Comprehensive Guide For Motorcycle License in Florida

Do you dream of exploring Florida on a motorcycle and feeling the cool air in your hair? Well, you are not alone. With more than 700,000 registered motorcyclists, Florida is the second most famous state with bikers. This makes sense, especially with its beautiful sites and the year-round sunshine. Plus, there is nothing more amazing than riding to Florida panhandle's white-sand beaches to escape the summer heat.

Florida Motorcycle License Requirements

To drive a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with an engine capacity greater than 50cc in Florida, you must first obtain the necessary license. There are two sorts of motorcycle licenses in Florida: motorcycle license endorsements and motorcycle-only licenses. If you don't have one of these and are riding a motorcycle, you could face a fine and break the law. The sole distinction between these licenses is whether or not you can drive a car. You'll be able to drive a car and ride a motorcycle in Florida if you have a motorcycle license endorsement. You will be unable to drive a car if you only have a motorcycle license. To earn your motorbike license endorsement, you must perform the following:
  • Valid Florida Class E driver's license.
  • Complete the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or the Basic Rider Course updated (BRCu)
  • Present a valid ID and documentation of passing the BRC or BRCu at a driving license or tax collector office.
  • Pay your license fees.
To earn a motorcycle-only license, you must first:
  • You must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner's license for one year with no traffic violations.
  • Pass the knowledge test for a Class E driver's license.
  • Completing either the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or the Basic Rider Course Updated (BRCu) following FL 322.12 is required.
  • Present a valid ID and documentation of passing the BRC or BRCu at a driving license or tax collector office.
  • Pay your license fees.

Florida Motorcycle License

Beginning July 1, 2008, the State of Florida requires new motorcyclists (age 16 and up) to take and pass the Basic Rider Course (BRC) through the Florida Rider Training Program before they can obtain a "Motorcycle Only" License or have the Motorcycle Endorsement added to their current Drivers License. When you successfully finish the Basic Rider Course, the sponsor will electronically submit the results to the DMV. In Florida, there are two types of motorcycle licenses. If you want to ride a two or three-wheel motorbike with an engine larger than 50cc, you must have one of the following.

How to Get Your Motorcycle License in Florida

To proceed with motorcycle-only licensure in Florida, you must first receive your learner's permit and keep it for one year with no traffic violations. You must already have your learner's permit and driver's license to apply for a Florida motorcycle license, often known as the motorcycle endorsement. So, if you already have a valid Class E Florida driver's license, this is already checked off your list. To begin obtaining a learner's permit in Florida, you must be at least 15 years old. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a signed and notarized parental consent form. In Florida, you must pass a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course, as well as a vision and hearing test and the Class E Knowledge Exam. The Class E exam is a 50-question multiple-choice exam with a passing score of 80% or higher. You will also need proof of identity, a social security number, and proof of Florida residency. Learn which documents you should bring by clicking here.

Step 1: Learner's Permit

If you haven't already, you'll need to start working on your learner permit. You must first complete the Florida Drug and Alcohol Course to obtain your learner's permit. Before going to the DHSMV, make sure you have all of your required papers and that you have reported the completion of your Florida Drug and Alcohol course. You'll also be required to do a hearing and vision exam when you arrive, so bring your contacts or spectacles if you wear them!

Step 2: Pass The Exam

Following that, you'll take the written Florida DMV test. This can be done at the DHSMV or online through state-approved providers. We understand that the phrase "test" seems frightening, but it's only 50 multiple-choice questions, so don't worry. There are also many test prep tools and practice tests available online to ensure you're prepared for any curveballs.

Step 3: Pass the Basic Rider Course

Completing the Basic Rider Course (BRC) is one of the final steps toward obtaining a motorcycle driver's license. The Basic Rider Course (BRC) is a motorcycle driver training course required by the Florida DMV. During the BRC, you'll finally be allowed to hop on your bike and practice riding and motorcycle safety — the moment you've been waiting for! You'll receive classroom teaching on general best practices, highway safety, and anything else you'll need to know as a beginner motorcycle rider during the course.

Step 4: Submit Your Documentation and Pay the Fee

After completing the basic riders' course, you can acquire your license to the DMV. However, be certain that you bring the proper identity documents. Your records of passing the BRC will already be on file with the DMV. However, it's always a good idea to keep a copy of your certification on hand just in case. You must first pay the charge at the DMV offices you visit to obtain your license. In Florida, a motorcycle-only license costs $48 plus an additional $6.25 at the municipal tax collecting agencies.

Motorcycle-Only License

To obtain a Motorcycle-Only License, you must be at least 16 years old and have held a Learners Permit for at least one year with no traffic violations. You do not need to have held a learner's permit if you are 18 or older. To obtain a driver's license, you must pass the normal class E operators license test and finish the Basic Riders Course.

How to Get a Motorcycle-Only License

If you don't have a conventional driver's license, you'll have to go through some additional hoops to obtain a motorcycle-only license. In general, these are the same processes you would follow to obtain a Class E license as a new driver, as the state is committed to ensuring that all of its drivers are knowledgeable about traffic and safety rules. To begin the procedure, you must be at least 15 years old, and you will not be able to obtain your official motorcycle-only license until you are 16. Here's what you should do first:
  • If you are under 18, have your parents sign and notarize a parental consent form on your behalf.
  • The Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course is required.
  • Pass the Knowledge Exam for Class E.
  • Collect and provide appropriate documents to prove your identification, Social Security number, and current residence.
  • At the license site, you must pass an eye and ear exam.
Once you've obtained your learner's permit by following the processes outlined above, you're ready to move on to the motorcycle licensing process. These are the same steps as getting a motorbike endorsement:
  • Take a motorcycle skills course that has been approved.
  • Gather all of your documentation, including identification and fees.
  • Go to your local driver's license office.

Florida Motorcycle Endorsement

If you already have a Florida driver's license, you can obtain a Motorcycle Endorsement added to it. To receive your Motorcycle Endorsement, you must confirm completing the Florida Rider Program.

How to Get a Motorcycle Endorsement in Florida

A motorbike endorsement is another piece of legal documentation required to travel the state's highways. However, you must already hold a Class E driver's license to obtain an endorsement. Except for Alabama, Florida can reciprocate a license with a motorcycle endorsement from any other state. As a result, you will not be required to attend a motorcycle course to ride your bike in Florida. If the rider provides the BRC completion card, Florida can provide an Alabama license reciprocal. It would be best if you were prepared to complete the following to acquire your motorbike endorsement:

Step 1: Get a Valid Class E Driver's License

You must have a valid class E license if you already drive in Florida. In Florida, the normal non-commercial license is a class E license. You can also apply for an endorsement if you have a valid class C, B, or A commercial license. If you hold a driver's license from another state and have taken the BRC, you can ask for an endorsement.

Step 2: Motorcycle Skills Course

The BRC course is required in most American states, including Florida, for anyone seeking an endorsement. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is normally in charge of developing and updating the course. You can take the BRCu or BRC exactly like a motorcycle-only license application. These classes are meant to teach riders how to deal with any situation while riding. After all, even though the traffic laws are the same, driving a car is not the same as riding a motorbike. As a result, before starting with the application, you must first master all of the safety precautions related to riding a motorcycle.

Step 3: Pay Your Fees

After finishing the motorcycle skills course, take all necessary documentation to the DMV offices. You will require the following items:
  • Check or cash for the endorsement: $48 for license renewal, $7 for endorsement, and an additional $25 at tax-collecting offices.
  • A BRCu or BRC course certification from the prior calendar year
  • Bring your current class E driver's license as a legitimate form of identification.
Once you've gathered all the required documentation, you can go to any licensing office and get your endorsement. Many tax-collecting offices can also provide motorbike endorsements. Remember that an endorsement can last a lifetime. As a result, the only thing you'll need to renew every year is your basic driver's license.