How To Get a Rhode Island Motorcycle License
You must pass a safety training course before you can get a Rhode Island motorcycle license or endorsement. Here’s how.
Written by Ethan Moser
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
In order to get a motorcycle license in Rhode Island, you’ll have to complete a motorcycle education course at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) with a curriculum built around the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s (MSF) Basic RiderCourse.
Are you dying to hit the road on the Harley of your dreams? Well, in Rhode Island you can get your hands on a motorcycle license as young as 16 years old in just a few short steps!
The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (RI DMV) provides prospective motorcycle drivers with a simple set of requirements they need to complete in order to apply for and receive a motorcycle license—just take a motorcycle safety course, present the necessary documentation, and go 30 days without incident on your motorcycle permit and you’ll be a fully-licensed motorcycle driver in no time!
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Do you need a license to operate a motorcycle in Rhode Island?
Yes—if you want to get behind the handlebars of a two- or three-wheeled motorcycle in Rhode Island, you’ll have to apply for a motorcycle endorsement that will be added to your Rhode Island driver’s license.
To even begin the process of applying for your RI motorcycle endorsement, you’ll need to be 16 years old and already hold either a provision RI driver’s license or a full license.
How to add a motorcycle endorsement to your Rhode Island driver’s license
To add Motorcycle Endorsement to your standard Rhode Island driver’s license, there are a few things you’ll need to do first. In addition to being over 16 years old and holding a provisional or standard license, prospective motorcycle operators will need to enroll in and pass a motorcycle safety course.
In Rhode Island, all motorcycle safety courses are conducted by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), using a curriculum based on the nationally-recognized Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s (MSF) Basic RiderCourse (BRC). This curriculum teaches drivers important information, including, but not limited to:
- How to choose the best protective gear
- How to make smooth turns and stops
- How to deal with motorcycle emergencies
Completion of the CCRI course is the only way for Rhode Island drivers to add a motorcycle endorsement to their standard driver's license.
Once drivers have completed the CCRI safety course, they’ll need to visit their local Rhode Island DMV office and provide the following documentation to apply for their motorcycle permit:
- A valid provisional or standard RI license
- CCRI course completion certificate
- A completed Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit (Form LI-1)
- A $27.50 motorcycle permit fee (valid for 18 months)
With your permit, you’ll need to practice riding for at least 30 days before you can return to the DMV and apply for your full Motorcycle Endorsement. While driving with a permit, you may not
- Use limited-access highways
- Ride without a licensed supervisor over 18 years old
- Carry passengers
If you manage to go 30 days on your permit without incident, you are free to return to the RI DMV to apply for your full motorcycle endorsement, which is accompanied by an additional fee of $27.50. The following endorsements are available for motorcycle drivers:
- “M” Endorsement, no restrictions: Licensee is able to operate both two- and three-wheeled motorcycles
- “M” Endorsement, “Q” restriction: Licensee is able to operate only two-wheeled motorcycles
- “M” Endorsement, “W” restriction: Licensee is able to operate only three-wheel motorcycles
Once your endorsement is finalized and added to your Rhode Island driver’s license, it will not expire until the same date that your standard license is set to expire.
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How to save on car and motorcycle insurance in Rhode Island
Car and motorcycle insurance in Rhode Island can be expensive, especially if you’re just buying the first policy you’re offered.
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FAQs
Is there a motorcycle safety course in Rhode Island?
Yes, in order to get a motorcycle endorsement added to your driver’s license in Rhode Island, you’ll need to complete a motorcycle safety course conducted by the Community College of Rhode Island.
What happens if you drive a motorcycle without a license in Rhode Island?
Driving a motorcycle with an engine over 50 ccs in Rhode Island without a valid license can result in fines ranging from $100 to $500 and a three-month license suspension for a first offense. On subsequent offenses, these fines, suspension, and even jail time can become even more severe.
Can you drive a motorcycle without insurance in Rhode Island?
No—motorcycle insurance is mandatory under Rhode Island state law.
