Are you looking forward to riding your motorcycle on the Great Plains of Oklahoma? You will first need to get a motorcycle-only license or a motorcycle endorsement on a standard driver’s license.
In the Sooner State, you must be at least 14 years of age to apply for a motorcycle license. And must be at least 16 years to apply for an endorsement. You can apply for a license or an endorsement at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (Oklahoma DPS).
To get an endorsement or license, you have to appear before a state driver’s license examiner. And pass a written exam, vision test, and driving exam. You can skip the exams if you have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course.
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Getting a motorcycle license
In Oklahoma, a Class M motorcycle license allows you to drive only motorcycles or motor-driven cycles. The minimum age to apply for a license is 14 years. But if you are under 18 years, you need to get a permit first.
The state defines a motorcycle as a vehicle (with two or three wheels) having an engine capacity of over 150cc. A motor-driven cycle is any motor vehicle having an engine greater than 35cc but less than 150cc. If it is an electric vehicle, it should have a power output of greater than 1000 watts.
If you are above 18 years of age
The first step when applying for the license is to make an appointment at the Oklahoma DPS. Then, go in and submit the following motorcycle license requirements:
- An identification card. This is usually a state-certified birth certificate. You can check here for a complete list of acceptable and required documents.
- Your Social Security Number (SSN).
- Proof of United States citizenship.
- You need a document showing the change if you changed your legal name. Applicant must bring in any documents showing a legal name change.
There, you must appear before a Driver’s License Examiner. And then pass a vision test and driving test exam.
If you are under 18 years of age
In addition to the above, you must:
- Hold a learner permit for at least 30 days before applying for a full motorcycle license.
- Complete a Motorcycle Basic Riders course or motorcycle safety course. The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety must approve this. If you have the course completion card, you don’tdon’t have to undergo the skills (drive) test.
- Bring documentation to show that you meet the current enrollment or attendance requirements. This can be in a secondary or vocational-technical school. If you are still waiting for a letter from an Oklahoma school, here is a list of alternate documents.
- You must have a parent or legal guardian present for the road test.
If you are under 16 years of age
You can apply for a motorcycle license in the state of Oklahoma if you are above 14 years. For this, the process is similar to that for those above 18 years.
Additionally, it is mandatory to complete a basic rider’srider’s course approved by the Oklahoma DPS. You also have to hold a learner permit for a minimum of 30 days. And you must have a parent or legal guardian present at the time of the vision and skills test.
You can also take the written test to get a permit at a Career Tech Testing Center. You have to pay a fee of $25. But you will still have to visit a DPS location for the vision test and to get your permit.
You can find more information on this at Career Tech testing.
How to get an Oklahoma motorcycle permit
As mentioned above, if you are under 18 years of age, you have to get a motorcycle learner’s permit first. Then, you have to hold it for at least 30 days.
So, what do you need to do to get a permit? Basically, pass a number of different tests.
- Complete a Motorcycle Basic Rider Course from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course. Here is a list of approved schools.
- Schedule an appointment and visit a Service Oklahoma Licensing Office or Test Site. You should bring along proof of identity and social security number. There, take a vision and DPS knowledge test. Use the Oklahoma Driver Manual (Oklahoma motorcycle operator manual) to study for the test.
- If you are under 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian present at the time of the vision and skills test on the test day.
- Once you pass the required motorcycle permit test, you will get your permit.
How to get a Class L motorcycle endorsement
The process to get an endorsement is similar to getting a motorcycle-only license. But to get a Class L endorsement, you must be at least 16 years old.
To have the endorsement added, you must have a valid license issued by the state of Oklahoma. Then, make an appointment at a local office of the Oklahoma DPS.
Then, at the appointment, you have to appear for a Driver’s License Examine. There, present the required documentation (this is the same as for a motorcycle-only license).
Then, you have to take a vision exam, written knowledge exam, and drive test exam. For the motorcycle skills test, your motorcycle should have a sufficient windshield.
If not, you will have to wear goggles that meet ANSI Z87.1 standards or have a face shield. The requirements are given here.
Oklahoma’sOklahoma’s motorcycle laws also state that you should bring valid proof of motorcycle liability insurance.
If you still need to take a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, you can pass the written exam and request a permit. If you get the motorcycle instruction permit, you have to hold it for at least 30 days. Only after that can you apply for a full motorcycle endorsement on your license.
Another way to get the endorsement
You can also choose to complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) course instead. Once you pass it, you will get a completion certificate. Then, schedule an appointment and visit a Service Oklahoma Licensing Office or Test Site.
You should bring along proof of identity and social security number. There, you can present your MSF certificate. They will waive the written test and drive test, and you will get your endorsement.
If you are under 18 years
The process to get an endorsement for those under 18 years is similar to that given above. But there are additional requirements.
- You have to complete an Oklahoma DPS-approved motorcycle education course.
- They have to bring documentation to show that they meet the current enrollment or attendance requirements. This can be in a secondary or vocational-technical school. If they cannot get a letter from an Oklahoma school, here is a list of alternate documents.
- They must also have a parent or legal guardian present during the road test.
What happens next?
Once you have passed all the required tests, you must wait for your motorcycle license to arrive. You should get your license within 30 days.
As for a motorcycle endorsement, once you pass the tests, the state will take your driver’s license. And it will issue a temporary one. Then, it will mail you the new permanent license with the Class L endorsement.
Fees
You can check the list of fees on the website. Currently, the fees are as follows:
- Motorcycle learner’slearner’s permit: $4. The Retest fee is $4.
- Motorcycle endorsement or license: $38.50.
Do you need motorcycle insurance in Oklahoma?
Yes. According to Oklahoma motorcycle insurance law, a rider must carry motorcycle insurance. They must have a liability policy with the following minimum limits in case of a motorcycle accident:
- $25,000 for death or bodily injury to one person.
- $50,000 for death or bodily injury to two or more persons.
- $25,000 for damage or destruction of property.
Oklahoma helmet laws
In Oklahoma, helmets are mandatory for riders below 18 years. The helmet must be approved by the Department of Transportation.
If you do not have a motorcycle helmet, you must wear some kind of eye protection. It can be goggles or glasses, and the motorbike must have a windscreen.
But helmet laws are only applicable when driving on public roads. If you are riding off-road, you don’tdon’t have to follow helmet laws, even if you are younger than 18.
Conclusion
You can apply for an Oklahoma motorcycle license or an endorsement at the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. To get an endorsement or license, you have to appear before a state driver’s license examiner. And pass a written exam, vision test, and driving exam.
But you can skip the written test and drive test if you have completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course.
