How to Add a Motorcycle Endorsement to Your Florida Driver’s License

Are you ready to drive the scenic Florida roads on your new motorcycle? If you are, you should know that you need a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license or a motorcycle-only license in order to drive a vehicle that has two or three wheels and an engine over 50cc, according to the FLHSMV. The good news is that getting a motorcycle endorsement for your new ride is fairly easy.

What You Need to Get Your Motorcycle Endorsement

Once you attain your motorcycle endorsement, it never expires as long as your driver’s license is valid.

  • A Valid Florida Driver’s License (Class E)
  • Complete the Motorcycle Safety Course (Basic RiderCourse)
  • Go to the Appropriate Office (Driver’s License or Tax Collector)
  • Show Your Documents to a Branch Official
  • Pay the Endorsement Fee

What You Need to Get a Motorcycle Only Driver’s License

It’s important to understand that a motorcycle-only driver’s license is valid for driving two and three-wheeled vehicles. It is not valid for driving vehicles with four or more wheels. In order to drive a car, you would still need to get a standard Florida driver’s license.

  • Be at least 16 years of age or older
  • If under 18, the individual must hold a learners license for 12 months and have no traffic convictions
  • Pass the driver’s license knowledge test
  • Take and pass the Basic RiderCourse
  • Go to the Driver’s License Branch and Present Your Documents
  • Pay any applicable fees

Type of Motorcycle Rider Courses

The state of Florida offers several types of motorcycle rider courses for beginning and advanced riders.

  • Basic RiderCourse – Introductory course for individuals who wish to receive a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle-only driver’s license. This course is mandatory for anyone who wishes to drive a motorcycle.
  • Bike Bonding RiderCourse – Allows riders to practice their skills on a training bike. Usually a 5 to 6-hour course that takes place in a single day.
  • Ultimate Bike Bonding RiderCourse – A partial day training course that focuses on advanced maneuvers, like tight turns, low speeds, and precision riding.
  • Basic RiderCourse 2 – Designed for experienced riders who already have their motorcycle endorsement and wish to brush up their advanced skills, including handling road traffic hazards, advanced cornering and swerving as well as other riding skills. Riders must bring their own bikes, safety equipment, and motorcycle license or driver’s license with endorsement.
  • Basic RiderCourse 2 Updated – Updated riding course that contains the same skills as the Basic RiderCourse 2. Riders must bring their own bikes, safety equipment, and valid motorcycle license or endorsement.
  • Advanced RiderCourse – This course is designed for the experienced motorcycle rider who wishes to improve their motorcycle riding safety by learning new critical thinking skills and improving their decision making processes while riding.
  • Returning Rider Basic RiderCourse – This course is designed for riders who have an endorsement but haven’t ridden in quite some time. It focuses on improving basic skills and refreshing the rider’s memory on safety and motorcycle riding risk management.

Don’t Forget Motorcycle Insurance with Fearnow

It’s important to understand that you do not need to own a motorcycle or have motorcycle insurance in order to get your motorcycle endorsement or motorcycle only driver’s license or to operate a motorcycle in the state of Florida once you have your endorsement or license. However, if you are involved in a motorcycle crash that causes injuries and/or property damage to someone else and do not have motorcycle insurance, the state of Florida does require that you have a motorcycle insurance policy for three years after the accident. Not to mention, you’d be 100 percent responsible for paying for any injuries and property damage that you caused from your own finances.

Here at Fearnow Insurance, we recommend getting motorcycle insurance so that you are properly protected in the event of a motorcycle accident. Our motorcycle insurance coverages include liability coverage, uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage, comprehensive and collision insurance provisions and medical payments coverage as well as the option to add extra coverage, like small accident forgiveness, roadside assistance, and total loss coverage.

To learn more about our motorcycle insurance policies and to receive a quote, give us a call at (813) 689-8878.