Motorcycle riders

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic RiderCourse is designed for beginning riders, ages 16 and up. For the Basic RiderCourse, you'll have about 5 hours of learning, often through an online eCourse, before you get on a motorcycle. Then you will receive 10 hours of on-motorcycle training, spread over two days. You will learn about the different types of motorcycles, layout and operation of the basic controls, and how to become a more responsible rider. Your MSF-certified RiderCoach will guide you through the basic skills of straight-line riding, stopping, shifting, and turning, gradually progressing to swerving and emergency braking.

The training course is one of two ways to obtain the CY motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license. Successful completion may qualify you for an insurance discount.

Motorcycle training locator

Michigan offers two options for obtaining a motorcycle endorsement:

• Complete an approved Michigan Rider Education Program (MI-REP) training course, or
• Obtain a motorcycle Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) at a Secretary of State office, practice riding with an experienced motorcyclist for up to 180 days and pass a Rider Skills Test offered by an approved driver testing business.

A motorcycle Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) is a two-step process used to obtain a motorcycle endorsement. It gives new riders an opportunity to practice riding on public roads under the constant supervision of an experienced motorcyclist before taking the motorcycle skills test. To obtain a TIP, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old
• If you are 16 or 17, you must also show proof of enrollment in a motorcycle rider safety training course. A parent’s signature is also required unless the applicant is an emancipated minor.
• Hold a valid Michigan driver’s license
• Pass the vision test
• Pass the motorcycle written knowledge test
• Pay the TIP fee

The TIP is valid for 180 days. While driving on a motorcycle TIP, you cannot ride at night or carry passengers, and you must be under the constant visual supervision of a licensed motorcycle operator who is at least 18 years old.

If you are under the age of 18 years in Michigan, you must successfully complete the motorcycle safety course to get the endorsement.

Michigan law allows the issuance of no more than two motorcycle TIPs within a 10-year period. If your second TIP has expired or if you have failed two motorcycle skills tests, you must pass a motorcycle safety course to obtain your motorcycle endorsement.

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Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual

The second step to attaining your motorcycle endorsement with the TIP process is to complete the motorcycle skill test (Rider Skill Test RST) offered through a driver testing business examiner.

Search for driver testing business locations

Courses are offered throughout the state. You must contact the course sponsor directly to register for a class. Register as early as possible in the year since classes are very popular and fill up quickly. You may register at any course location offered in the state no matter where you live.

Motorcycle training site locator

Yes, a motorcycle endorsement (CY) is required to operate a motorcycle or three-wheeled motorcycle (trike) on public roads in Michigan. Operating without a motorcycle endorsement (CY) may result in a fine and/or imprisonment.

In addition to the legal requirements, completing motorcycle rider education courses help prepare motorcyclists to be a more responsible rider. Unendorsed motorcyclists continue to be over-represented in motorcycle crashes and fatalities.

A rider’s first violation is punishable by a civil infraction citation and a $250 fine. A second offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail, or both.

Motorcyclist safety (Office of Highway Safety Planning)

It is not necessary to have any motorcycle riding experience, but you do need the ability to balance and stabilize a two-wheeled vehicle. If you have not ridden a bicycle in a long time, you should get some practice before attempting to ride a motorized vehicle.

The Basic RiderCourse (BRC) includes a training motorcycle (under 500cc) that is provided by the course sponsor. The other courses offered, Intermediate Rider License Waiver/Basic RiderCourse 2 and Advanced RiderCourse, require you to provide your own road-worthy motorcycle that is properly registered and insured. Check with the course sponsor, at the time you register, for more information. 

The Basic RiderCourse is approximately 15 hours (Harley-Davidson courses are 20 hours because of additional classroom and range riding time) and usually takes place over the course of a weekend. Sponsors may offer other options; you'll need to check directly with the course sponsor. You must pass a written knowledge test and a rider skills test to successfully complete this course.

The Intermediate Rider License Waiver/Basic RiderCourse 2 (IRLW/BRC2) is approximately 8 hours. This course is for riders who already have basic riding skills and need a motorcycle endorsement. It is also an excellent refresher course for practicing and renewing riding skills. Riders need to provide their own registered and insured motorcycle. The IRLW/BRC2 includes a written knowledge test and a rider skills test to successfully complete this course.

We offer a variety of classes for motorcyclists of all skill levels.

Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is for the novice rider and covers the fundamentals of operating a motorcycle. Successful completion will allow riders to obtain a motorcycle endorsement.

Intermediate Rider License Waiver/Basic RiderCourse 2 (IRLW/BRC2) is a one-day waiver class for motorcyclists with riding experience who want to brush up on their skills and obtain their motorcycle endorsement.

Three-Wheel Basic RiderCourse (3WBRC) is specifically designed for three-wheeled motorcycles. The course includes four hours of classroom activities and up to eight hours of on-cycle riding exercises. Students passing the course are eligible only for the three-wheel restriction on the motorcycle endorsement.

Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) is for experienced, endorsed riders looking to improve their skills, including swerving, turning, and quick stops. Motorcycling organizations may require this course before participants can register for group rides. The ARC is for riders with a motorcycle endorsement (CY) already on their license.

Michigan accepts motorcycle endorsements from other states. When transferring your out-of-state driver's license with a current and valid motorcycle endorsement to Michigan, you must let the Secretary of State know you also want to transfer the motorcycle endorsement. Knowledge and skills tests are waived.

If you are an experienced rider with good riding and communication skills, you may qualify to become a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) certified RiderCoach. Becoming a MSF RiderCoach is a great way to improve your own abilities while helping others to learn or enhance their riding skills.

To become an MSF certified RiderCoach you must, at a minimum:

• Be 18 years of age or older.
• Have a valid driver's license with a motorcycle (CY) endorsement for a minimum of 1 year.
• Have no more than six points on your driving record for moving violations during the 12 months before applying for approval as a RiderCoach.
• Be sponsored by a Michigan Department of State approved public or private sponsor that offers rider safety training courses.
• Successfully complete a RiderCoach Preparation Course.
• Review the RiderCoach Recruitment Brochure for additional information.
• Review the RiderCoach Recruitment Video for additional information. 

Contact Motorcycling@Michigan.gov for an application.

You must successfully complete a motorcycle safety course offered through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) or an approved out-of-state course. You may obtain course information via the MSF Web site www.msf-usa.org or the out-of-state training courses. Once you finish the course and get a completion card, contact the Michigan Department of State Internal Services Section at 517-636-5872 for information on handling the transaction through the mail or email your approved motorcycle training completion card to MDOS-ISS@Michigan.gov for further instructions. Most military commands also require completing the Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) within a year of adding your motorcycle endorsement. 

Reciprocity for Out-of-State Motorcycle Rider Training Courses - for riders applying for their Michigan motorcycle endorsement (CY) that have completed their training course outside the state of Michigan.

Out-of-state motorcycle rider safety completion cards may be accepted as proof of completing a motorcycle rider safety course from certain states. Out-of-state motorcycle rider safety completion cards are valid for one year from the date of completion. Refer to the Reciprocity for Out-of-State Motorcycle Rider Training Courses flier for approved out-of-state training providers.

To operate a moped on public roads, you must have either a moped license or a standard, enhanced or chauffeur’s license, a GDL Level 1 license with a moped privilege added, or a GDL Level 2 or Level 3 license.

If your moped has an engine larger than 100 cc and travels faster than 30 miles per hour, by definition it becomes a motorcycle, and you will need a motorcycle endorsement.

A motorcycle is a two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle, equipped with a saddle or seat, that can attain speeds greater than 30 mph on a level surface. Some vehicles, such as "pocket rockets" or "mini choppers" may meet this definition but don't have all the equipment required by Michigan law to be legally driven on public roads and will not be registered by the Michigan Department of State.

A moped has an engine displacement not exceeding 100 cc, no manual gearshift, and is capable of no more than 30 mph on a level surface.

A scooter may be classified as either a moped or a motorcycle, depending on its size and performance.

Michigan does not currently offer instruction for riding a scooter. You may contact the motorcycle safety sponsors directly and register for a Basic RiderCourse or take a skills test from an approved rider skills testing organization.

You must contact the training sponsor where you completed the course. A Michigan Rider Education Program Certificate of Completion is only valid for one year from the time of class completion. The Michigan Rider Education Program Certificate of Completion will be emailed to students with instructions for going online or into the branch office to add the motorcycle endorsement (CY) to your license.  

If you previously had a motorcycle endorsement that was dropped within the last four years and proof of the endorsement can be established, the endorsement can be reissued (the knowledge and skills tests are waived).

If the motorcycle endorsement was dropped more than four years ago, you must pass a motorcycle rider safety course, or pass a motorcycle knowledge test, obtain a motorcycle TIP, and pass a rider skills test.

Your name will appear on two separate lines. Your first and middle name will appear on the first line, and your last name will appear on the line directly below.

• Michigan’s system allows up to 36 characters in the full name fields. If your name exceeds this limit, it will be automatically shortened.
• Apostrophes cannot be included on a Michigan driver’s license or state ID. Hyphens can be used for multiple names and will appear on the card.
• Suffixes such as JR, SR, and Roman numerals up to X may be included. These suffixes will appear at the end of the first line after your first and middle name.