Motorcycle Permit Information

Overview
Learner Permit Restrictions

No matter what age you are, if you hold a learner permit, you may not drive unless accompanied by a supervising driver age 21 or older who has a valid license to operate the vehicle you are driving. For example, only a person with a motorcycle license may supervise a person learning to drive a motorcycle. If you have a motorcycle learner permit (Class M, MJ or Limited MJ), your supervising driver must: exercise “general supervision” of you while you operate the motorcycle, and remain within one-quarter mile of you, keeping you in sight at all times

The only passenger who can ride with you on the motorcycle is your supervising driver. If you operate a moped with any valid class of learner permit, the same passenger rules apply.
  • on any street within a park in New York City
  • on any bridge or tunnel under the jurisdiction of the Tri-borough Bridge and Tunnel Authority
  • on the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River, or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County
  • in a DMV road test area

Getting a Motorcycle Permit
The motorcycle permit test details depends on if you take it online or in person at a DMV office (some locations require advance reservations). The motorcycle permit is valid for 1 year. The DMV motorcycle permit fees are based on the license driver class. If you need to replace or renew a lost, stolen, or damaged learner’s permit in New York, you must visit the DMV office in person.
Both Class D and M permit tests are given in 16, languages: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Chinese, French, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Nepali, Polish, Russian and Spanish.

Taking the Test
The Motorcycle Permit Test must be taken at a DMV location (but not at a DMV Express Location) and can either book in advance online, or as a walk-in. To pass the online test, submit an application and take the test online, at home, and visit the DMV afterwards to complete your application. https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/get-motorcycle-license. The required documentation:
  • Form (MV-44) for a Motorcycle Permit
  • Proof of identification (a valid NYS Driver’s License, NYS MC Permit, or NYS Non-Driver ID card-all with photo.
  • Payment (minimum charge is $20 if possess a D class license).

Study Resources
1. Driver’s Manual (generally 15 questions are sourced from here)
2. Motorcycle Manual (generally 5 questions are sourced from here)
3. Driver’s Manual In Other Languages
4. Motorcycle Permit Practice Test
5. Road Signs You Must Know

In order to take the Online Permit Test, you must have a webcam enabled, and you must allow the DMV to access the webcam. The online exam consists of 50 questions, and to pass the test you must correctly answer:
  • 80% of the overall questions
  • 50% of the questions relating to road signs
  • 60% of the motorcycle questions

To pass the written test in person, you must get at least 14 of the 20 multiple-choice questions correct. Of the 14 correct answers, at least 2 of them have be on the topic of road signs (there are 4 questions about road signs on the test). Additionally, if you are applying for a Motorcycle Permit , you must get at least 3 out of the 5 motorcycle questions correct.

Picking Up Motorcycle Permit
After you pass the online motorcycle permit test, schedule a time to pick up the motorcycle permit at the DMV, after your motorcycle course date. This means that you can make 1 trip to the DMV and pick-up your motorcycle permit, and redeem the DMV Road Test Waiver card for the M license.

Permit Renewal
Generally, you cannot renew a permit. If it expires, you must apply for a new learner permit at a DMV office and take your written test again.

Renew MC permit: must be completed in person at a DMV office. Customers cannot renew their permit once it has expired and will be required to retake the exam at a cost of $23.50.

Attention Moped Riders!
The Limited-use Motorcycle requirements to operate a moped are like those for motorcycles. You must have a driver license and register your moped to drive it on streets and highways. Please note that here are exceptions to these requirements listed in this table on the DMV page.

The DMV classifies a moped as a Class A, Class B or Class C limited use motorcycle according to its top speed. Only a certified model of limited use motorcycle can get a registration in New York State (and only the manufacturer can certify a moped). If the vehicle goes over 30 MPH, it is Class A and must be operated with a motorcycle license (regardless of engine size).