Motorcycle Endorsement Practice Test
Add an M endorsement to your driver's license. Learn how the MSF course, written test, and skills test work — and practice the questions you'll see on exam day.
How to Get Your Motorcycle Endorsement
Most states add a motorcycle endorsement to your existing driver's license rather than issuing a separate license. To earn the M endorsement, you typically need to pass both a written knowledge test and a skills test (or present a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course completion card, which waives the skills test in most states).
The written knowledge test covers everything on the motorcycle permit test plus more advanced topics like risk management, collision avoidance, group riding, and riding in adverse conditions. If you haven't yet gotten your permit, you'll take the knowledge test first — then practice riding before returning for the skills evaluation.
The MSF Basic RiderCourse is highly recommended even if it's not required in your state. It provides hands-on riding practice on a closed course, professional instruction, and in most states eliminates the DMV skills test requirement. Many insurance companies also offer premium discounts to riders who complete it.
*MSF course completion waives skills test in most states. Check your state's DMV for specifics.
Endorsement Process Topics
Endorsement Requirements
Age requirements, permit prerequisite, and whether you need to hold your permit for a set time before testing.
MSF Basic RiderCourse
What the MSF course covers (classroom + range riding), how long it takes, and how it can waive the skills test.
Written Knowledge Test
Topics on the written test: safe riding practices, gear, pre-ride inspection, and traffic laws.
Skills Test Components
Figure-8, quick stop, cornering, and U-turn exercises — how they are scored and what fails you.
License Upgrade Process
How to visit the DMV, what to bring, and how long the endorsement takes to appear on your license.
State-Specific Rules
How endorsement rules differ by state and where to find your state's specific requirements.
The Motorcycle Skills Test Explained
Figure-8
You must ride a figure-8 pattern within a marked box without putting your foot down. This tests your balance, slow-speed control, clutch friction zone use, and ability to make tight turns. Keep your eyes up and look through the turn.
Quick Stop (Emergency Braking)
You ride at a set speed (usually 20 mph) and stop as quickly as possible within a marked zone without locking the wheels or skidding. Use both brakes simultaneously — apply the rear brake first, then the front — and stop before the line. Locking the front brake and falling is an automatic fail.
Cornering
You approach a corner at a set speed and negotiate it smoothly while maintaining your lane position. The evaluator looks for smooth throttle control through the curve, proper lean angle, and no lane departure.
U-Turn
You must make a U-turn within a marked area without putting your foot down or going outside the boundaries. Use the clutch friction zone to maintain slow, smooth speed, and look in the direction you want to go — not at the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an M endorsement?
An M endorsement is an addition to your existing driver's license that authorizes you to operate a motorcycle. Unlike some states that issue a separate motorcycle license class, states using the endorsement system add an 'M' notation to your current license after you pass the required tests.
Does completing the MSF course waive the skills test?
Yes, in most states. Completing the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) Basic RiderCourse earns you a completion card that the DMV accepts in place of the skills test. This means you only need to pass the written knowledge test — not the on-road skills evaluation — to get your endorsement. Check your specific state's rules, as a few states have different arrangements.
What is tested in the motorcycle skills test?
The motorcycle skills test evaluates low-speed maneuvering in a closed course. Common exercises include the figure-8 (tests balance and control at slow speed), quick stop (tests emergency braking), cornering (tests smooth curve negotiation), and the U-turn (tests slow-speed turning). You must complete each exercise without putting your foot down or going outside the marked boundaries.
Can you ride any motorcycle with an M endorsement?
Yes. A standard M endorsement allows you to operate any motorcycle, including sport bikes, cruisers, touring bikes, and scooters over 50cc. Some states have an M2 restriction for mopeds only — make sure you get the full M endorsement if you want to ride larger bikes.
How much does getting an M endorsement cost?
The fee for adding an M endorsement to your license varies by state, typically ranging from $5 to $35. The MSF Basic RiderCourse typically costs $200 to $350 and is offered through local providers. Many employers and insurance companies offer discounts for completing the MSF course.
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