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Indiana driver guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
How to Get an Indiana Motorcycle License
In Indiana, riding a motorcycle takes a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license. Here is what the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) says about who qualifies, the learner's permit and its limits, the safety course route, and moving to Indiana with an endorsement.
16minimum age on the safety course route
1 yearlearner's permit validity, one renewal
0passengers allowed on a permit
1+ hourarrive before branch closing to test that day
The short answer
Get an Indiana motorcycle endorsement by completing an approved driver education course and a Ride Safe Indiana safety course (age 16 or older), or by passing the motorcycle knowledge exam, riding on a learner's permit, and passing an RSI skills exam (age 16 years and 270 days or older). Both routes include a vision screening (or State Form 56520).
Two ways to get an Indiana motorcycle endorsement
In Indiana, the right to ride a motorcycle is an endorsement added to your driver's license. The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) lists two ways for Indiana residents to qualify:
| Safety course route | Permit and skills test route | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | 16 | 16 years and 270 days |
| Training or testing | Complete an approved driver education course and a motorcycle safety course with an authorized Ride Safe Indiana (RSI) provider | Pass the motorcycle knowledge exam, get a motorcycle learner's permit, then pass a motorcycle skills exam with an approved RSI testing provider |
| Vision | Pass a vision screening or provide Vision Screening Documentation (State Form 56520) | Pass a vision screening or provide State Form 56520 |
| Under 18 | A parent or guardian signs an Agreement of Financial Liability | A parent or guardian signs an Agreement of Financial Liability |
| Other | Pass a knowledge exam if your driver's license has been expired for more than 180 days |
The BMV says you can complete an RSI safety course and get an endorsement at any time, with or without a learner's permit. Once you qualify, you can amend your license to add the endorsement online with a myBMV account, though some people may not be eligible to do it online.
From the BMV's Motorcycle Endorsement and Motorcycle Learner's Permit pages, read November 10, 2026.
The motorcycle learner's permit
A motorcycle learner's permit lets Indiana residents who already hold a valid Indiana driver's license practice riding a motorcycle or motor driven cycle before applying for the endorsement. You apply at any BMV branch. To qualify, you must:
- hold a valid Indiana driver's license,
- pass a knowledge test based on the Motorcycle Operator's Manual, and
- have a parent or guardian sign an Agreement of Financial Liability if you are under 18.
To take the motorcycle knowledge exam the same day, the BMV says to arrive at the branch at least one hour before it closes.
From the BMV's Motorcycle Learner's Permit page, read November 10, 2026.
Riding rules with a learner's permit
Wear a DOT-approved helmet
Permit holders must wear a helmet approved by the United States Department of Transportation whenever they ride.
Sunrise-to-sunset window
Riding is allowed only from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
No passengers
Permit holders may not carry passengers.
Valid for one year
The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed only once. If you do not get an endorsement before the renewed permit expires, you must wait one year before applying for a new permit.
An expired permit is no longer valid; to get a new one you take the motorcycle knowledge test again. A lost permit is replaced at a BMV branch with your driver's license or by verifying your personal information.
From the BMV's Motorcycle Learner's Permit page, read November 10, 2026.
Moving to Indiana with a motorcycle endorsement
New Indiana residents with a valid motorcycle endorsement from another state may transfer it to their Indiana driver's license after passing a knowledge exam based on the Indiana Motorcycle Manual. If you hold an out-of-state motorcycle-only license, it counts only toward a motorcycle endorsement; you must also pass a driver knowledge exam and skills test to get a driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement.
Indiana can recognize approved motorcycle safety courses completed in other states and in all five branches of the military, if the course was completed no more than one year before you apply. The BMV's transfer page explains how to send your course completion document to Ride Safe Indiana for review.
From the BMV's Transferring your Out-of-State Motorcycle License or Endorsement page, read November 10, 2026.
Registering and plating a motorcycle
Every motorcycle registered in Indiana must display a license plate in a visible spot on the rear. Most of Indiana's distinctive plates, including special group recognition plates that support military personnel and their families, Indiana colleges and universities, and local organizations, are available for motorcycles, and motorcycles can carry personalized plates of up to 6 characters on a standard motorcycle plate or 5 on other distinctive plates. Group and administrative fees for special plates also apply to motorcycle plates.
Indiana law also allows autocycles: three-wheeled motor vehicles in which the operator and passenger ride in a completely or partially enclosed seating area.
From the BMV's Motorcycle License Plates, Personalized License Plates and Motorcycles and Motor Driven Cycles pages, read November 10, 2026.
Keep your car or truck road-ready at Michigan City Ford
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check. Parking the bike for the season? Bring your Ford in for a checkup before winter.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 10, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Indiana motorcycle license FAQ
How do I get a motorcycle license in Indiana?
Indiana adds a motorcycle endorsement to your driver's license. At 16 or older you can complete an approved driver education course and a Ride Safe Indiana motorcycle safety course, or at 16 years and 270 days you can pass the motorcycle knowledge exam, get a learner's permit and pass an RSI skills exam. Both routes include a vision screening (or State Form 56520).
Do I need a learner's permit to get an Indiana motorcycle endorsement?
No. The BMV says you can complete a Ride Safe Indiana safety course and get an endorsement at any time, with or without a permit. That route also lists an approved driver education course, a vision screening (or State Form 56520), and a parent or guardian agreement if you are under 18.
Can I carry a passenger on an Indiana motorcycle learner's permit?
No. Permit holders may not carry passengers, must wear a DOT-approved helmet, and may ride only from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
How long is an Indiana motorcycle learner's permit valid?
One year. It can be renewed only once; if you do not get an endorsement before the renewed permit expires, you must wait one year to apply for a new permit.
Can I transfer my motorcycle endorsement to Indiana?
Yes. New residents with a valid out-of-state motorcycle endorsement can transfer it after passing a knowledge exam based on the Indiana Motorcycle Manual.
Can I add the endorsement online?
The BMV says you can amend your license on myBMV to add a motorcycle endorsement, though some people may not be eligible to complete it online.
Sharing the road this season?
Read our guide to sharing the road with motorcycles, or schedule service at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Endorsement requirements, learner's permit rules, out-of-state transfers, motorcycle plates and autocycles are from the Indiana BMV pages listed below, read November 10, 2026. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Motorcycle Endorsement, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Motorcycle Learner's Permit, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Transferring your Out-of-State Motorcycle License or Endorsement, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Indiana's Motorcycle License Plates, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Personalized License Plates, Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- Motorcycles and Motor Driven Cycles (autocycles), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), read November 10, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 10, 2026