How To Get a Nevada Motorcycle License

To get a Nevada motorcycle license you must fill out an application, pass vision, knowledge, and road tests, or complete a certified motorcycle safety course.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
You must have a Class M license to legally operate a motorcycle on public roads in Nevada. Before you apply for a Nevada Class M motorcycle license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you must first either pass a vision test, written knowledge test, and a DMV road skills test, or complete a certified motorcycle safety course. 
With its vast desert landscape, Nevada is an awesome place to cruise around on a motorcycle. But before you ride off into the sunset, you’re going to need a motorcycle license. To obtain a Nevada motorcycle license, the DMV will require you to either pass their knowledge and road skills test or present verification of completion of a safety course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). 
To help you learn more about the process,
Jerry
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Nevada car insurance
along the way. 

Do you need a license to operate a motorcycle in Nevada?

Yes—you need a Nevada Class M license to operate a motorcycle on public roads. You don’t need a motorcycle license to ride on private property, but the instant those two tires touch a public Nevada street, you’re legally required to carry a motorcycle license.  
According to
Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 482 Section 070
, a motorcycle is defined as “every motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, except any such vehicle as may be included within the term “electric bicycle,” “electric scooter,” “tractor” or “moped”...”. 
You must be 16 or older to have a Nevada motorcycle license. Motorcycle drivers under the age of 18 have additional requirements to complete before they’re issued a Nevada motorcycle license by the DMV. One such requirement is holding a motorcycle permit prior to obtaining a license, whereas drivers 18 and older do not have to have a permit beforehand. 
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How to obtain a Class M motorcycle license in Nevada

You must hold a valid driver’s license before you submit a
DMV application form 002E
for your Class M motorcycle license in Nevada. Then, you have some options.
You could make a license appointment at a full-service DMV where you will undergo a vision test and a written knowledge exam. If you pass both, you’ll be able to take your road skills test. Pass this final step and you’ll be issued your Nevada Class M motorcycle license! 
If you’d rather skip the DMV tests, you could opt for taking one of Nevada’s approved education and safety courses. These official courses are overseen by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)—find a nearby course by clicking
here
. Through this course, you’ll be tested on your knowledge and skills, which includes both classroom and on-road training. 
After completing the MSF course, you must bring documentation of your completion to the DMV in order to be issued a Nevada motorcycle license. All drivers looking to get a motorcycle license must arrive at the DMV with the following identification in hand: 
  • Name
  • Age
  • Social Security Number 
  • Proof of residency

How to get a Nevada motorcycle license if you’re under 18

Motorcycle drivers under 18 must pass a written test in order to get their motorcycle permit. A permit issued for drivers under 18 is good for one year—after you turn 18 it will only be valid for six months. Motorcycle permit holders under 18 in Nevada must abide by the following regulations before receiving a Class M license:
  • Hold a permit for at least six months.
  • Log a minimum of 50 hours of daytime-only road experience under the supervision of a licensed motorcyclist over the age of 21 who has one or more years of driving experience and is riding alongside the permit holder (riding on high-speed roads is prohibited).
  • Complete an MSF-approved training course.
In order to obtain a Nevada motorcycle license under 18, you must arrive at the DMV accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who will be asked to sign a financial responsibility statement while there. You must also present a completed
Certification of Attendance

How much does it cost to get a motorcycle license in Nevada?

It costs money to get a Class M motorcycle designation added to your Nevada license. Let’s go over some of the general fees associated with getting a motorcycle license in Nevada:
  • Instruction permit fee: $22.25
  • Vision/written test fee: $25
  • Retesting fee: $10
  • MSF tuition fee: $150.00
  • Motorcycle licensing fee: $41.25
  • Out-of-state license transfer fee: $46.25

How to save on car and motorcycle insurance in Nevada

Motorcycle insurance
is mandatory in Nevada. You’re also required by law to register your motorcycle and wear a helmet. Insuring a motorcycle is almost always cheaper than
car insurance
, but if you’re also looking for a great price on auto coverage,
Jerry
’s got your back. 
It takes 45 seconds for Jerry to compile a list of the most affordable rates from over 55 top-rated insurance companies and send it right to your fingertips. When you switch to a new policy with Jerry’s expert assistance, you could save hundreds of dollars a year in a matter of minutes. 
The average Jerry user saves over $800 a year—that's plenty of extra room in your budget for your motorcycle needs!
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FAQs

No. Carrying a minimum amount of motorcycle liability insurance is the law in Nevada.
Yes. But drivers over 18 can complete an MSF training course instead of taking the DMV’s standard tests.
Motorcycle drivers who are caught driving on public roads without insurance will face fines ranging from $250 to over $1,000, possible license suspension, and/or
SR-22
insurance.
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