A Beginner's Guide To Getting A Motorcycle License

Before you can hit the open road, you will need to obtain a motorcycle license. This handy certification allows you to legally operate a motorcycle and ensures you know the basics to safe riding. Getting a motorcycle license isn't difficult, but the process can be confusing. That's why we created the following guide to getting a motorcycle license.

If you have any questions or want to shop motorcycles for sale, talk to the experts at Doc's Harley-Davidson. Our dealership is based in Kirkwood, Missouri, and we also proudly serve those in St. Louis and St. Charles.

Learn How To Ride A Motorcycle

The first step is to take a training course. The instructor will teach you the basics of riding, equipping you for safe and successful trips. They can also help you catch errors early on...before they become habit and muscle memory. You will walk away understanding how the parts of your motorcycle work, the relevant local laws about riding, and the best practices for operating a bike. You may even walk away with a new riding buddy!

Get A Permit

Once you've gained the foundational skills, the next step is to get a permit. This will allow you to legally ride around the city and build your riding experience before you apply for the motorcycle license. Be sure to pay close attention to the permit's expiration date! It will likely be much sooner than a motorcycle license expiration.

The permit will likely come with some restrictions. In Missouri, for example, permit holders are not able to have passengers and can only drive during daylight hours. Be sure you fully understand what you can and cannot do with your permit. Remember that these rules are there for a reason. There are certain activities that are inherently riskier and are better left to more experienced riders.

Apply For The License

Once you've learned the basics and practiced them, you are ready to send in your application! You will likely need to pay a fee and take some tests. These tests are usually a vision test, a written exam, and a riding test. It's a similar experience to getting your vehicle license, just with a motorcycle instead.

You should be able to easily access the rules of the road either in a physical pamphlet from the DMV or an online PDF. Be sure to read through it and refresh your memory, especially if it's been some time since you took the training course. It'd be a shame to have to do the application all over again because you missed one too many questions!

In the state of Missouri, the on-site motorcycle skills test may test:

• Your ability to accelerate, brake, and turn safely
• Your skills at adjusting speed and position in relation to the current traffic situation
• Your ability to stop, turn, and swerve suddenly
• Your ability to choose the right speed to safely perform tasks
• Your knowledge of your motorcycle and your riding limits

These tests are designed to verify that you can safely operate a motorcycle. The more you practice these skills, the easier the test will be. It also doesn’t hurt to scope out the area around the DMV, getting a bit more familiar with the surroundings and traffic patterns.

We hope you found this guide to getting a motorcycle license helpful. For more advice or to shop motorcycles for sale, chat with the friendly staff at Doc's Harley-Davidson. It's always a party at St. Louis' premier dealer! We love talking about motorcycles with our clients, whether it's giving them riding tips or helping them find their dream bike. Explore our inventory online or visit us in Kirkwood, Missouri. We also proudly serve those in St. Charles and St. Louis, Missouri.