New York requires a motorcycle learner permit before any motorcycle license, and the license comes as Class M for adults or Class MJ for riders under 18. The notable shortcut is that the DMV road test can be waived if you finish an approved New York Basic RiderCourse. Which path fits you depends mostly on your age and whether you already hold another New York license.
Pick the situation that matches yours
Juniors need a parent or guardian involved at several points and must wait six months with the permit before the road test.
Your steps
- Bring a parent or guardian to the DMV to apply for the motorcycle learner permit with proof of age, identity and residence; a guardian must attend if you use form MV-45.
- Pass the 20-question written test with at least 14 correct, including at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions.
- Practice with a supervisor aged 21 or older who holds a valid motorcycle license and stays within a quarter mile of you. The DMV recommends at least 30 hours, 10 of them in medium to heavy traffic.
- If you have no other New York license class, take a pre-licensing course first and keep the original MV-278 or MV-285 certificate.
- Wait at least six months from the date you got the permit before you schedule the road test, or at 16 or older earn a rider course card to seek a waiver.
- At every road test, hand the examiner form MV-262 signed by a parent or guardian, and follow the extra restrictions for drivers under 18.
What to bring
- Proof of age, identity and residence
- Parent or guardian (for the MV-45)
- Form MV-262, signed by a parent or guardian, at each road test
- Original MV-278 or MV-285 if required (copies are refused)
- A registered, inspected motorcycle if you are testing, plus a car and a driver 21 or older
If you already hold a license such as Class D, you can add motorcycle privileges, and you may skip the road test with a rider course.
Your steps
- Pass the written motorcycle test at a DMV office (20 questions, 14 to pass, 2 of 4 road signs) and get your learner permit.
- Practice under a supervisor aged 21 or older with a motorcycle license, within a quarter mile of you.
- Choose: take the road test, or complete the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or the BRC2 License Waiver course from a New York approved provider.
- With the course completion card, you can have the road test waived. The card must be issued within the past two years.
- For the road test, schedule it online using your permit, a ZIP code and an unused road test, then arrive up to 15 minutes early.
- After you pass, wait at least 7 days, then visit a DMV office with form MV-44 (check Change and write Add Class M) and pay $12.50. Your license will show both classes, such as DM.
What to bring
- Your current New York license and the motorcycle learner permit
- BRC or BRC2 completion card if using the waiver
- Temporary motorcycle license from the examiner after a road test
- $12.50 for the amendment
- Glasses or contacts if your permit requires them
With no other class on file you also need a pre-licensing course, and the finished motorcycle license arrives by mail with no extra DMV trip.
Your steps
- Apply for the motorcycle learner permit with proof of age, identity and residence and pass the written test.
- Take a pre-licensing or driver education course and bring the original MV-278 or MV-285 certificate to the road test.
- Practice with a supervisor aged 21 or older holding a valid motorcycle license; the DMV suggests 30 hours of riding.
- Schedule the road test; the DMV says the earliest dates are usually three to five weeks out and sometimes up to ten.
- Bring the motorcycle for the examiner along with a car and a licensed driver aged 21 or older, since no other passengers are allowed in that vehicle.
- Pass the test, get a temporary license from the examiner, and expect the permanent license in the mail in about 2 weeks.
What to bring
- Photo permit
- Original pre-licensing certificate
- Registered and inspected motorcycle
- Registered, inspected car or truck and a driver 21 or older for the examiner
- Proof of insurance for the vehicles
Visitors can ride on a valid license from home, but this guide could not verify the exact exchange steps for new residents, so confirm them with the DMV.
Your steps
- Remember the home license works for a visitor or non-resident; under 18, you follow both that state's restrictions and New York's.
- Read the DMV page on exchanging an out-of-state license, and ask whether the motorcycle class is carried over to your New York license.
- Do not plan on using a rider course from another state to skip the road test: the DMV says only courses from a New York approved provider qualify for the waiver.
- If the DMV tells you to start with a permit, follow the learner permit and written test steps above.
- Register and inspect your motorcycle, and carry liability insurance on every public road.
What to bring
- Your current out-of-state license
- Proof of age, identity and New York residence
- Motorcycle registration, inspection and insurance
- Any documents the DMV exchange page lists
Documents, costs and tips
Documents and paperwork
- Proof of age, identity and residence for the learner permit.
- Original MV-278 or MV-285 pre-licensing certificate if you hold no other New York class.
- Form MV-262 from a parent or guardian at each road test for riders 16 and 17.
- BRC or BRC2 completion card issued within the past two years if you use the waiver.
Costs and fees
- Adding Class M to an existing New York license costs $12.50.
- Permit and license application fees depend on the document type and your age; the DMV fee chart gives the current amounts.
- Rider course prices vary by training school; call the New York State Motorcycle Safety Program at 1-800-446-9227 or visit nysmsp.org.
New York tips
- The BRC is 18 hours for beginners and the BRC2 License Waiver course is 8 hours for riders who have held a permit for at least a year.
- All operators and passengers must wear a helmet that meets the federal standard FMVSS 218.
- Only one passenger is allowed, and the passenger must have a proper seat, foot pegs and a helmet.
- A permit rider's supervisor must be 21 or older with a motorcycle license and stay within a quarter mile.
- Taking the road test on a three-wheeler limits the license to three-wheelers.
Common questions
Can I skip the road test in New York?
Yes, if you are 16 or older, hold a valid New York license and a motorcycle learner permit, and have a BRC or BRC2 completion card from a New York approved school issued within two years.
How many questions are on the written test?
There are 20 multiple-choice questions, and you need at least 14 right, including at least 2 of the 4 road sign questions.
How long is the permit valid?
The DMV pages reviewed for this guide do not state a permit validity period. Check the date printed on your permit or ask the DMV.
What is the difference between Class M and MJ?
Class M is the adult motorcycle license. Class MJ is the junior version for riders under 18, who also face the state's under-18 driving restrictions.
Do I need my own motorcycle for the road test?
Yes. It must be operable, registered and inspected, and you also bring a separate car with a licensed driver aged 21 or older for the examiner.
Rules, fees and course details can change, so confirm everything with the New York State DMV (https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/get-motorcycle-license) before you go.