How To Get an Arkansas Motorcycle License
You have to pass a road test to get a motorcycle operator license in Arkansas. This guide will help you prepare.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
If you want to get your motorcycle operator license in
Arkansas
, you’ll need to be at least 16 years old. You have to pass a written exam and a road test.Arkansas is a favorite destination for motorcyclists thanks to its scenic byways through the Ozark Mountains and along the Bull River. Plenty of Arkansas’s historic towns and tourist destinations offer bike fests and motorcycle shows throughout the year.
To get a motorcycle license in Arkansas, you must meet the requirements of the state’s Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). This means you’ll need to be at least 16 years old, and you’ll have to take and pass a written exam and road test. Once licensed, you can legally operate a motorcycle or motorized tricycle with a 250cc or greater motor.
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Do you need a license to operate a motorcycle in Arkansas?
You need a special license to operate any motorized vehicle with three or fewer wheels on the ground in Arkansas.
A Class M license is for anyone 16 or older who wishes to operate a motorcycle. A Class MD license is available for anyone ages 14 to 16 who wants to operate something with 250cc of displacement or less, such as a dirt bike.
How to add a motorcycle endorsement to your Arkansas driver’s license
Once you’ve acquired your Arkansas driver’s license, you can add a motorcycle license by passing a written exam and a road test.
The state does not require motorcyclists to complete any specific training program—however, courses are available to help riders learn the rules of the road on a bike.
You can also brush up by reading the
DFA’s driver’s manual
. There’s not a specific manual produced by the state for motorcyclists, but the regular Arkansas driver’s license study guide has an entire section dedicated to motorcycles. If you already have a valid Arkansas Class D license, you can add a motorcycle license simply by passing the vision test, motorcycle knowledge exam, and motorcycle skills exam. Drivers who don’t already have a Class D driver’s license will have to take the three exams above, plus a driver’s license knowledge exam.
Once finished with the exam portion of your licensing, motorcyclists older than 18 can pay a $40 fee to the Arkansas DFA Driver Control Office, and will receive a Class M license that’s good for 8 years.
Motorcyclists younger than 18 will also have to present a birth certificate, signed permission from parents or guardians, and proof of school attendance or proof of school completion.
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How to get a youth license for smaller bikes
If you want your child to legally ride a smaller cycle, such as a dirt bike or a scooter, they’ll need a Class MD license. They’ll need to pass a vision test, motorcycle knowledge exam, and a standard driver’s license knowledge exam. You’ll also need to accompany your child to the DFA Driver Control Office to sign the license application as a parent or guardian.
Make sure to bring your child’s birth certificate and documentation of school attendance. The license is good for one year and can be extended for one year. The fee is prorated.
How to save on car and motorcycle insurance in Arkansas
Arkansas is a great place to hit the open road on a bike, but don’t expect to save too much on your insurance if you exclusively use a motorcycle.
Some states don’t require motorcycle insurance, but Arkansas is not among them. In Arkansas, you have to have the same amount of coverage as regular car insurance for your motorcycle. That means, your motorcycle insurance must have at least the
state minimum insurance
.The good news is, motorcycles are cheaper to insure than cars! If you have a car back home in the garage in addition to your bike,
Jerry
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car insurance quotes
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FAQs
Do you have to have motorcycle insurance in Arkansas?
You do need to get motorcycle insurance before you can legally operate one in Arkansas. Just like the state’s minimum car insurance, you must have $25,000 in bodily injury insurance per person, $50,000 in bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 in property damage insurance.
How long is your motorcycle license good for in Arkansas?
If you get a Class M motorcycle license in Arkansas, it will be valid for up to eight years, and you can renew it as soon as one year before the expiration date.
