How to Get a Motorcycle License with a Car License?
3 Answers
With a car license, you can apply for an additional motorcycle license. Before applying, you must ensure that you have not accumulated 12 penalty points in the previous scoring cycle. To apply for an additional vehicle category, in addition to filling out the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Application Form" and submitting relevant documents, you must also provide your current driver's license. Regulations for applying for additional vehicle categories: 1. Applying for a medium-sized bus license: You must have held a license for urban buses, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed trucks, or three-wheeled vehicles for at least three years, and have no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in the three most recent consecutive scoring cycles before applying. 2. Applying for a tractor license: You must have held a medium-sized bus or large truck license for at least three years, or a large bus license for at least one year, and have no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in the three most recent consecutive scoring cycles before applying. 3. Applying for a large bus license: You must have held a license for urban buses, medium-sized buses, or large trucks for at least five years, or a tractor license for at least two years, and have no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in the five most recent consecutive scoring cycles before applying.
After obtaining your car driver's license and wanting to get a motorcycle license, I recommend going directly to the DMV to apply for an additional endorsement. Bring your ID, car driver's license, and medical examination report, and the staff will guide you through filling out the forms and arranging the tests. The theoretical exam overlaps with the car test bank, and I passed it easily after two weeks of practice using a driving test app. The key to the practical skills test is balance, such as leaning your body with the bike during cone-weaving exercises—don’t be as stiff as when driving a car. Finally, don’t take the road test lightly; wearing a helmet is a strict requirement—I’ve seen people fail instantly for forgetting it. The whole process can be completed in as little as a month, but if you’ve never ridden a motorcycle before, it’s best to practice starting and braking in an open area first.
Adding a motorcycle endorsement is actually quite efficient. I enrolled in a weekend driving school class, where the instructor emphasized the differences from cars: shifting gears by stepping on the clutch with your foot and turning by shifting your body weight. The theory test included an additional 20% on motorcycle traffic rules, such as no highway riding and passenger restrictions. The challenging parts of the practical test were the single-plank bridge and hill parking—you had to practice until you could control the bike with one hand to be considered stable. The cost was cheaper than getting a first-time license, and having an old license could exempt you from some training hours. Also, note that you can't add a motorcycle endorsement during the probation period of a car license, and accumulating 12 points for speeding violations will affect your eligibility to apply.
