MOTORCYCLE PERMIT / LICENSE
To apply for a motorcycle instruction permit/license, you must be at least 16 years of age and hold a valid intermediate license.
Applicants for a motorcycle license permit who are under 18 years old must hold a valid intermediate license and have a parent or legal guardian who is willing to assume the responsibility imposed by
KRS 186.590 to sign the application for a license. This is true even if the parent or guardian has already signed the application allowing the minor to drive a moped or automobile.
Applicants over the age of 18 shall hold a motor vehicle operator’s license, motor vehicle instructional permit or pass the motor vehicle operator’s knowledge test in addition to the motorcycle knowledge and skill testing requirements.
OPERATOR/PASSENGER REQUIREMENTS
- The operator must have one of the following before operating a motorcycle on any public roadway in Kentucky:
- A valid motor vehicle operator’s license with a valid motorcycle operator’s endorsement thereon
- a motorcycle license
- or an instruction permit to operate a motorcycle
- A motorcycle operator authorized to operate a motorcycle on an instruction permit shall not be authorized to carry passengers.
- Minors under 18 shall not be on the roadways between Midnight and 6 a.m. without due cause
- The operator and any passenger must use an approved eye-protection device in the manner prescribed by the Transportation Cabinet and must wear approved protective headgear anytime the vehicle is in motion.
- A person may operate a motorcycle without a helmet if they are over 21 and have held a motorcycle license for one year or more. Persons under 21, or those who have held their license for less than one year, must wear protective headgear.
SB 60 MOTORCYCLE WAIVER STATUTE (Effective July 15, 2023)
- A person at least 16 years of age with a valid intermediate motor vehicle license may apply for a motorcycle license to operate a motorcycle.
- The applicant may take an approved safety education course and receive a waiver card for the written and skills tests to obtain a motorcycle license. (The motorcycle safety education commission approves the courses).
- The applicant will not have to hold a motorcycle permit for 30 days. They can obtain a motorcycle license once they complete the approved safety education course and receive the waiver.
- While holding an intermediate operator license, the driver cannot drive a vehicle or motorcycle between 12:00 A.M. (midnight) and 6:00 A.M. unless the driver can demonstrate a good cause for driving, such as emergencies, school, or work-related activities.
- A person 18 years of age and over may obtain a waiver for both the written and skills tests to apply for a motorcycle license.
- The applicant must take one of the approved safety education courses and pass the course to be given a waiver. (The motorcycle safety education commission approves the courses).
- The applicant willl not have to hold a permit for 30 days. They can obtain a motorcycle license once they complete the approved safety education course and receive the waiver.
- Military personnel over 18 can also obtain a waiver for the knowledge and skills test to obtain a motorcycle license.
- A resident, resident's spouse, or dependents of the Commonwealth currently serving in the United States military that is stationed or assigned to a base or other location outside the boundaries of the Commonwealth may submit documentation of completion of a military motorcycle course or a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course by email using form TC 94-28 to waive testing and obtain a motorcycle endorsement on an existing operator's license.
MOTORCYCLE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TESTING REQUIREMENTS / PROCESS
To obtain a full motorcycle endorsement/license you must pass both the knowledge and skills testing requirements as defined in KRS 186.590. The primary methods are listed below.
- STEP ONE: Schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police to take the motorcycle written test to apply for a permit.
- The cost for a motorcycle permit is $15.00 ($18.00 for REAL ID)
- To schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police, click
here. All scheduling is done online.
- Once applicants pass the written test, they will receive a Motorcycle permit.
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STEP TWO: Applicants must hold the permit for 30 days before they are eligible to take the Motorcycle Skills test to receive a Motorcycle license.
- Motorcycle permits expire after one (1) year and can only be renewed once at a Driver Licensing Regional office.
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STEP THREE: After 30 days, the applicant can schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police to take the skills test and receive a Motorcycle license.
- A motorcycle license is $21.50 for a 4-year or $43.00 for an 8-year ($24.00/$48.00 for a REAL ID)
- An operator/motorcycle license combo is $26.50 for a 4-year or $53.00 for an 8-year ($29.00/$58.00 for a REAL ID)
- To add a motorcycle endorsement to an operator license is $21.50 ($24 for a REAL ID) if your license expires in 4 years or less and $43 ($48 for a REAL ID) if your license expires in four years or more.
- To schedule an appointment with the Kentucky State Police, click
here.
If your Motorcycle permit has been expired for over one (1) year, you will need to retake the written test before applying for a Motorcycle license.
- The course incorporates both the written and skills tests into the course.
- The course takes about 15-20 hours with some online instruction, classroom and range time to learn the skills to help keep you safe.
- Motorcycles are provided for use in the course and are under 500cc. Students are required to bring appropriate clothing and a ¾ or full face helmet.
- The course is FREE to students under 18 and have at least their Intermediate Operators’ License.
- Upon successful completion of the course you will be issued a skills waiver card to present to the KYTC licensing office where a full motorcycle endorsement will be added to your motor vehicle operator’s license or motorcycle only license.
- An instructional permit is not required using this method for classes taken after July 15, 2023.
- KY does accept rider education courses from other states which recognize the course taken for licensing purposes in that state. This also includes courses taken on military installations. See below for military personnel, spouses and dependents stationed abroad.
- A motorcycle license is $21.50 for a 4-year or $43.00 for an 8-year ($24.00/$48.00 for a REAL ID).
- An operator/motorcycle license combo is $26.50 for a 4-year or $53.00 for an 8-year ($29.00/$58.00 for a REAL ID).
- To add a motorcycle endorsement to an operator license is $21.50 ($24 for a REAL ID) if your license expires in 4 years or less and $43 ($48 for a REAL ID) if your license expires in four years or more.
- Make sure to bring your waiver card with you.
- STEP THREE: The office will issue you a temporary document to use until your license arrives in the mail
- It takes approximately 10-15 business days for the U.S. Postal Office to deliver a credential in the mail.
- Complete the Basic Rider Course (BRC) offered on base. Typically, see your base safety officer for details.
- For spouses and dependents or at military locations which do not offer the motorcycle education courses, you may take a state approved course in the area where you are stationed.
- Submit documentation of completion of a military motorcycle course or state approved rider education course by email using form TC 94-28 to waive testing and obtain a motorcycle endorsement on an existing operator's license.
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY EDUCATION
Motorcycle Safety Education Program
Jay Huber - Program Administrator
Kentucky Office of Highway Safety
200 Mero St.
Frankfort, KY 40622
(502) 564-1568
RideSmartKY promotes safety by establishing rider training courses throughout the state. The program increases awareness of motorcyclists' knowledge of the effects of alcohol and drugs, develops driver improvement efforts, conducts program promotion activities, enhances the public's awareness of motorcycles, and promotes motorcycle safety through education. RideSmartKY is operated and maintained by the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety and funded by the Division of Driver Licensing from motorcyclist fees, motorcycle licenses, permits, and registrations. RideSmartKY education and training courses follow nationally established guidelines.
For a list of course descriptions and providers, please visit ride.ky.gov. After completing an MSEP course, the motorcycle written and skills test may be waived. Once the driver completes an approved motorcycle safety course, they must bring their course completion paperwork to a Driver Licensing Regional office.
MOPED LICENSE
A moped is defined as having: "No more than two (2) brake horsepower, a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty (50) cubic centimeters, an automatic transmission not requiring clutching or shifting by the operator after the drive system is engaged, and capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour."
KRS 189.285. If you are not sure about the vehicle, contact your local County Clerk's office to find out if the vehicle needs to be licensed.
You must be at least 16 years old and hold a permit to ride a moped in Kentucky.
FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS
Applicants for a moped license who are under 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian who is willing to assume responsibility imposed by
KRS 186.590 sign the application for a license. If a parent or legal guardian has already signed the application allowing the minor to drive a motorcycle or automobile, they must also sign the application for the moped.