Licensing Requirements

Operating a motorcycle requires special knowledge and skills beyond those required to operate a car. To prepare for safe, enjoyable riding, you should know all you can about your motorcycle and what's necessary to operate it legally in Virginia.

Motorcycle Registration

If you own and operate a motorcycle in Virginia, you must have a Virginia title, registration card and license plate. The registration fee is $26.75. You may select a personalized plate for an additional $10 per year. Before you can register your motorcycle, you must certify that it is insured with a company authorized to do business in Virginia. Vehicles registered in Virginia must remain insured during the entire registration period.

Licensing

You must hold a valid driver's license with a Class M designation or a motorcycle driver's license. If you are learning to operate a motorcycle, you may obtain a motorcycle learner's permit. Study this manual and the Virginia Driver's Manual before taking the knowledge and skills tests required for licensing.

Beginning July 1, 2008, learner's permits and driver's licenses issued by DMV will be valid for eight years. However, there are exceptions. Driver's licenses issued to persons age 16 and 17 will continue to expire at age 20. The length of time that a driver's license is valid may be affected if you are only temporarily authorized by the federal government to be in the U.S. The validity period for driver's licenses issued to persons registered as sex offenders will be no more than five years.

A motorcycle learner's permit allows you to operate a motorcycle after 4 a.m. and before midnight. You must wear an approved helmet. You may operate the motorcycle only when supervised by a person licensed to operate a motorcycle and who is:

At least age 21 or older
Alert and able to assist you
Providing immediate supervision

Exception: Your parent, legal guardian or sibling may supervise you if they are licensed to operate a motorcycle and are age 18 or older. No one, other than the operator, can be on the motorcycle. If you are under age 19, you must hold the motorcycle learner's permit for at least nine months. If you are under 19 years old you will need to hold a motorcycle learner's permit for nine months.

If you already hold a valid Virginia driver’s license and have not previously held a Class M designation or a motorcycle driver’s license, you may add a Class M designation, which will allow you to also operate a motorcycle. To receive this designation, you must pass the motorcycle knowledge and road skills tests and hold a motorcycle learner’s permit for 30 days. If you are under 19 you will need to hold a motorcycle learner’s permit for 9 months. .

The motorcycle designation costs $2 per year. Your designation is valid for the same periods of time as your driver’s license. When you renew your driver’s license, remember to renew your Class M designation also. If you do not hold a driver’s license, you may obtain a driver’s license that allows you to operate only a motorcycle. The motorcycle-only driver's license costs $6.00 per year.

Virginia Rider Training Program

If you have proof of successfully completing the Virginia Rider Training Program prior to July 1, 2007, you are exempt from holding the motorcycle learner's permit for 30 days and from taking the motorcycle road skills test for a period of two years from completion date.

If you have proof of successfully completing the Virginia Rider Training Program on or after July 1, 2007, you are exempt from holding the motorcycle learner's permit for 30 days and from taking the motorcycle knowledge exam and the motorcycle road skills test for a period of one year from completion date. If you are age 19 or older, you can operate a motorcycle unaccompanied for a period of 30 days from the course completion. You must carry your Virginia driver’s license and the Virginia Rider Training Program completion certificate. To operate a motorcycle unaccompanied after 30 days, you must visit a DMV customer service center to have the motorcycle designation added to your driver’s license.

If you are under age 19, you must hold a motorcycle learner's permit for at least nine months regardless of the date the Virginia Rider Training Program is completed.

Virginia Rider Training Program classes are offered at many locations in Virginia.

The motorcycle designation costs $2 per year. Your designation is valid for the same period of time as your driver's license. When you renew your driver's license, remember to renew your Class M designation also. If you do not hold a driver's license, you may obtain a driver's license that allows you to operate only a motorcycle. The motorcycle-only driver's license costs $6 per year and is valid for five years.

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