How To Get A Motorcycle License In Utah – Quick Tips
To get a motorcycle license in Utah, you need a Class D license, be at least 16, and earn an M endorsement.
First, get a learner permit. Then take the vision test and the 25-question motorcycle knowledge test. Study the Utah Motorcycle Operator Manual as well.
Next, complete a Basic Rider Course or pass the DLD skills test. Keep your permit restrictions in mind during this time.
Once you meet the rules, add the endorsement at DLD. More details can help you ride with confidence.
Do You Need a Motorcycle License in Utah?
Yes. If you want to ride a motorcycle on Utah public roads, you need a motorcycle endorsement. It should be marked with an “M” on your license.
You must be at least 16 and already hold a Class D license. To earn the endorsement, you can pass the Utah written test and skills test at the Driver License Division. Or, you can finish an approved MSF Basic Rider Course, which can waive the skills test.
If you use a course completion card, the DLD accepts it for six months. When you test on a motorcycle, the bike you use can affect endorsement restrictions, including engine size.
If you’re under 19, you’ll also need a learner permit for at least two months unless you complete the course. Always ride only when legally endorsed and properly trained.
Get Your Utah Motorcycle Permit
To get a Utah motorcycle learner permit, you must be at least 16 and already hold a Class D driver license.
You must be at least 16 and already hold a Class D driver license to get a Utah motorcycle learner permit.
Gather your permit application documents first: your current license, proof of identity and lawful presence, your Social Security number, and two Utah residency documents if you’ve moved.
Then schedule a DLD appointment or apply online.
Pay the fee and take a vision test plus the 25-question closed-book written motorcycle knowledge test.
You must get 80% correct to qualify.
Your learner permit is valid for six months, so plan ahead.
Follow the permit restrictions closely.
No passengers, no highway riding over 60 mph, and no riding between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. during the first two months, except where allowed.
Finally, finish a Basic Rider Course (BRC) or pass the DLD skills test to earn your M endorsement.
Pass the Utah Motorcycle Written Test
Before you can ride with a permit or complete a Basic Rider Course, you’ll need to pass Utah’s 25-question, closed-book motorcycle written test.
Study the Utah Motorcycle Operator Manual, then use practice tests to check your readiness for the written exam.
You need an 80% pass score, so answer carefully and focus on safety rules, signs, and safe riding habits.
Bring the required identification, your current Utah driver license, and proof of identity or residency to the Driver License Division (DLD).
At the DLD, you’ll also complete a vision screening.
The test applies to both the learner permit path and the MSF/BRC course.
If you don’t pass, review the manual, follow the retake procedures, and test again after you’ve improved your knowledge.
Waive the Skills Test or Take It
You can either knock out the riding evaluation by completing an approved Basic Rider Course (BRC) or Experienced Rider Course (ERC). Or, you can take the Utah DLD skills test on your own.
A Basic Rider Course gives you about 15 hours of training. It includes bikes and helmets, and it can earn a skills-test waiver.
An Experienced Rider Course is shorter, about 5 hours. It may let you test on your own bike.
Bring your learner permit. Bring a properly registered and insured motorcycle, and a DOT-compliant helmet if you choose the motorcycle skills test.
At the Driver License Division, show your course completion card within six months to waive the test. If you didn’t complete a course, schedule the exam instead.
Your test bike also affects restriction codes.
Add the Motorcycle Endorsement
Once you’ve finished the training or testing step, add the motorcycle endorsement to your Utah Class D license by applying at the Driver License Division.
You’ll need to be at least 16, pass a vision test, score 80% or better on the 25-question closed-book motorcycle knowledge exam, and pay the endorsement fee.
| Step | What to bring |
|---|---|
| Course path | Basic/Experienced Rider Course (BRC/ERC) completion card dated within 6 months |
| Skills-test path | learner permit, registered and insured motorcycle, helmet, riding gear |
| Final note | Ask about any engine-size restriction on your endorsement |
Even if you finish a course, you still must pass the motorcycle written knowledge test.
If you skip the course, you’ll take the rider skills test with the DLD.
Keep your documents ready, ride safely, and confirm your motorcycle endorsement details before you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Ride a Motorcycle Without a Permit in Utah?
No, you can’t legally ride a motorcycle in Utah without a permit or endorsement.
If you’re under 16, you can’t apply at all. You’ll also need a Class D license first.
To practice, you’ll need a motorcycle learner permit after passing the written and vision tests.
Riding without it can lead to tickets and fines. It can also cause suspension and insurance problems if you crash.
How Long Is a Utah Motorcycle Permit Valid?
Your Utah motorcycle permit lasts six months from the day the DLD issues it, so the clock ticks fast.
You can practice riding, but you must follow the early limits.
That means no passengers, no nighttime riding from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, and no highways over 60 mph for the first two months.
If you don’t earn your endorsement before it expires, you may need to reapply and retake the written test.
What Documents Do I Need for the Motorcycle Endorsement?
You need your current Utah driver license, proof of identity like a birth certificate or passport, and your Social Security number.
If you’re a limited-term applicant, bring proof of lawful presence.
If you’ve moved, take two Utah residency documents, such as utility bills or bank statements.
If your name changed, bring legal name-change papers.
If you’re adding the endorsement after training or a test, bring your permit and completion or pass paperwork.
Can I Take the Motorcycle Skills Test in Winter?
Yes, you can take the motorcycle skills test in winter.
Just check availability first, since some Utah offices limit winter appointments.
You should call ahead or book online, too.
Weather can cancel tests, so it’s best to confirm before you go.
If conditions look bad, consider the MSF/Basic Rider Course instead.
It waives the DLD skills test.
Before you test, make sure your bike is registered, insured, and safe for icy roads.
Does Utah Require Eye or Medical Exams for Riders?
Utah requires a basic vision test, but it doesn’t require a separate medical exam for standard motorcycle riders. You’ll do the eye screening at the Driver License Division.
You should also wear your corrective lenses if you need them. If you have a medical condition that could affect safe riding, the DLD may ask for documentation or apply restrictions.
Always meet the vision standard before you apply for a learner permit or endorsement.
Conclusion
Getting your Utah motorcycle license is a clear road when you follow the right map.
Start with the permit, study for the written test, and then waive the skills test or show your control on the course.
Once you add the endorsement, you’re ready to ride with confidence.
Keep safety in the driver’s seat by wearing the right gear, staying alert, and respecting the road.
With each step, you’ll shift from beginner to licensed rider smoothly.
