Hamilton County Motorcycle License
Last Updated: August 2026
Indiana does not issue a separate motorcycle license for most riders. Instead, you add a motorcycle endorsement to a valid Indiana driver’s license. You may also obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit while learning to ride.
Quick Answer
There are two main ways to get an Indiana motorcycle endorsement:
- Complete an approved Ride Safe Indiana motorcycle safety course, or
- Obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit and pass an approved motorcycle skills exam.
The one-time motorcycle endorsement fee is currently $19.
View Indiana Motorcycle Endorsement Requirements
Option 1: Take a Motorcycle Safety Course
Ride Safe Indiana offers approved motorcycle training courses that include classroom instruction and hands-on riding practice.
The basic course includes:
- 5 hours of classroom instruction
- 10 hours of riding practice
- Knowledge exam
- Skills evaluation
- Motorcycle provided for the course
After successfully completing the course, your results are sent to the BMV and are valid for one year. You may then be able to add the endorsement through myBMV without visiting a branch.
Find a Ride Safe Indiana Course
Option 2: Motorcycle Learner’s Permit
You can obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit at an Indiana BMV branch if you:
- Have a valid Indiana driver’s license
- Pass the motorcycle knowledge exam
- Pass a vision screening
- Have a parent or guardian sign the financial-liability agreement if you’re under 18
The motorcycle learner’s permit fee is currently $9.
→ View Noblesville BMV Information
Rules With a Motorcycle Permit
A motorcycle learner’s permit is valid for one year.
While riding with the permit, you must:
- Wear a DOT-approved helmet
- Ride only during daylight hours
- Carry no passengers
- Continue to hold a valid Indiana driver’s license
The permit can be renewed only once. If you don’t earn the endorsement before the renewed permit expires, you generally must wait one year before applying for another permit, although you can still complete an approved motorcycle safety course.
Motorcycle Skills Test
If you choose the permit-and-test route, you must pass a motorcycle skills exam through an approved Ride Safe Indiana provider.
You’ll need to provide:
- Your valid motorcycle learner’s permit
- A street-legal motorcycle
- A DOT-approved helmet
Skills-test fees vary by testing provider.
Find Motorcycle Skills Test Providers
How Much Does It Cost?
The BMV charges a one-time $19 fee when the motorcycle endorsement is first added to your license. As long as you keep the endorsement valid, you don’t pay the endorsement fee again when renewing your driver’s license.
Course and skills-test costs are separate and vary by provider.
Local Tips
- Consider the Ride Safe Indiana course if you’re a new rider — it combines training and testing.
- If taking the motorcycle knowledge exam at the BMV, arrive at least one hour before closing.
- You need a valid Indiana driver’s license before getting a motorcycle learner’s permit.
- A learner’s permit does not allow nighttime riding or passengers.
- Bring your own motorcycle for the skills exam if you use the permit/testing route.
- You cannot obtain a motorcycle permit or endorsement while your driving privileges are suspended, revoked or invalidated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a separate motorcycle license in Indiana?
Generally, no. Indiana adds a motorcycle endorsement to your regular driver’s license.
How much is the motorcycle endorsement?
The current one-time BMV endorsement fee is $19.
Do I have to take a motorcycle safety course?
No. You can instead obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit and pass an approved motorcycle skills exam.
How long does a motorcycle permit last?
An Indiana motorcycle learner’s permit is valid for one year.
Can I ride at night with a motorcycle permit?
No. Motorcycle learner’s permit holders may ride only during daylight hours and cannot carry passengers.
What if I already have a motorcycle endorsement from another state?
A new Indiana resident with a valid out-of-state motorcycle endorsement can transfer it after passing Indiana’s motorcycle knowledge exam.
→ View New Resident BMV Information
Related Pages
→ Noblesville BMV
→ BMV Appointments
→ License Renewal
→ New Resident BMV
→ BMV & Licensing
Official Resources
Ride Safe Indiana – Motorcycle Endorsements & Permits
Requirements for motorcycle endorsements, learner’s permits, training and skills exams.
View Motorcycle Endorsement Information
Indiana BMV – Motorcycle Learner’s Permit
Official permit requirements and testing information.
View Motorcycle Learner’s Permit Information
Summary
Hamilton County residents who want to ride a motorcycle can add a motorcycle endorsement to their Indiana driver’s license by completing an approved Ride Safe Indiana course or using the learner’s-permit and skills-test route.
The BMV’s current one-time motorcycle endorsement fee is $19.