Georgia Motorcycle License

Georgia is an excellent state for motorcycle enthusiasts, with beautiful countryside, a plethora of scenic roads, and the ability to ride all year (with the proper riding gear). However, like nearly every other state, Georgia requires riders to have a motorcycle license. Obtaining your Georgia motorcycle license – or Class M license – is relatively simple.

Georgia Class M License

To legally ride a motorcycle in Georgia, you must first obtain a Class M license or a Class M Instructional Permit (also called an MP). This license requirement applies to any two or three-wheeled vehicle with a saddle controlled by handlebars rather than a steering wheel. This applies to all motorized vehicles that meet these criteria, including scooters, motorbikes, and mini-bikes with engines of 51cc or greater.

Eligibility

Riders in Georgia must meet certain requirements before being issued a motorcycle license. You must be at least 17 years old to meet state requirements. If you are under 18, you must have a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult sign the Form for Driver's License/ID/Permit and fill out the Responsible Adult Affidavit. In addition, applicants under the age of 18 must have a Certificate of School Enrollment. Furthermore, all applicants for a motorcycle license must pass the required motorcycle license test. These tests include a special road signs test, a road rules test, and a motorcycle riding test. This test requirement will be waived if you complete a motorcycle basic rider course within ninety (90) days of submitting your license application. Finally, all candidates must pass a vision exam; however, if you took a vision test within a year of applying for your motorcycle license as part of the requirements for a separate operator's license in Georgia.

Requirements

Before a motorcycle license can be issued, a few basic requirements must be met. Individuals must be at least 16 years old and a citizen or legal resident of the United States. Applicants will be required to submit certain documents, which may include all or some of the following:
  • Social Security card
  • Original birth certificate
  • Passport
  • Legal documents showing the name change
  • Military ID card
  • Property tax records
After all of the documents have been verified, the applicant will be subjected to a vision screening unless they have already passed one to obtain another Georgia driver's license within the previous year. Unless one is already on file, a thumbprint will be taken. Minors in Georgia must take additional steps to obtain a permit or motorcycle license, which include:
  • Obtaining written parental permission
  • Completing a 30-hour Georgia driver's education course
  • Finishing a certified Georgia Behind the Wheel Program if age 16
  • Submitting a form DS-1, Certificate of Attendance, showing proof of school enrollment (including homeschooling). A high school diploma or GED can be submitted instead of this form if applicable.

How To Get a Motorcycle License in Georgia

There are two ways to obtain a motorcycle license in Georgia. The first and most popular option is to enroll in a Motorcycle Safety Program Course. The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program (GMSP) provides professional training in motorcycle handling and a 90-day Motorcycle License Test Waiver if you complete the course. For experienced riders who do not already have a license, the other option is to apply directly at the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) Customer Service Center. To obtain a Georgia motorcycle license in this manner, you must pass a knowledge test and motorcycle skills test on a motorcycle provided by you. This method, like the first, requires you to pass a vision test to obtain a Georgia motorcycle license. When you have completed all of the license requirements, DDS will issue you a new driver's license with the motorcycle endorsement. This designation on your driver's license informs law enforcement that you completed the necessary steps to obtain a motorcycle license in Georgia and are authorized to operate your motorcycle.

Motorcycle Safety Program Basic Course

Residents of Georgia may also choose to take a Motorcycle Safety Program Basic Course to expedite obtaining a motorcycle license. After completing this course, applicants can reduce the time required for a permit to only 90 days. Completing the program also eliminates the need to take the Department of Driver Services' formal driving test (DDS). The course includes five hours of classroom instruction and ten hours of riding instruction spread out over several sessions.

Driving Exam

Those who do not complete a safety course must take a DDS-administered driving exam. Applicants must provide their motorcycle and safety equipment for testing. An examiner from the Department of Driver Services will thoroughly inspect the equipment before allowing it to take the test. Tests must be scheduled in advance and will not be given if it is raining. After passing the exam, a motorcycle permit will be issued. To obtain a motorcycle license in Georgia, residents must hold this permit for at least six months. The permit is valid for a maximum of two years before it must be renewed. Riders with a Georgia motorcycle permit will be able to hone their skills under certain conditions. Permit holders are not permitted to ride on the highway, operate at night, or transport other passengers.

Driver's License Cost

A motorcycle license in Georgia is very affordable, with a five-year license costing only $20 and a ten-year license costing $35. This fee is in addition to any other driver's license fees an individual may have. Obtaining a motorcycle permit will initially cost $10, which will not be applied toward the cost of a license. Obtaining a motorcycle license in Georgia is not an easy task, especially for those under 18. Individuals will only need to pass a vision screening and pay the required fee once the process is completed. As a result, a rider's efforts will be rewarded with years of enjoyment.