Florida has over 300 days of sunshine and big, open roads. Woohoo! As a result, Florida is a fantastic place to ride a motorcycle. Of course, like in every other state, you need a license to ride a motorcycle in Florida. Your next question is probably, do you need motorcycle insurance in Florida?
Stay tuned for the answer to this and all your questions. So if you live in Florida and want a motorcycle license, read on. We’ve got the top tips for how to get a motorcycle license in Florida! After reading this, you’ll know exactly what you need to get licensed and hit Florida’s open roads! It’s that easy! So don’t wait and let’s go.
The Sunshine State is a “motorcycle friendly” state. This means Florida has low restrictions on owning and riding a bike. Even better, there are many motorcycle enthusiasts in Florida. So you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make new friends. (Over 620,000 folks in Florida own a motorcycle!) So let’s get you ready to hit the road on your new bike!
How to Get a Motorcycle License in Florida: The Basics
Firstly, yes you need a license to drive a motorcycle in the Sunshine State. If you already have a Florida driver’s license, the only thing you need to get is a motorcycle endorsement. To get this endorsement on your license, you’ll need to complete Florida’s Rider Program.
But, if you don’t have a license yet, follow these steps. First, if you’re between 15 and 18 years old and want only a motorcycle license. You’ll need to get a learner’s permit and have it for a year with no violations or tickets. Otherwise, if you’re over 18, you can skip the permit phase. But, you’ll still need to complete a Basic Rider Course and pass the standard E license exam.
What’s the difference between a motorcycle license and a motorcycle endorsement?
Well, a motorcycle endorsement is only for people who have a license already. In contrast, if you don’t need a car license, you get to go right to the motorcycle license. (With a motorcycle-only license, you can’t drive a car.) Oppositely, the endorsement is for folks who already have a license to drive a car in Florida. The endorsement allows them to drive a motorcycle also.
4 Steps to Get your Motorcycle Endorsement in Florida
Below are four easy steps to getting your motorcycle endorsement (i.e., license) in Florida. Remember, an endorsement is for people who have a valid Florida Class E driver’s license.
Step 1: Make Sure Your Florida Driver’s License is Valid and Current
Your Class E Florida driver’s license needs to be valid and current. Class E Is the standard Florida license for non-commercial drivers. Although, you can also have a class A, B, or C commercial license and apply for a motorcycle endorsement.
Step 2: Take a State-Approved Motorcycle Safety Course
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) sets the curriculum for getting your motorcycle license. They offer two different courses. You must take and pass both to get a motorcycle license or an endorsement in Florida. They include the Basic Rider Course (BRC) and Basic Rider Course Updated (BRCu). Both courses are 15 hours and will prepare you for common motorcycling situations. Of course, this is an important step to driving safely!
By the way, once you’ve completed the safety course, let your insurance company know it and send them proof. Most will give you a discount for completing a state-approved motorcycle safety course.
Step 3: Ensure All your Papers are in Order
With your completed motorcycle safety course and driver’s license, you’re all set! Your next step is to go to your driver’s license office nearby. To get your motorcycle license in Florida, bring all of the following information:
- Your Motorcycle Safety Foundation course completion card. (It must be less than a year old. After a year, you’ll need to retake it.)
- Your current, valid Florida driver’s license.
- $55 to pay licensing fees, including your endorsement and license renewal fees. (Cash or check are both accepted.)
Step 4: Go to Your Local Driver’s License Office to Get Your Endorsement
With all your paperwork and cash in hand, it’s time to go to your local driver’s license office. One interesting thing in Florida is that you can get your endorsement at a tax collector’s office. (Although it’s best to call ahead to make sure they can perform the service for you.)
If everything is in order, you will get your motorcycle endorsement right away. Even better, a Florida motorcycle endorsement never expires. Your motorcycle endorsement renews automatically with your driving license. So you never have to worry about renewing your endorsement.
How to Get a Motorcycle-Only License in Florida
If you don’t have a Florida driver’s license and only want a Motorcycle driver’s license, no problem. The process to get a motorcycle-only driver’s license is more or less the same as a class E driver’s license. (With a couple of extra steps thrown in.)
- You must be at least 15 years of age.
- A parental consent form is needed from your parents if you’re under 18, and it must be notarized also.
- Next, complete Florida’s Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course.
- Then you have to take and pass the Class E Knowledge Exam.
- You must also have a Social Security number and proof of your current address. (Here’s a list of the documents you’ll need.)
- You have to pass an eye and ear exam at the licensing center you use.
Once all this is finished, and you’re 16, you can get your motorcycle license. (The steps are mostly the same as a motorcycle endorsement.)
Do You Need Motorcycle Insurance in Florida?
We’re here to answer all your most important questions about how to get a motorcycle license in Florida. And you do need motorcycle insurance in Florida. In order to get a driver’s license of any kind, you will need proof of insurance. This applies also to a motorcycle license or endorsement. The DMV office will need to see proof of motorcycle insurance to issue you your driver’s license.
If you already have car insurance, you can add motorcycle insurance in Florida to your policy. You can easily extend your policy to include motorcycle coverage. Also, you can look online for better motorcycle insurance rates in Florida. Don’t worry, it’s pretty easy.
You’re Ready to Ride Florida’s Fantastic Freeways!
We hope the information we provided today has empowered you to hit the road and start riding. If you have, congratulations! Get out there and explore the sunshine state.
Have you recently moved to Florida and need to store your things? If so, Hide-Away self-storage can help. We have clean, safe, and secure storage units in Florida, including 16 cities and towns.
They all have on-site managers and 24/7 video security cameras for added security. Plus, our extra-large front gates make getting in and out of your storage unit easy peasy! You can even store your motorcycle in Florida with us!
If you have questions about renting a storage unit, you can chat with Hideaway online anytime. You can also drop by the local Hideaway self-storage center in your Florida town. We love to help. And the onsite manager will be more than happy to answer your questions. Also, they will help you choose the correct self-storage unit to fit your needs. Until then, best of luck getting your Florida motorcycle license! Be safe out there on the road and enjoy everything the Sunshine State has to offer!