Passenger Restriction Laws for Motorcycle Permit Holders
Motorcycle operators 16 and 17 years old may not transport passengers for the first six months that they hold a motorcycle endorsement.  Motorcycle operators 18 years old or older may not transport passengers the first three months of having a motorcycle endorsement.

Obtaining a Motorcycle Permit:
To obtain a motorcycle permit you must be at least 16 years of age and have a valid driver's license.  A permit can be obtained at any DMV full service branch office .  No appointment is necessary.  Effective November 18, 2009, there will be new walk-in testing hours.

 Both the Motorcycle Manual English version and the Connecticut driving manual for new drivers English version or Spanish version should be reviewed.

If you hold a valid out of state drivers license, you will be required to present all documentation (identification, address verification, etc.) necessary to obtain a Connecticut driver's license before the motorcycle permit can be issued.  Please see our Driver's Licenses and Identification pages for more information.  After successful completion of the motorcycle testing requirements, and before the motorcycle endorsement can be issued, you must obtain a Connecticut driver's license.

The following documents are required to obtain a motorcycle permit:

• Driver's License.
• Certificate of Parental Consent (form 2-D) with a notarized seal if under the age of eighteen or parent, legal guardian, spouse over 18 years of age.
• Application for a Non-Commercial Driver's License (form-R229), which can be completed at the time of the test.
• $40 testing fee (see acceptable forms of payment).
• $15 motorcycle permit fee.

You must pass a vision exam and a law test before a permit is issued.

The law test has 16 questions, you must answer at least 12 correctly to pass. If you fail the test(s), the $40 testing fee is not refunded. A re-exam is allowed any day after the initial failure.

The permit allows you to drive the motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement for 60 days subject to conditions specified:

1. Valid in Connecticut only.
2. Valid during daylight use only.
3. Not valid for carrying passengers.
4. Not valid on multiple lane limited access highways.
5. Vision protecting devise must be used, including but not limited to goggles, glasses, face shields, windshields and wind screens.
6. Protective headgear of a type which conforms to the minimum specifications established by regulations adopted under Public Act 89-242 must be worn while operating a motorcycle.

Obtaining a Motorcycle Endorsement (Road Test):

Applicants not completing the CONREP  must take the DMV motorcycle road test within the 60 day permit period at certain DMV full service branch offices (Bridgeport, Danbury, New Britain, Old Saybrook and Waterbury excluded).  You must make an appointment for the road test by either calling the DMV Telephone Center or in person at any DMV Branch Office.  You will then receive an appointment confirmation letter in the mail.  Note:   All applicants who have successfully completed the CONREP  are not required to perform the DMV motorcycle road test.  The vision and law test is still required (please see above requirements for obtaining a permit).

Generally, the applicant schedules the road test for the office where the permit was issued, if that office gives motorcycle road tests. If the office that issued the permit is not an office which gives motorcycle road tests (Bridgeport, Danbury, New Britain, Old Saybrook or Waterbury) that office will refer the applicant to the appropriate office (in close proximity) for the road test appointment.

At the time of the appointment you must bring the following items with you:

• Motorcycle permit.
• Driver's license.
• Motorcycle that you will be using for the road test.
• Motorcycle registration.
• Connecticut Insurance Card for the motorcycle.
• Appointment confirmation letter that you received in the mail.
• If applicant is 16 or 17 years of age, you must present a certificate of successful completion of the CONREP  (the road test is waived).  You must also bring a parent, legal guardian, spouse over 18 years of age or a completed Certificate of Parental Consent (form 2-D), with a notarized seal.

After successful completion of the motorcycle road test, you will surrender your current driver's license and motorcycle permit, and will be issued a new license with a motorcycle endorsement (M).  There is no additional fee for this.  Please note that any person 16 or 17 years of age who has been issued a motorcycle endorsement may not transport any passenger on a motorcycle for the first six months after obtaining the endorsement, three months if 18 years of age or older.

Canceling an Appointment:

Inclement Weather:

Motorcycle road tests are occasionally cancelled due to inclement weather.  The decision to cancel will be made the day of your test.  If there is inclement weather on your test day, please call the DMV Telephone Center to confirm that testing is being conducted.

Failed Road Tests:

If you fail the motorcycle road test, you can retest by appointment anytime after two weeks of the initial failure. The fee for a retest is $40.

Expired Permits:

If your motorcycle permit is expired please see instructions on renewing a motorcycle permit.