How to Get a Motorcycle License in Connecticut (Endorsement Steps & Rider Courses)

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In Connecticut, there’s no separate “motorcycle license.” Instead, you add a motorcycle endorsement, marked with the letter “M,” to your regular Connecticut driver’s license. The process is straightforward, but there’s one step you can’t skip: an approved novice motorcycle safety course.

This guide covers each step, the permit rules, rider course options, fees, and the laws new riders need to know.

Who Needs a Motorcycle Endorsement in Connecticut?

According to the Connecticut DMV’s motorcycle manual, any Connecticut driver’s license holder who operates a motorcycle needs an “M” endorsement. To ride on public roads, you need a valid driver’s license with either a motorcycle endorsement or a motorcycle learner’s permit.

Some people riding in Connecticut don’t need a Connecticut endorsement. The manual says non-residents and temporary residents with a valid out-of-state license that authorizes motorcycle operation may not need one. That can include members of the Armed Forces, college students, and non-residents working in Connecticut.

Mopeds Are Different

Connecticut treats a motor-driven cycle (moped) differently from a motorcycle. You need a valid driver’s license to ride a moped, but not a motorcycle endorsement. Check the motorcycle manual’s definition to see which category your bike falls into.

Requirements at a Glance

  • A valid Connecticut driver’s license
  • A notarized parental consent form (Form 2-D) if you’re under 18
  • Passing the motorcycle knowledge and vision tests at a DMV office
  • Completing a novice motorcycle training course approved by the DMV
  • Paying the testing and endorsement fees

Because you need a Connecticut driver’s license first, the first step for most riders is getting their regular car license. If you’re still working on that, see our guides and find driving schools for car lessons.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your “M” Endorsement

Step 1: Study the Motorcycle Manual

The motorcycle knowledge test is 16 questions, drawn from the Connecticut Motorcycle Operator’s Manual and the Connecticut Driver’s Manual. Both are free on the DMV’s manuals page. The motorcycle manual is based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s operator manual and covers gear, controls, braking, cornering, and riding in traffic.

Step 2: Take the Knowledge and Vision Tests

Book an in-person appointment at a full-service DMV office. The vision test checks how clearly you see, your side vision, and depth and color perception.

The DMV lists a $40 fee for the knowledge and vision tests. Fees can change, so check the current amount on the DMV’s motorcycle learner’s permit page.

Step 3: Get a Motorcycle Learner’s Permit (Optional)

After you pass the tests, you can choose to get a motorcycle learner’s permit. It isn’t required to take the Basic Rider Course, but it lets you practice on the road. Some courses, like the Intermediate Rider Course, do require one.

Also note: the Connecticut DMV says that, effective January 1, 2026, anyone applying for a learner’s permit must complete the free online Connecticut Work Zone Safety Course. Confirm with the DMV whether it applies to your motorcycle permit application before your appointment.

The DMV lists a $16 permit fee. The permit is valid for 60 days and can be renewed once in the same calendar year. The manual also says the permit expires on December 31 of the year you passed the knowledge test, regardless of when it was issued.

Step 4: Complete an Approved Novice Rider Course

This is the required step. To get the “M” endorsement, Connecticut requires you to complete a novice motorcycle safety course approved by the DMV. The course includes classroom and on-motorcycle skills training. The DMV says course completion is valid for two years, so don’t wait too long to finish the process.

Step 5: Add the Endorsement at the DMV

Bring your proof of course completion to a DMV office. The DMV lists a $30 fee to add the “M” endorsement (or an “M” with a “3” restriction if you trained on a three-wheeled motorcycle).

Motorcycle Learner’s Permit Rules

If you get a permit, these restrictions apply while you practice:

  • Carry both your permit and your driver’s license.
  • Daylight riding only. No riding at night.
  • No passengers.
  • No limited-access highways.
  • Connecticut only. No riding out of state.
  • Wear a USDOT- or NHTSA-approved helmet, regardless of your age.
  • Wear eye protection, such as goggles, glasses, a face shield, or a windshield.

Connecticut Rider Courses (CONREP and the Basic Rider Course)

The Connecticut Rider Education Program (CONREP) runs rider training through sponsors around the state, including several CT State Community College campuses and private training centers. The state’s Highway Safety Office notes that the required novice course can be completed through the DMV’s program or a participating private provider.

Basic Rider Course (BRC)

The Basic Rider Course is the novice course for new riders with little or no experience. Based on the state’s course page:

  • Length: About 16 hours total, with six hours of classroom and at least eleven hours of on-cycle instruction.
  • Prerequisites: A valid driver’s license (not necessarily a motorcycle license), the ability to ride a bicycle, and a signed waiver, or a parental permission slip if you’re under 18.
  • Motorcycle: Provided. You can’t use your own bike, except for pre-approved accommodations for riders with disabilities.
  • Testing: The course includes a knowledge test and an on-cycle skills test.
  • The big benefit: When you pass, the Connecticut DMV waives its on-cycle skills test.
  • Insurance: The state notes you may qualify for an insurance discount. Ask your agent.

What to Wear to Class

  • A DOT-approved helmet with eye protection (training sites loan helmets)
  • Full-fingered gloves, preferably leather
  • A long-sleeved shirt or jacket
  • Sturdy pants (no shorts)
  • Footwear that covers your ankles

Other CONREP Courses

  • Intermediate Rider Course (IRC): For novices with some riding experience and a motorcycle learner’s permit. You use your own street-legal motorcycle or scooter.
  • Experienced Rider Course (ERC): For licensed riders with at least six months and 600 miles of experience.
  • Advanced Rider Course (ARC): For practiced riders who want to sharpen safety skills.
  • 3-Wheel Basic Rider Course: For three-wheeled motorcycles. Completion earns a restricted endorsement.

MSF-Curriculum Courses

Rider courses in many states use curriculum from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), including its Basic RiderCourse. Connecticut’s Basic Rider Course page refers to the MSF for the official course description. If you see an MSF course offered in Connecticut, confirm with the provider that it’s approved by the Connecticut DMV for the endorsement before you pay.

Private Training Schools

Private motorcycle schools also train new riders in Connecticut. One example listed on our site is the Motorcycle Safety Training Center of New England. With any school, ask whether the course is approved for the Connecticut “M” endorsement, what the fee includes, and whether bikes and helmets are provided. You can browse more motorcycle schools in our directory.

Age Rules and Helmet Laws

  • Under 18: You need a notarized parental consent form (2-D) for the permit and endorsement, and a parental permission slip for the Basic Rider Course.
  • Helmets: The current motorcycle manual says that, effective October 1, 2025, riders under 21 must wear protective headgear on a motorcycle or moped. Permit holders must wear an approved helmet at any age.
  • 16- and 17-year-olds: Connecticut’s driving curfew for teen license holders (11 p.m. to 5 a.m., with exceptions for work, school, religious, or medical reasons) applies on a motorcycle too.

Passenger Restrictions for New Riders

Even after you get your endorsement, you can’t carry passengers right away:

  • Riders 18 and older: no passengers for 90 days after getting the endorsement.
  • Riders 16 and 17: no passengers for six months after getting the endorsement.

Military Riders

Active-duty service members with a Connecticut license who are stationed out of state or abroad, and who completed an approved MSF or CONREP course, may be able to waive the endorsement exam and apply by mail. Details are on the DMV’s motorcycle permit page.

Fees Summary

  • Knowledge and vision test: $40
  • Motorcycle learner’s permit: $16
  • Adding the “M” endorsement: $30
  • Rider course: set by the course provider

These are the fees listed by the DMV at the time of writing. Always check the current fee on the DMV site before your appointment.

FAQ

Is a rider course required for a motorcycle license in Connecticut?

Yes. Connecticut requires you to complete a DMV-approved novice motorcycle safety course before it adds the “M” endorsement to your license.

Do I have to take a riding test at the DMV?

If you pass the Basic Rider Course, the state says the DMV waives its on-cycle skills test. You still complete a knowledge test.

Do I need a learner’s permit to take the Basic Rider Course?

No. The Basic Rider Course requires a valid driver’s license, not a motorcycle permit. The Intermediate Rider Course does require a permit.

How old do I have to be to get a motorcycle endorsement in Connecticut?

You need a valid Connecticut driver’s license, which you can get at 16 at the earliest. Riders under 18 also need notarized parental consent.

Do I need my own motorcycle for the course?

Not for the Basic Rider Course. Motorcycles are provided, and training sites loan helmets. More advanced courses require your own street-legal bike.

I have a motorcycle license from another state. Do I need a Connecticut endorsement?

If you’re a non-resident or temporary resident with a valid out-of-state license that allows motorcycle operation, you may not need one. If you’re moving to Connecticut and getting a Connecticut license, contact the DMV about transferring your motorcycle privileges.

Lincoln M
Author: Lincoln M