Michigan offers two options for obtaining a motorcycle endorsement:
A motorcycle Temporary Instruction Permit (CY TIP) is a transitory tool used to obtain the 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 CY TIP, you must:
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. If you are 18 years old or older, you have two ways to get your CY endorsement; Temporary Instruction Permit or motorcycle safety class.
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.
Basic RiderCourse (BRC) is for the novice rider and covers the fundamentals of operating a motorcycle over two or three days of classroom or eCourse and motorcycle range exercises. Motorcycles are provided. Successful completion of knowledge and skills tests will allow riders to obtain a CY motorcycle endorsement.
Three-Wheel Basic RiderCourse (3WBRC) is specifically designed for three-wheeled motorcycles. The course includes classroom or eCourse activities and on-cycle riding exercises. Students passing the knowledge and skills tests are eligible for a CY motorcycle endorsement with 3wheel only restriction. Three-wheel motorcycles may or may not be provided.
Intermediate Rider License Waiver (IRLW)/Basic RiderCourse 2 (BRC2) is a one or two-day waiver class for motorcyclists with riding experience who want to brush up on their motorcycle skills and obtain their CY motorcycle endorsement. Knowledge and skills are assessed, and motorcycles are not provided.
Advanced RiderCourse (ARC) is for experienced, endorsed riders looking to improve their skills, including swerving, turning, and quick stops. There are no tests, this course is designed for skill building. Motorcycling organizations may require this course before participants can register for group rides. Military organizations usually require this course within the first year of having a CY motorcycle endorsement. The ARC is for riders with a CY endorsement already on their license and motorcycles are not provided.
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 offered in the state no matter where you live.
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 for safe riding experiences. Unendorsed motorcyclists continue to be over-represented in motorcycle crashes and fatalities.
The unendorsed motorcyclist continues to be over-represented in motorcycle crashes and fatalities.
A rider’s first violation is punishable by a $250 fine and misdemeanor, or both. A second offense is punishable by a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail, or both.
Motorcyclist safety (Office of Highway Safety Planning)
First-time CY or permit: $16 (plus any fees for other license transactions)
Renewal: $7 + license renewal fee
Correction/replacement: $9
Information about licenses and IDs
It is not necessary to have any motorcycle riding experience before attending the Basic Rider Course (BRC) 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. Intermediate Rider License Waiver (IRLW)/Basic RiderCourse 2 (BRC2) do require basic motorcycle operator experience such as operating the clutch and controls.
A waiver is granted to students who complete and pass one of the following courses:
In Michigan, a student who completes and passes the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), Basic Rider Course (BRC), or the Intermediate Rider License Waiver/Basic Rider Course 2 (IRLW/BRC2) is granted a “waiver” to taking the Rider Skills Test (RST) and the Secretary of State (SOS) Branch Office knowledge test when applying for their motorcycle endorsement (CY) on their driver’s license.
The following training curriculums and courses are approved as waiver substitutes for motorcycle rider training courses offered in Michigan when seeking an endorsement. Refer to the Reciprocity for Out-of-State Motorcycle Rider Training Courses flier for more information.
Idaho Star – Basic I (BIC)
Team Oregon – Basic rider training (BRT)
Lee Parks Total Control – Intermediate riding clinic (IRC)
California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP) – Motorcyclist training course (MTC)
Harley-Davidson® Riding Academy - New rider course (NRC)
Motorcycle Ohio Program – Basic rider skills (BRS)
Individuals who have successfully completed one of the courses listed and wish to obtain their cycle endorsement on their Michigan driver’s license MUST provide a valid certificate of completion from the provider of the course. The certificate of completion must include a certifying/authorized signature and the date of the course completion (which must be one year or less from the date of the endorsement application).
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 a MSF certified RiderCoach you must, at a minimum:
Contact Motorcycling@Michigan.gov for an application.
Only if the moped or scooter meets the legal definition of a motorcycle.
Otherwise, 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 you are under the age of 18 years in Michigan, you must successfully complete the motorcycle safety course to get the endorsement. If you are 18 years or older and have failed the motorcycle rider skills test twice, you must successfully complete a motorcycle safety training course to obtain your endorsement.
You must successfully complete a Motorcycle Safety Course offered through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF). You may obtain course information via the MSF Web site www.msf-usa.org. Once you finish the course and get the MSF completion card, you may 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 Rider Course (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 most other 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 more information.
For the Basic RiderCourse (BRC), you will need to bring a driver's license or photo identification, a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet, eye protection, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, full-fingered gloves, and leather boots that cover your ankles.
For the advanced courses (BRC2, RRBRC, ARC), you will need everything required for the Basic RiderCourse, plus your own road-worthy motorcycle and valid proof of insurance. Check with your course sponsor for more information when you register.
The Basic RiderCourse (BRC) includes a training motorcycle (under 500cc) that is provided by the course sponsor. The other courses offered (BRC2, RRBRC, ARC) require you to provide your own road-worthy motorcycle 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.
You can request a duplicate for a motorcycle TIP that was lost, stolen, or mutilated for a replacement fee of $9.
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.
Michigan accepts certain motorcycle training curriculums and courses as waiver substitutes for motorcycle rider training courses in Michigan.
If you have successfully completed one of these courses and wish to obtain your cycle endorsement on your driver’s license, you must provide a valid certificate of completion from the provider of the course. The certificate of completion must be one year or less from the date of the endorsement application and include a certifying/authorized signature and the date of the course completion.
The cost of a public motorcycle safety course is subsidized by grant monies. The price mandated by law is $50. Private course registration fees are not regulated by the state and range from $100 - $350. You want to check the fee and refund policy of the sponsor prior to course registration.
ORV courses are offered through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
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.
A motorcycle is a two- or three-wheeled motor vehicle 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 legally drive them on public roads and won’t 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 motorcycle, depending on its size and performance.
You must contact the training sponsor where you completed the course. Michigan Rider Education Program Certificate of Completion are only valid for one year from the time of class completion. After March 16, 2021, 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 to your license.
This is the starting place for novice riders. You will need to continue practicing the skills you learned to be a safe and confident rider. Training bikes provided in the basic courses are under 500 ccs. To be a responsible rider, it is important to have the skill necessary to handle the size of motorcycle you choose to ride.
Upon successful completion of a Basic RiderCourse, you will have learned the basic skills of how to become a safe and responsible motorcyclist. You will receive a completion card that you take to the Secretary of State branch office to waive the required skills test (must be submitted within 1 year of date of course completion) and the CY endorsement will be added for a fee to your Michigan driver's license. You may also receive motorcycle insurance discounts by participating in a course.
The Basic RiderCourse, teaches basic skills and strategies to become a safe and responsible motorcyclist. The training course is one of two ways to obtain the CY motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license. Successful completion may qualify for an insurance discount.
