When I was a teenager I had one goal.  Well, maybe more than one.  From the perspective of getting people (girls) to notice me in the neighborhood I needed something to outshine the other boys.  The other boys had bicycles with playing cards pinned to their wheels that made the sound of a motorcycle.  I did too.  But, that just wasn’t cutting it for me and to be honest no one (girls) noticed me!  So, the quest for my first motorcycle started.

It was 1976 or maybe 1978 or somewhere in that decade of weirdness that I decided that I needed a brand new Honda XL-75 to deliver my newspapers on.  I somehow convinced my parents to let me, first acquire a paper route and secondly, if I earned enough money buy the bike of my dreams.  As time went by I accumulated close to $1000 by the ripe age of 13.  And with brochure in hand spent $600 on my XL.

The love affair was short lived but the memories remain.  Now, I have decided its time to ride again and here is the first official step for all of you that are thinking in this direction.  Have fun, be safe and let’s ride!

Obtaining a Motorcycle Permit:

To obtain a motorcycle permit you must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver’s license.  A permit can be obtained at any DMV full service branch office.  No appointment is necessary, please be in the office no later than one hour before closing.  Both the Motorcycle Manual English version and the Connecticut driving manual for new driver’s English version or Spanish version should be reviewed.  It really is the only thing I read prior to the written test for my permit.

If you hold a valid out of state drivers license, you will be required to present all documentation (identification, address verification, etc.) necessary to obtain a Connecticut driver’s license before the motorcycle permit can be issued.  Please see our Driver’s Licenses and Identification pages for more information.  After successful completion of the motorcycle testing requirements, and before the motorcycle endorsement can be issued, you must obtain a Connecticut driver’s license.

The following documents are required to obtain a motorcycle permit:

* Driver’s License.

* Certificate of Parental Consent (form 2-D) with a notarized seal if under the age of eighteen or parent, legal guardian, spouse over 18 years of age.

* Application for a Non-Commercial Driver’s License (form-R229), which can be completed at the time of the test.

* $40 testing fee (see acceptable forms of payment).

* $15 motorcycle permit fee.

Note: If you are not a citizen of the United States, you will be required to show proof of your legal status in this country.

* Holders of a B1 or B2 Visitor’s Visa are not eligible for a driver’s license or identification card unless a valid USCIS Employment Authorization Card and verification of an application pending for Lawful Permanent Residence is provided.

* Foreign students with an F1 Visa status must show USCIS document I-20 and verification of current enrollment in a Connecticut school.

* J1 Visa holders are required to show USCIS document DS2019.

* H1B Visa holders are required to show a valid USCIS Employment Authorization Card and an employee verification letter from a Connecticut employer.

* All applicants will be verified through USCIS for legal status before a driver’s license/identification card will be issued.

You must pass a vision exam and a law test before a permit is issued.

The law test has 16 questions, you must answer at least 12 correctly to pass. If you fail the test(s), the $40 testing fee is not refunded. A re-exam is allowed any day after the initial failure.

The permit allows you to drive the motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement for 60 days subject to conditions specified:

1. Valid in Connecticut only.
2. Valid during daylight use only.

3. Not valid for carrying passengers.

4. Not valid on multiple lane limited access highways.

5. Vision protecting devise must be used, including but not limited to goggles, glasses, face shields, windshields and wind screens.

6. Protective headgear of a type which conforms to the minimum specifications established by regulations adopted under Public Act 89-242 must be worn while operating a motorcycle.

All applicants who have successfully completed the CONREP  are not required to perform the DMV motorcycle road test.  The vision and law test is still required (please see above requirements for obtaining a permit).

Additional information about the different types of courses offered may be obtained by calling 1-800-USA-RIDE or by visiting the CONREP  website.

Obtaining a Motorcycle Endorsement (Road Test):

Applicants not completing the CONREP must take the DMV motorcycle road test within the 60 day permit period at certain DMV full service branch offices (Bridgeport, Danbury, New Britain, Old Saybrook and Waterbury excluded).  You must make an appointment for the road test by either calling the DMV Telephone Center or in person at any DMV Branch Office.  You will then receive an appointment confirmation letter in the mail.  Note:   All applicants who have successfully completed the CONREP  are not required to perform the DMV motorcycle road test.  The vision and law test is still required (please see above requirements for obtaining a permit).

Generally, the applicant schedules the road test for the office where the permit was issued, if that office gives motorcycle road tests. If the office that issued the permit is not an office which gives motorcycle road tests (Bridgeport, Danbury, New Britain, Old Saybrook or Waterbury) that office will refer the applicant to the appropriate office (in close proximity) for the road test appointment.

At the time of the appointment you must bring the following items with you:

* Motorcycle permit.

* Driver’s license.

* Motorcycle that you will be using for the road test.

* Motorcycle registration.

* Connecticut Insurance Card for the motorcycle.

* Appointment confirmation letter that you received in the mail.

* If applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, you must present a certificate of successful completion of the CONREP  (the road test is waived).  You must also bring a parent, legal guardian, spouse over 18 years of age or a completed Certificate of Parental Consent (form 2-D), with a notarized seal.

After successful completion of the motorcycle road test, you will surrender your current driver’s license and motorcycle permit, and will be issued a new license with a motorcycle endorsement (M).  There is no additional fee for this.  Please note that any person 16 or 17 years of age who has been issued a motorcycle endorsement may not transport any passenger on a motorcycle for the first six months after obtaining the endorsement, three months if 18 years of age or older.

Canceling an Appointment:

If you can not keep your scheduled appointment, you must reschedule the appointment seven or more working days prior to the appointment date.   Failure to do so will result in a forfeit of the $40 exam fee.

Inclement Weather:

Motorcycle road tests are occasionally cancelled due to inclement weather.  The decision to cancel will be made the day of your test.  If there is inclement weather on your test day, please call the DMV Telephone Center to confirm that testing is being conducted.

Failed Road Tests:

If you fail the motorcycle road test, you can retest by appointment anytime after two weeks of the initial failure. The fee for a retest is $40.

Expired Permits:

If your motorcycle permit is expired please see instructions on renewing a motorcycle permit.

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