You’ll need a vision screening, skills exam, and rules of the road test to get your Class M Tennessee motorcycle license.
If you feel the call of the open road and want to experience it with the wind at your back and a bike between your knees, you’re not alone. Tennessee is home to some of the twistiest and most fun roads to ride a motorcycle on in the entire country, making it popular with chopper enthusiasts all across the nation. If you’re a resident of Tennessee, you need a special license before you can legally operate your motorcycle.
You’ll need a Class M Tennessee driver’s license before you can rattle off into the sunset, and the licensed insurance broker
app Jerry
has all the details you need on how to get one. We’ll talk about motorcycle license details plus how to save on your Tennessee car insurance costs
. Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning nowDo you need a license to operate a motorcycle in Tennessee?
Yes. To operate a motorcycle or scooter in Tennessee, you will need a Class M driver’s license and to be at least 16 years of age.
How to get a Class M secondary Tennessee driver’s license
Instead of getting an endorsement on your existing driver’s license, you need to get a secondary license for operating motorcycles in Tennessee. If you already hold a valid driver’s license in any class, you’ll need to get Class M certification in Tennessee before you cut back to two or three wheels.
It can be a somewhat time-consuming process that involves a Motorcycle Rider Education Program
(MREP), a vision test, a skills exam, and other components. You’ll need to read the Tennessee Motorcycle Operator Manual
and visit a full-service Driver Services Center
. If you get a certificate of completion from a Certified Tennessee MREP (valid for one year after the date of issuance), the skills portion of your licensing exam will be waived. You’ll still need to complete the other portions of the test, which include:
Motorcycle rules of the road test
Motorcycle pre-trip inspection
Motorcycle skills/road test (waived if you have a certificate from an MREP)
The Class M license is valid for eight years from the date of issuance. After that, you’ll have to get it renewed by following the same steps as you did when you first applied for it.
Your license will be awarded to you based on what type of vehicle you tested on. A Class M license is given for motorcycles. If you test on a motor-driven cycle, also known as a scooter, you’ll be granted a Class M-Limited license. Note that you cannot test for a primary or secondary Class M license on an off-road vehicle.
You’ll need to pay all the associated fees to get your motorcycle license in Tennessee. The cost is $3.25 per year for a motorcycle license and $3.25 per year for a standard driver’s license. Each can be renewed for up to eight years. If you have both licenses, you’ll need to pay $52.
You also need to bring documentation of your identity. You will need:
Proof of any name changes
Proof of full Social Security number (W2, pay stub, etc)
To get a REAL ID, you will need to bring additional documentation
. Once you’ve completed your training, passed all your exams, paid your fees, and provided your documentation, you’re ready for your Class M driver’s license. Great job!
How to get a motorcycle-only Class M license in Tennessee
If you don’t already hold a driver’s license in Tennessee, there are additional steps to getting your primary Class M license.
In addition to all of the steps we mentioned above, you will also need to take the regular rules of the road test that is given to drivers applying for standard driver’s licenses. This test does not take the place of the motorcycle rules of the road test.
How to save on car and motorcycle insurance in Tennessee
Car insurance
in Tennessee is a little lower than the national average, which is good news if you’re planning to add a motorcycle to your garage. Motorcycle insurance might be less expensive than car insurance, but it’s still an additional cost.To help you save on your comprehensive vehicle budget, the licensed broker
and car insurance comparison shopping app Jerry
is here with tips on saving on car insurance costs. The best way to save on your insurance costs is to comparison shop, and it’s never been easier to do it than with the Jerry app. In less than two minutes, you could be browsing multiple competitive quotes from 55+ insurance companies across the nation.
The Jerry team is standing by to help you with the paperwork and cancelling your old policy. Switching over is barely a blip on your radar, leaving you with more mental focus for the road ahead—and savings that average $800 per year or more!
4.717k Ratings 5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
FAQs