While we often see motorcycles on the road alongside cars and trucks, they require a separate type of licensing. If you have a standard driver’s license, you cannot operate a motorcycle until you get a motorcycle license. There may be several paths to choose from when applying for a motorcycle license.
Before getting a motorcycle license, you may enroll in a basic rider course approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC). Some applicants are required to enroll in a course, while others may be able to skip it. If you have an existing driver’s license, you may get an endorsement that allows you to operate a motorcycle. However, you do not need to have a driver’s license to apply for a new motorcycle license. Having a valid license and enrolling in safety courses may help you if you are ever involved in a motorcycle accident.
Call our Trenton, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer, Jerry Friedman, at 1-800-529-4464 to start your case with a free, private review.
Getting a Motorcycle Endorsement for an Existing Driver’s License
Many people who want a motorcycle license already have a standard driver’s license. In that case, you only need to add a motorcycle endorsement to your existing license.
Basic Rider Course
Depending on your specific situation, you may need to enroll in a basic rider course approved by the NJMVC. A typical course requires at least 5 hours of classroom instruction and at least 10 hours of actual riding exercises.
If you are under 18 or do not already have a standard driver’s license, you may be required to take a basic rider course. If you are 18 or older and have a driver’s license, you can skip the basic rider’s course, although there are still other requirements to fulfill.
Obtain a Motorcycle Endorsement
Before getting a motorcycle endorsement for your driver’s license, you must go to your local NJMVC and bring the paperwork from when you completed a basic rider course. You must also bring at least 6 points of identification, pass a vision test, and pay any required fees.
If you opted not to take a basic rider course, you will need to first apply for a motorcycle examination permit and complete at least 20 days of riding practice. Next, you must take a motorcycle road test before getting the endorsement.
Getting a Motorcycle License without an Existing Driver’s License in NJ
If you do not have a driver’s license, you may still apply for a motorcycle license. However, there may be some requirements you cannot opt out of.
Obtain a Motorcycle Examination Permit
All applicants who do not have a driver’s license must first obtain a motorcycle examination permit. This requires 6 points of identification and a knowledge and vision test. Also, you must be at least 17 to apply for a permit.
You must accrue at least 6 months of practice riding if you are under 21 and at least 3 months of practice riding if you are over 21.
Enroll in a Basic Rider Course
If you are over 18, you do not have to enroll in a basic rider course. The course is mandatory if you are 17. Again, a basic rider course requires at least 5 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding exercises.
Take a Road Test
Your next step is to schedule and complete a road test. You must bring your own motorcycle to the test, along with a helmet and eye protection. If you complete the test, you may be granted a motorcycle endorsement.
Once you have a motorcycle endorsement, you might encounter accidents or collisions, and our Atlantic City, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer can assist you in seeking justice and fair compensation.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Motorcycle License in NJ?
Before obtaining a motorcycle license or endorsement, you must be prepared to present documentation regarding identification.
Points of Identification
You must present identification such as birth certificates, passports, driver’s licenses, non-driver ID cards, military ID, professional licenses, and ATM cards with a printed name and signature.
Each piece of identification is worth a certain number of points. More formal ID, like a birth certificate or passport, is worth 4 points. Other secondary forms may be worth 1, 2, or 3 points. You must present identification that amounts to at least 6 points.
Social Security Number
You need to present a Social Security card before you can get a motorcycle endorsement or license. This is to verify your identity with the Social Security Administration. If you do not have a Social Security number for any reason, you may submit an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
Proof of Address
Finally, you need to have proof of your address and New Jersey residency. Mail with your full name and address, property tax bills, or an unexpired lease agreement may suffice.
FAQs About Getting Your Motorcycle License in NJ
Do I Need a Driver’s License to Get a Motorcycle License?
No. You may apply for a motorcycle license even if you do not have a driver’s license. However, you may have to fulfill certain requirements, like enrolling in a basic rider’s course, getting a learner’s permit, and taking a road test.
Do I Have to be 18 to Get a Motorcycle License?
No. Riders under 18 may apply for a motorcycle license. If you are younger than 18, enrollment in a basic rider course is mandatory and cannot be skipped.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Motorcycle License?
If you take a basic rider course, which requires 5 hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding exercises, you may apply for a motorcycle endorsement. If you skip the basic rider course, you must complete a minimum of 20 hours of practice riding and schedule a motorcycle road test. Riders under 18 may not skip the basic rider course.
What Kind of Documents Do I Need to Apply for a Motorcycle License?
To get your motorcycle license, you need 6 points of identification, your Social Security card, and proof of your address, such as a piece of mail with your name on it. If you complete a basic rider’s course, you should also bring the paperwork you received upon completion.
Is a Basic Rider Course Mandatory for Motorcycle Licensing?
A basic rider course is required for riders who are under 18 or those who are applying for a motorcycle license without first having obtained a standard driver’s license. If you already have a driver’s license and are 18 or older, you can obtain a motorcycle license or endorsement without taking a basic rider course.
How Much Does it Cost to Get a Motorcycle License?
If you must apply for a motorcycle permit, there is a $5 fee, and the endorsement is $24. Basic rider courses are more expensive and may cost several hundred dollars, depending on which course you take.
Contact Our NJ Motorcycle Accident Attorneys if You Are Injured in a Crash
Call our Jersey City, NJ motorcycle accident lawyer, Jerry Friedman, at 1-800-529-4464 to start your case with a free, private review.