The state of Florida, especially its most famous city of Miami, is one of the parts of the US with the most sunny days. Having that in mind, what better place there is in the US for enthusiasts and motorcycle riders that enjoy hot summer rides.
However, you need to have a valid motorcycle license to be able to ride a motorcycle in this state. In this article, we will help you with all the necessary information that will be useful for you to get a motorcycle license.
So how do you get a motorcycle license in Miami, Florida? As a general rule, you will need to have a motorcycle license-only or motorcycle license endorsement to ride a motorcycle legally. You will also need to complete a BRC or BRCu course to get a valid license. After passing the course, you need to submit the documentation and pay fees.
Further in this article, we will go more in-depth about all the information that will help you in the process of getting a motorcycle license. Stay with us to find out everything you need to know, from your riding abilities to the legal aspect of getting the motorcycle license. Here we go.
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How to Obtain a Motorcycle License in the state of Florida?
Florida is one of the most popular states in the US, and it is in second place with over 600 000 motorcycle registration. For anyone who wants to get a motorcycle license in Florida, it is good news that the process is pretty simple and easy. It will take you to pass a basic course and pay some fees. Here is a complete guide for getting a Florida motorcycle license.
Requirements for Florida Motorcycle License
If you want to ride a two-wheel or three-wheel motorcycle with an engine stronger than 50 CCs in Florida, you must get a valid motorcycle license. The state of Florida has two types of motorcycle licenses:
- A motorcycle license endorsement
- A motorcycle-only license
These two licenses have one difference, and that is whether or not you can drive a car or not. If you have a motorcycle license endorsement in Florida, you can drive a car and ride a motorcycle, while in case of having just a motorcycle-only license, you can only ride a motorcycle, and you are not allowed to drive a car.
Riding a motorcycle without any of these valid licenses means that you are breaking the law, and if a police officer stops you, you will receive a fine and have legal issues.
To get a motorcycle license endorsement, you must:
- Have a valid Class E Florida driver’s license
- Complete the Basic Rider Course updated (BRCu) or Basic RiderCourse (BRC)
- Submit valid ID and proof of passing BRC or BRCu at a driver’s license or tax collector office
- Pay license fees
To get a motorcycle-only license, you must:
- Be at least 16 years of age and possess a learner’s license for one year without any traffic convictions
- Pass the Class E driver’s license knowledge exam
- Complete the Basic RiderCourse (BRC) or Basic Rider Course updated (BRCu) as per FL 322.12
- Pay license fees
Get Your Florida Learner’s Permit
In order to get a motorcycle license, you need to have a learner’s permit for one year without any traffic convictions, and after that, you can proceed with motorcycle-only licensing. To get a Florida motorcycle license which is also known as the motorcycle endorsement, you will need to have a learner’s permit along with a driver’s license. If you already have a valid Class E Florida driver’s license, you can don’t need to do this step.
For starting the process of getting a learner’s permit in the state of Florida, you need to:
- Be a minimum of 15 years old
- Have a notarized and signed parental consent form if you are under the age of 18
- Complete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course
- Complete a hearing and vision test
- Pass Class E Knowledge Exam
You need to have 80% or more to pass the Class E exam, which is a 50 question multiple-choice test. Make sure to get proof of identity/social security number/Florida residence since this is also required for obtaining a learner’s permit in Florida.
Here is a link leading to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, where you can find out all the documents you need to bring and have by your side.
Complete a Basic Rider Course
You need to pass the Basic Rider Course (BRC) or Basic Rider Course updated (BRCu) in order to get a motorcycle license endorsement or motorcycle-only license. These courses can be completed in any authorized Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Florida Rider Training Program sponsor.
These courses are 15 hours long, and you will cover all the basic skills that a new rider needs to know before sitting on a motorcycle.
Note: For anyone who has had a motorcycle license before in any other state, you will still have to complete a basic rider course if you have never done it before.
The price of the BRC in Florida is in the range of around 100-300$, which depends on the location you take it, and this course will take a couple of hours, so plan your entire day only for this occasion.
You will need to take your own gloves and eye protection for the BRCu course. You will need to wear a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long pants, and firm shoes that cover and protect your ankles on the classes. You will get their helmets, handbooks, practice motorcycles, and insurance. The sponsors will inform the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that you have completed the course.
Here are the locations of authorized BRC or BRCu sponsors in Florida are.
If you submit for the BRC and you don’t pass it the first time, you still have 60 days to pass it without having to pay any additional fees. The only thing is that you cant repeat the test on the same day.
Here is a helpful video that will help you get a motorcycle permit:
Submit Documentation and Pay Fees
After passing the basic rider course, you will have to go to a driver’s license or tax collector office, so they endorse your Class E driver’s license or issue your motorcycle-only license. Once you get there, they will ask you to give them your ID card.
They will probably have a record that you completed the basic rider course, but just in case, have a copy of the certificate issued with you.
You will also need to pay some fees in order to get a Florida motorcycle license at the office. These are the fees in Florida for getting a motorcycle license:
- Endorsed license: $7.00 endorsement fee; plus $6.25 fee at tax collector offices
- Motorcycle-only license: $48 new license fee; plus $6.25 fee at tax collector offices
There is a one-year period of grace between the BRC or BRCu course and your license being endorsed or issued. You will have to retake a Rider Skills test before getting a motorcycle license or endorsement after one year.
Florida Motorcycle License FAQ
What is the Minimum Age to Get a Motorcycle License in the State of Florida?
You need to be 16 years old and have a learner’s license for one year, and you mustn’t have any traffic convictions to get a Florida motorcycle license.
How Much Does a Motorcycle License in Florida Cost?
You need to pay 7$ for a motorcycle endorsement license and 6.25$ additional fee if you decide to go to a tax collector’s office to get your endorsement. 48$ is the price of a motorcycle-only license, with an extra 6.25$ transaction fee to be paid at the tax collector’s office. Paying the BRC is an extra price.
What Is the Difference Between a Florida Motorcycle Endorsement and Motorcycle-only Permit?
A motorcycle-only license is a document that enables you only to ride your motorcycle, while a motorcycle endorsement license is an extra document on your Class E Florida driver’s license, which doesn’t expire and allows you to ride a motorcycle.
Do You Need to Have a Motorcycle Insurance in Florida?
You don’t need to have motorcycle insurance in Florida when you register your motorcycle. However, there is a chance you will need to get motorcycle insurance if you are responsible for a motorcycle accident where someone is injured, or some property is damaged.
Do I Need to Take a BRC or BRCu Class if I Already Have a Motorcycle License from Another State?
The state of Florida reciprocates motorcycle licenses and motorcycle endorsed licenses from all the states in the United States Except the state of Alabama. You may have to go to the BRC course if it has expired, and if you are going to move from Alabama to Florida, the state of Florida will require you the proof that you have successfully completed a Motorcycle Safety Foundation course in the period of one year.
After completing all of these requirements, you will have a proper motorcycle license, and you will be able to ride a motorcycle in Florida.
Final Thoughts
Riding a motorcycle is one of the best feelings I have experienced in my life, and other riders will probably tell you the same. That is why having a valid motorcycle license is important for you to be able to ride a motorcycle legally. This article will help you in the process of getting a valid motorcycle license in Florida.