Last Updated on: 14th April 2023, 03:42 pm
Are you ready to plan your cross-country motorcycle trip? Or are you simply looking for a cheaper way to commute for work? No matter what you plan on doing, you’ll need to invest in your Arizona motorcycle license before you make any plans to own a motorbike.
Applying for a motorcycle license in Arizona involves a few steps, but it isn’t difficult. Once you get your Arizona license, it won’t expire until you are 65 years old.
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Arizona Motorcycle License Requirements
In order to get a Class M motorcycle license in Arizona, there are a few steps you must go through. (Along with finding out how to get an Arizona motorcycle license, you can also get a permit as well. While a permit is faster and easier to get, it comes with more restrictions – see below)
- You must be at least 16 years old.
- If you are under the age of 18, you must have had a valid instruction permit for at least six months. Additionally, you must pass an MVD motorcycle driver’s education program. Instead of a driver’s education program, you can also choose to have your parent or guardian certify that you have completed at least 30 hours of motorcycle riding in preparation.
- You must pass a written basic knowledge test.
- All applicants must pass a skills test to show they can ride a motorcycle safely.
Before you can get your license, you will also have to pay the licensing fee. This fee varies based on your age.
- 16 to 39 years old: $25
- 40 to 44 years old: $20
- 45 to 49 years old: $15
- 50 years old and up: $10
If you want only an instruction permit, it will cost $7. A motorcycle endorsement without a driver’s license is also only $7.
How to Get a Motorcycle License in Arizona
Before you can get your Arizona motorcycle license, you may need to get your driving permit first. If you are over the age of 18, you don’t have to get a permit before getting a motorcycle license. No matter what your age is, you will have to get your regular driver’s license before you can officially get your motorcycle license in Arizona.
Get Your Arizona Motorcycle Learner’s Permit
If you want to get the instruction permit, you must be at least 15.5 years old. You must pass the written test and the vision test. If you don’t have a regular driver’s license or permit already, you will also need to take a written driving test.
To get your instruction permit, you must pay a fee of $7. Your permit will be valid for seven months, and you can renew it once in 24 months. During this time, you can get 30 hours of driving time or take an MVD-approved motorcycle training course.
If you only have a permit and don’t have an Arizona motorcycle driver’s license, you have to deal with certain limitations like not being able to drive during the evening and night time when there isn’t enough light to see 500 feet in front of you. You also aren’t allowed to carry passengers or drive on interstate highways and freeways. Finally, you must drive under the visual supervision of a licensed driver until you get your Arizona motorcycle license.
Complete the Arizona Motorcycle License Application
If you are over the age of 18 years old, you can skip some of the steps to getting a motorcycle license in Arizona listed previously. Instead, you can immediately fill out an application for a motorcycle license through the Arizona Department of Transportation website. Depending on your current situation, you will need to take the following steps to get your motorcycle endorsement.
- Class D licenses: A class D is the basic, normal driver’s license. If you are 18 and have a driver’s license, you simply have to take a motorcycle test, go to a training course, and pay a fee to get your motorcycle endorsement.
- Age 16 to 18: Between the ages of 16 to 18, you will need to get a permit and have it for at least six months before you apply for your license. Then, you will need to take a training course or have your parents certify 30 hours of drive time.
- Over 18: If you are over 18 and applying for your first instruction permit or license, you must take a written test for a standard driver’s license and pass your motorcycle operator test as well.
Everyone must take a motorcycle training course and pass a skills test to get their motorcycle endorsement. The training course must be approved by the Department of Transportation. Since the Arizona MVD doesn’t offer the training course, you’ll want to take a class with a local company such as:
If you are under 18, you can forego the training requirement by getting your parents or guardians to certify you have practiced driving for at least 30 hours.
Regardless of age, all motorcycle license applicants must complete a Motor Vehicle Department-approved motorcycle driver education program. Likewise, all applicants must complete a skills test and a motorcycle training course, so be sure to get in your riding practice.
Pass the Arizona Motorcycle License Written Exam
In order to get your Arizona motorcycle license, you must pass the written test. To do this, you can study the information included in the Motorcycle Operator Manual. After paying the test fee, you are given three chances to pass the written test within a three-month window.
The test can be taken in Spanish and English. If you need help reading the test or want an interpreter, the state will help.
Pass the Arizona Motorcycle License Driving Test
If you want your motorcycle license in Arizona, you will have to take a motorcycle skills test. This test takes about 10 to 15 minutes and involves showing your abilities to maneuver your motorcycle. The test will occur in a closed, off-street environment.
Sometimes, you can avoid taking this test if you have an out-of-state license, and the previous state already required a similar test. To prepare for the test, you can check out the skills test instructions provided by the state of Arizona.
Arizona Motorcycle License FAQ
How old do you have to be to get a motorcycle license in Arizona?
One of the biggest Arizona motorcycle license requirements is age. You can’t get a license until you are at least 16 years old. However, you can get an instruction permit when you are 15 years 6 months old.
How much is it to get a motorcycle license in Arizona?
Technically, the motorcycle endorsement is only $7. Since you need a driver’s license, you will have to spend more than this though.
Known as a class D license, a standard driver’s license costs $25 if you are between the ages of 16 and 39. If you are 40 to 44, you’ll pay $20. While 45- to 49-year-old adults pay $15, people who are older than 50 years old will only have to pay $10.
You will have to pay $7 to get an instruction permit if you need one.
What is the difference between an Arizona motorcycle license and a three-wheel license?
If you have a three-wheeled vehicle, you can get a specific endorsement for driving it. However, a three-wheel license will only allow you to drive a three-wheeled vehicle. By getting a standard motorcycle license in Arizona, you can drive two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles.
Enjoy Riding with Your New Arizona Motorcycle License
Once you have an Arizona motorcycle license, you can begin planning your next grand adventure. All you have to do is study the motorcycle handbook and start your motorcycle training course. Once you finish these steps, you can pay your fee, take a written test, and pass your skills test to get your motorcycle license in Arizona.
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