Massachusetts motorcycle drivers can earn a license in three steps: a learner's permit, a road test, and a Class M driver’s license. Those under 18 also have to hold a junior operator license (JOL) for a year and a half.
Maybe you’re tired of paying Massachusetts car insurance costs
or maybe you just want to feel the wind in your hair. Whatever, the reason, a motorcycle is a fun and affordable alternative to driving around the commonwealth, especially when the weather is sunny. Here with everything you need to know about how to get a motorcycle license in Massachusetts is Jerry
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Start earning nowDo you need a license to operate a motorcycle in Massachusetts?
Yes, Massachusetts General Law (Ch. 90 § 8
) requires any driver of a motor vehicle with no more than three wheels on the ground to carry a motorcycle license. Also known as a Class M license, it’s separate from a Class D license, which is required to operate a car and has its own Massachusetts Driver’s License requirements
and fees. In most cases, they’re bundled together into one Class D/M license card. The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) issues all licenses and permits. It can take up to three stages (and three different pieces of ID) to get a Class M driver's license.
A Class M learner’s permit
A Junior Operator License (JOL)
A Class M driver’s license (or motorcycle endorsement on an existing driver’s license)
You must be at least 16 years old to drive a motorcycle in Massachusetts and you can’t use an out-of-state learner’s permit. While you can use an out-of-state Class M driver's license to get around, the RMV recommends converting it to a Massachusetts driver's license within 30 days of moving to the Commonwealth.
How to get a Class M learner’s permit in Massachusetts
You can begin learning the rules of the road on a motorcycle with a Class M learner's permit. To obtain a learner's permit, you must:
Be at least 16 years of age
Be a resident of Massachusetts
Not hold a driver’s license or learner’s permit from any other state
Be clear of any outstanding obligations to any other state (ie. fines, child support payments, etc.)
There are two types of learner’s permits you can apply for: a Massachusetts REAL ID permit that can be used to board domestic flights, and a standard permit that cannot. Standard permits require three pieces of ID, while REAL ID permits require four.
Here are the steps you need to take to get your learner's permit:
Pay the $30 learner’s permit application fee.
Pass the learner’s permit exam.
To pass the learner's permit exam, you must answer 18 of the 25 questions correctly. You’ll have 25 minutes. Study the Motorcycle Manual
ahead of time to get familiar with topics like the rules of the road, Massachusetts DUI laws
, and Junior Operator laws. If you fail, you can retake the as many times as necessary for another $30.
Additionally, the RMV offers alternate exam options
, including accommodations for persons with disabilities, alternative languages, and oral exams. Congrats on getting your Class M learner's permit! Now you can drive between sunrise and sunset, but you can't carry passengers and should always carry your permit. If you don't take the Class M road test within two years, you'll have to reapply for a learner's permit.
If you’re under 18
If you're under 18, you'll need written consent
to apply for a motorcycle learner’s permit. A parent, legal guardian, member of the Department of Children and Families, or the headmaster of your boarding school must sign your license application. Additionally, if they're not your parents, they'll have to show proof of authority before you take the written test. How to get a Junior Operator License (JOL) in Massachusetts
Following a successful Class M road test, you’ll earn a Class M driver's license unless you’re under 18, in which case you’ll receive a Junior Operator’s License (JOL). A JOL has more requirements than a Class M driver’s license.
To get a JOL, you’ll need to:
Maintain a clean driving record for at least six consecutive months while holding a Class M learner's permit.
Pass a Class M road test.
A JOL has more restrictions than a Class M driver’s license
, but more freedom than a learner’s permit. Within six months of receiving a JOL, you cannot carry any unrelated passengers under 18. However, you’re driving hours are extended to any time outside of 12:30 AM to 5:00 AM, and if you have a parent or guardian with you, you can drive all night You can also drive out-of-state with a JOL.JOL holders are also subject to "enhanced penalties
" for any criminal violations, according to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). If your JOL is suspended, you won’t be eligible for a hardship license as in the usual Massachusetts driver’s license reinstatement
rules. How to take a Class M road test and get a Class M driver’s license or a motorcycle endorsement in Massachusetts
A Class M road test
is the final requirement for a Class M driver's license or motorcycle endorsement (if you're over 18) or a JOL (if you're under 18). In the road test, you’ll be evaluated on your driving skills, which include crossing intersections, driving in traffic, and going up and down hills. You'll also need to show the RMV examiner that you know how to use your bike’s most important safety features. To book and pass a road test, you’ll need to:
Follow the RMV examiner’s instructions to complete the test.
If you fail the Class M road test, you must wait two weeks before trying again. You're limited to six road tests per year, and after failing two of them, you're required to take another MREP basic rider course. If you’re over 18, you don’t need to pass a Class M road test if you take a MREP basic rider course.
Congratulations on passing the Class M road test! You'll use your learner's permit until you get your official license in the mail. There's a $15 fee for adding a motorcycle endorsement to your existing Massachusetts driver's license (if you have one).
If you’re under 18
If you’re under 18, you’ll get a JOL after passing the Class M road test, provided you met all the other requirements. One such requirement is that you hold onto your learner’s permit for at least six months. As a result, you can take the test as early as 16 and six months.
That means you have up to 1.5 years until your JOL automatically turns into a Class M driver’s license when you turn 18.
How to save on car and motorcycle insurance in Massachusetts
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