A motorcycle license in Kansas allows you to legally operate a motorcycle on public roadways in the state. If you are younger than 21 years of age, then you can apply for a separate motorbike license, which you will carry in addition to any other driving credentials you have obtained from the Department of Revenue (DOR). Once you are 21 years of age or older, you will receive a motorcycle endorsement on your regular driver’s license instead of being issued a separate credential.

Before applying for your license or endorsement, you have the option of getting a permit that will allow you to practice driving as well. A motorcycle permit is not required before you can get a license, but you may find that holding this credential is beneficial. When you are ready to add a Kansas motorbike endorsement or get a license, find out what steps you need to take in the sections below.

What is a Kansas motorcycle endorsement?

Motorcycle endorsements can be added onto a commercial driver’s license (CDL) or a regular driver’s license if you want to operate motorcycles in addition to other classes of vehicles. The M endorsement is only available once you have a full, unrestricted driver’s license and are older than 21 years of age.

When you get an endorsed license, you will receive a new credential that lists an “M” in addition to your original license class. For example, if you had a Class C license before, your new credentials will show Class CM instead to indicate that you are allowed to operate a motorcycle legally.

Motorcycle Permit Requirements in Kansas

You may wish to apply for a motorbike permit if you want to practice riding on the roads before getting your license or endorsement. The minimum motorcycle permit age in Kansas is 14 years of age. While permits are usually obtained by younger drivers, you can still apply for one if you are older and want to practice your skills before applying for an endorsement.

If you are younger than 16 years of age when you apply for a permit, then you must have your parent’s permission. You do not need to take driver’s education before getting a permit, but you may choose to do so.

Required Documents

In most cases, motorcycle permits will not be the first credentials that you apply for at the DOR. If you already hold a driver’s license or instruction permit, then you may not need to provide additional documentation with your permit application. However, you will need to provide evidence of your identity, Kansas residency, Social Security Number and legal presence in the U.S. if you have not already provided this information to the DOR.

Kansas Motorcycle Permit Restrictions

A Class M permit allows you to legally practice riding your motorcycle on public roadways, but it will come with various restrictions put in place to keep you safe. If you are wondering, “What does a motorcycle permit allow you to do?” keep in mind that you must always ride under the supervision of a driver 21 years of age or older with an M class license who is on a separate motorcycle in close proximity to you. Carrying passengers is not allowed when you are driving with an instruction permit.

How to Get a Motorcycle Permit in Kansas

You can apply for a KS motorbike permit by visiting any of the DOR driver license stations in the state. If you are younger than 16 years of age, then your parent or guardian must come with you to the licensing office and sign your application due to the fact that you need written permission to apply for a permit at this age.

Next in the motorcycle permit process, you will need to pass a vision test and written exam. Alternatively, if you are enrolled in driver’s education, you can bring in a DE99 form from your instructor that authorizes the DOR to issue you an instruction permit. Once your credentials are issued, they will expire in one year, but they can be renewed if you want more time to practice.

Kansas Motorcycle License Requirements

The minimum motorcycle license age in Kansas is 16 years of age. If you already hold a driver’s license, then you can simply take a vision test, written test and riding skills test in order to add an endorsement onto your credentials or, if you are younger than 21 years of age, then to get a separate M Class license.

As an alternative to taking your exams, you may choose to enroll in a motorcycle safety course offered through the Kansas Department of Education. Successfully completing motorcycle classes will give you a waiver that you can use to skip your driving test and, in most cases, your knowledge test as well.

Required Documents

When you apply for a motorbike endorsement or license, you will already have a regular driver’s license in your possession in most cases. For this reason, you may not need to provide the same documentation that is required for first-time license applicants. You will, however, need to provide proof of your legal name or current address if any of this information has changed and you need to update your credentials.

How to Get a Motorcycle License in Kansas

When you are ready to apply for your motorcycle drivers license in KS, you must visit a DOR licensing office located anywhere in the state. If you have not completed a rider safety course, then be prepared to take a written motorcycle test and riding skills test when you arrive for your application. Otherwise, you can simply present your certificate of completion to receive a waiver of your tests. In any case, a fee will be charged for your new credentials and you may need to undergo a routine vision screening.

“How long does it take to get a motorcycle license in Kansas?” you may be wondering when you apply. When you add an endorsement onto your license or apply for a separate motorcycle driving credential, you will be issued a new card. Therefore, you will need to wait for your card to arrive in the mail, which may take up to 45 days.

Getting a Kansas Motorcycle License as a New Resident

You must visit a DOR office to transfer your out-of-state motorcycle license if you have just moved to Kansas from a different state. To start, you will provide evidence of your identity and residency in Kansas, which can be done by showing a birth certificate, passport, certificate of naturalization or other documentation in addition to mail sent to your home, a voter registration card or other paperwork that can show where you live.

Next, you must surrender your out-of-state driver’s license and pass a vision exam. In most cases, turning in a valid motorbike endorsement or license from another state will excuse you from taking the written tests and road skills exams required for getting a KS license with an endorsement. Finally, pay any fees that may be due with your transaction.

Note that you cannot transfer a license if your driving privileges are currently suspended, revoked or canceled in any state. You must clear the suspension before a transfer is possible.

Required Motorcycle Classes in Kansas

Enrolling in a motorcycle class is beneficial for numerous reasons. First, taking a class makes it easier to apply for your license due to the fact that your certificate of completion can be used to waive your DOR tests in most cases. Second, and more importantly, a motorcycle safety class will teach you all the basics you need to know in order to be a safe and responsible rider.

A list of course offerings is available from the Kansas Department of Education. Motorcycle classes are provided by third-party organizations that have partnered with the state. You will commonly find course offerings at community colleges, motorcycle retail stores and other similar locations.

Kansas DMV Motorcycle Test Details

Any motorcycle driver’s license applicant may need to have his or her vision tested at the DOR, but this is generally not required for drivers who already have a current driver’s license. In addition, applicants will need to undergo a knowledge test and skills test unless they have completed a rider education program.

The motorcycle written test is based on materials from the Kansas Motorcycle Operator Manual and will cover a variety of information such as safe riding, traffic laws and more. The motorcycle driving test is conducted either in an off-street area or held in traffic depending on the testing location. You should be prepared to identify equipment on your motorcycle and demonstrate your skills at stopping, starting, turning and performing other maneuvers.

Do you need a motorcycle license to drive a scooter in Kansas?

If you hold a Class C license or higher, then you generally do not need a separate motorbike license or endorsement in order to operate a moped or scooter. A moped or motorized bicycle is any two- or three-wheeled vehicle that has no more than 3.5-brake horsepower, an automatic transmission, a top speed of no more than 30 mph and an engine displacement of less than 130cc.

However, you can obtain a special license to operate a motorized bicycle if you are at least 15 years of age and do not have a license yet. Applying for a moped license will require passing a knowledge test and vision exam, after which you will receive a class C license that indicates you are only eligible to operate mopeds.

Kansas Motorcycle License Cost

Motorcycle license fees will be charged when you apply for a new license or add an endorsement. The endorsement fee is $9 if you have a four-year license or $12.50 if you have a six-year license. Getting a separate Class M license when you are younger than 21 years of age will cost $20. The instruction permit fee is $2.

When getting any of these credentials, you will need to pay for your credential to be issued in addition to an $8 photo fee and a $3 fee for any test you may need to take. Overall, your costs will be as follows for various license types:

• $31 for an under-21 license
• $10 for a motorcycle instruction permit
• $32 for a four-year CM license
• $41.50 for a six-year CM license
• $36 for a four-year CDL with an M endorsement
• $47.50 for a six-year CDL with an M endorsement

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