To ride legally in Utah, you need a motorcycle endorsement, shown as an “M” on your driver license. Utah motorcycle license requirements include holding a Class D driver license first, being at least 16 years old, passing a written knowledge test and vision screening to earn a learner permit, and then passing either the Driver License Division (DLD) skills test or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic Rider Course. The endorsement fee is $18.1Driver License Division. Fees
Who Can Apply
You must be 16 or older and already hold a valid Utah Class D license.2Utah Driver License Division. Motorcycle Endorsement Utah does not issue a motorcycle-only license. The “M” is added to the license you already carry, so if you don’t have a Class D yet, that comes first.
Age changes the timeline. Riders under 19 must hold a motorcycle learner permit for at least two months before taking the skills test.3Ride to Live Utah. License That waiting period is waived if the rider finishes the Basic Rider Course during those two months.2Utah Driver License Division. Motorcycle Endorsement Riders 19 and older can move from permit to skills test as soon as they’re ready.
Getting the Learner Permit
The learner permit is the entry point. Go to a DLD office, bring your documents, pass the vision screening, and pass a 25-question written test drawn from the Utah Motorcycle Operator Manual.3Ride to Live Utah. License The permit is good for six months.
For the first two months on the permit, you cannot ride on roads posted above 60 mph, carry a passenger, or ride between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. These restrictions lift automatically after two months even if you haven’t yet taken the skills test, and limited exceptions exist for employment, agricultural work, and emergencies.4Utah Legislature. Utah Code 53-3-210.6 Violating a restriction while on the permit is an infraction.
What To Bring to the DLD Office
Bring originals, not photocopies:
- Proof of your full legal name and date of birth, such as a birth certificate or passport.
- Social Security verification, either your card or a document that displays your full SSN, like a W-2.
- Two proofs of Utah residency, such as utility bills or bank statements showing your current address.
Vision Screening and Written Test
Utah requires at least 20/40 vision and a peripheral field of 90 degrees in at least one eye. If you don’t meet that standard, you’ll need a statement from an eye doctor before the application can move forward.5Zero Fatalities. Visual Driver Handbook – Eye (Vision) Test
The written test covers lane positioning, crash avoidance, and handling different road surfaces. Study the Motorcycle Operator Manual before you go; the questions get specific. Passing the written test is what earns you the learner permit, so this step comes before any riding.3Ride to Live Utah. License
The Skills Test and Why Engine Size Matters
The off-street skills test runs you through a cone weave, a normal stop, a U-turn inside a marked area, a quick stop, and an obstacle swerve. You use your own motorcycle, and the engine displacement of that bike sets the ceiling for what you’ll be endorsed to ride.
Utah uses four tiers:
- 99cc or less
- 249cc or less
- 649cc or less
- 650cc or greater (unrestricted)
Test on a 300cc bike and you’re capped at 649cc. Removing a restriction later means retesting on a larger motorcycle.2Utah Driver License Division. Motorcycle Endorsement If you plan to end up on a larger cruiser or touring bike, testing on one from the start saves a return trip.
The Basic Rider Course Alternative
You can skip the DLD skills test by completing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic Rider Course. Finishing the course waives the riding portion of the license test for endorsements up to the 649cc tier.6Utah Rider Education. Basic Motorcycle Rider Course For Beginners Utah You still need to pass the written test and vision screening at a DLD office.
Expect roughly five hours of online classroom work, up to ten hours of on-range riding with a certified coach, and a cost of around $260. On completion you receive a card to bring to the DLD.2Utah Driver License Division. Motorcycle Endorsement For riders under 19, finishing the course also satisfies the two-month permit holding requirement.
One limitation to know: the course waives the skills test only up to 649cc. If you want an unrestricted endorsement for 650cc and above, you’ll have to take the DLD skills test on a bike in that range.
Fees and What You Leave With
The endorsement fee is $18, paid at the DLD office when you finalize everything.1Driver License Division. Fees Renewing or getting a duplicate license is charged separately.
You walk out with a temporary paper permit that lets you ride legally while your card is produced. The physical license showing the “M” and any displacement restriction code typically arrives by mail within three to four weeks.3Ride to Live Utah. License Check the information on your temporary permit before you leave the office; fixing errors later means another visit.
Helmet, Insurance, and Registration
Utah requires helmets for riders and passengers under 21, and the helmet must meet the federal standard under 49 C.F.R. 571.218.7Utah Legislature. Utah Code 41-6a-1505 Riders 21 and older are not legally required to wear one. There’s no statewide eye protection requirement.
Your motorcycle needs insurance meeting Utah’s minimum liability coverage before you ride, and you must carry proof of insurance with you. Utah’s standard minimums are $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $65,000 per accident, and $15,000 in property damage. Motorcycle-specific minimums may differ, so confirm with your insurer.
Every motorcycle on Utah roads must be titled and registered through the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles. First-time Utah titling requires a VIN inspection and a completed Form TC-656, though new motorcycles bought from a Utah dealer are exempt from the VIN inspection.8Utah DMV. Motorcycles Registration and uniform fees apply at initial registration and annually, and a safety inspection may be required depending on the vehicle’s age and your county.
Penalty for Riding Without an Endorsement
Operating a motorcycle without a valid endorsement is an infraction with a minimum fine of $350, stacked on top of any other citations from the same stop.9Utah Legislature. Utah Code 53-3-202 A court must waive the $350 if you obtain your endorsement and show proof within 30 days of your plea or sentencing date. Courts can extend the window for good cause, but the simpler path is getting endorsed before you ride.