There’s no greater freedom than being able to take your motorcycle out and just ride around the great state of Colorado while seeing all the sights and sounds it has to offer. While that is quite a wonderful experience to have, you can’t do all that without having a license. If you live in the state of Colorado, here are a few things you need to know about the process of getting a motorcycle license.
Operating a Motorcycle Legally in Colorado
According to local state law, you need to have a valid driver’s license and a motorcycle endorsement if you want to legally operate a motorcycle on public and private roads. In order to obtain those two things, you need to fulfill a couple of requirements first, including passing a series of tests to prove that you are eligible to get a license and endorsement.
When we talk about an endorsement, it’s not a separate document that you obtain. Instead, the endorsement is included in your driver’s license. The state puts an “M”, which indicates you can drive any type of motorcycle, or a “3”, which indicates you can only drive motorcycles with three wheels.
What are the Motorcycle License Requirements?
To receive your license, you must first receive training from driver’s education programs within the state. There are dozens of accredited driver’s ed centers that provide DMV-mandated training. This will help you pass the written and skills tests to secure your Colorado license.
Now that you have a valid license, you can now focus on getting that endorsement you need to drive a motorcycle. There are two different ways to acquire an “M’ for your driver’s license:
- You can take a motorcycle written exam and purchase an instruction permit after passing it. Next is taking a driving skills test. After passing both, only then can you purchase a new license to add the endorsement to your existing one.
- Completing a Motorcycle Operator Safety Training course is also another way of obtaining the endorsement. You just have to bring proof of completion to the DMV then purchase a new driver’s license with an updated endorsement.
Requirement for Minors
For those under the age of 18, the requirements are a bit different. Before you receive your license, you must first do the following:
- Obtain an “Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship”, which is basically a signed permission slip from your parents or legal guardian.
- Get a motorcycle riding permit and hold it for at least a year to become eligible for an endorsement. At this point, you should be at least 16 years old to get the official endorsement.
For those between the ages of 15 and 16, you need to finish a Motorcycle Operator Skills Training (MOST) program before getting an endorsement.
Practice Your Riding Skills
Before taking any of the tests mentioned above, make sure you practice all the riding and driving skills you’ve learned. It’s not enough to just complete the training. If you really want to appreciate riding a motorcycle, you need to be skilled enough to ride it safely and securely.
Conclusion
Even if you managed to buy the best motorcycle in the market, it wouldn’t matter if you don’t have a valid license with you. Follow these steps and make sure you learn everything you can about driving before going out on the road.
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