shield) unless the vehicle has a windshield/windscreen.
  • Your valid Class M permit.

You do not need to have a sponsor come with you to the test.

Any permit holder that fails the road test 2 times must complete and pass the MREP before attempting the exam again.

Adding a Class M MA Motorcycle Endorsement

If you already possess any class of Massachusetts driver's license, you can add a Class M endorsement to that license. To do so, you must:

  • Hold a valid Massachusetts license of any class.
  • Hold a valid Class M permit.
  • Pass the road test OR present a certificate of completion from the Motorcycle Rider Education Program:
    • You may use the MREP course to waive your road test by presenting your certificate of completion to the RMV course (see “Motorcycle Rider Education Program" below).
  • Give up your permit and license in order to receive a new license with a Class M endorsement.
  • Pay a $15 fee.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are hold a Junior Operator's License when applying for your endorsement, the same restrictions that apply when driving under your existing license also apply when riding your motorcycle.

Renewing a Class M License or Endorsement

To renew your license in Massachusetts, you will need to fill out the Renewal of a Passenger/Motorcycle License or ID Card Application (Form LIC100).

For more information on renewing your MA license, please see our Massachusetts Renewing Your License page.

Motorcycle Rider Education Program

The Massachusetts Rider Education Program (MREP) oversees schools around Massachusetts offering Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)-approved courses. The RMV offers a full list of schools that provide the MSF-approved Basic Rider and Experienced Rider Education courses.

Any driver under 18 years old is legally required to complete the MREP prior to applying for a Class M license or endorsement.

The MREP may also be used to waive the road test (and associated fees) if a certificate of completion is presented to the RMV.

If you take and pass an MREP-approved safety course, the Site Coordinator will handle your licensing by submitting your information to the RMV.

Assuming you have no driving violations and have pre-paid all fees ($15 for an endorsement and $50 for a license only), your new license will be mailed to you. You should make sure your Site Coordinator has your current address.

Out-of-State Motorcycle Safety Foundation Courses

If you are a Massachusetts resident but have taken a Rider Education Program out of state, you may be able to use the course to waive your MA road test IF:

  • The course used the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course or Advanced Rider Course curriculum.
  • You submit a course completion card.
  • You submit a completed Application to Accept an Out of State Motorcycle Rider Education Program Certificate.
  • You submit a copy of your rider course Skill Evaluation and Knowledge Test on letterhead from the school offering the course.
  • You pay the $15 endorsement fee by:
    • Visiting any RMV branch.
    • Calling the Telephone Center (see “Scheduling and Taking Your Road Tests" above) or using a credit card.
    • Mailing your payment to:
      • Registry of Motor Vehicles
      • Massachusetts Rider Education Program
      • P.O. Box 55889
      • Boston, MA 02205

Forms

LIC100
Driver’s License, Learner’s Permit or ID Card Application
RMV application for an original, renewal, replacement OR corrected Class D driver's license, Class M license, learner's permit, OR MA state ID card.
LIC111
Alternative Residency Affidavit
Use this form to signify Massachusetts residency if you're a minor. Must be signed by your parent/legal guardian and notarized, or signed in-person at the RMV.
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