Motorcycles are one of the best types of vehicles to be used in crowded cities, and the state of New Jersey is definitely one of the US states that have the most registered motorcycles, with more than 330 000 registered motorcycles.
Getting a motorcycle license in New Jersey is not a complicated process, especially if you first want to complete a rider-training course.
So how do you get a motorcycle license in New Jersey? As a general rule, you need to complete an approved Basic Rider Course and pass the vision and knowledge test. You will also have to pass a motorcycle road test and, lastly, obtain your motorcycle license. There are slight differences between if you have a driver’s license or not.
In this article, we will cover how to get a motorcycle license in the state of New Jersey. Stay with us to get all the information needed, as we will cover everything about the process of getting a motorcycle license.
Table of Contents
What Do You Need for a New Jersey Motorcycle License?
To get a motorcycle license in New Jersey, you will need to complete a couple of steps.
If you already have a New Jersey driver’s license, you will have to meet the following requirements:
- Pass the Basic Rider Course (BRC) from approved motorcycle schools in New Jersey or apply for a motorcycle permit
- Practice motorcycle riding for a minimum of 20 days following permit restrictions. This needs to be done only if you skip the BRC class
- Pass a motorcycle skills test (not needed if you complete the BRC class)
- Pass the motorcycle knowledge test (not needed if you complete the BRC class)
- Pass a vision exam
- Pay a motorcycle license endorsement fee
- Be a minimum of 17 years old (for a probationary license)
- Have 6 points of ID
If you don’t have a valid driver’s license, you will have to meet the following requirements:
- Get a New Jersey motorcycle permit
- Complete a knowledge test
- Pass a vision test
- Practice motorcycle riding with a permit for a minimum of 6 months if you are younger than 21 or 3 months if you are older than 21
- Complete the Basic Riding Course (BRC). this is not required, but if you don’t complete the course can lead to license restrictions
- Pass the New Jersey motorcycle road test
- Pay required fees to get a Probationary Motorcycle License
- Complete 1 year of probationary motorcycle riding before you apply for an unrestricted motorcycle license and pay an additional fee
- Have 6 points of ID
You need to be a minimum of 17 years old in New Jersey to get a motorcycle license, but this will only be a probationary license. 17-year-olds need to complete the BRC class before they can get a New Jersey motorcycle license or endorsement. If you want to get an unrestricted license, you will need to be a minimum of 18 years old.
The procedure of getting a motorcycle license is a little bit different in case you have a valid driver’s license and if you don’t have it. It also depends on whether you want an endorsement or a standalone motorcycle license. Completing a New Jersey motorcycle license class will also have an effect on the process of getting a motorcycle license.
How to Get a New Jersey Motorcycle License? How to Skip Written & Road Tests with New Jersey Motorcycle Classes?
The state of New Jersey doesn’t demand that you complete motorcycle classes in order to get a motorcycle license or permit, but it would be a smart thing to do. If you already possess a valid driver’s license, passing a BRC will have the following benefits for you:
- You don’t need to complete the road test requirement
- You don’t need to complete the written test requirement
- You don’t need a motorcycle permit
- Can get a motorcycle insurance discounts
The next thing we will show you is how to get your motorcycle driver’s license in New Jersey if you have a Basic Rider Course.
Step 1: Finish the Approved Basic Rider Course (BRC)
Completing New Jersey motorcycle classes is the fastest way to get a New Jersey MVC motorcycle license. You can find many approved motorcycle schools in New Jersey, and the fees depend on the provider.
Tip: Although you can borrow DOT-approved helmets from the providers, it would be best for you to get your own helmet.
You will also have to wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, boots or shoes covering the ankles, eye protection, and full-fingered gloves.
The course consists of online and classroom instructions and hands-on instruction, and it takes around 18 hours, divided into three days. The price is around 325$, and you can find providers that offer you discount for first responders, students, military members, and family members.
Rider Education of NJ has five locations and is the biggest provider and offers BRC for 335$ or 99$ for the 3-wheel course. You must complete the eCourse before you attend the course.
Here is a list of providers that offer you a motorcycle safety course in New Jersey.
Step 2: Pass the Vision Test and Get a Motorcycle Endorsement
After successfully completing the safety course, you can now submit an application for a motorcycle endorsement in New Jersey. You will need to go to one of the Motorcycle Vehicle Commission locations that offer driver testing and complete a vision test. You can add a motorcycle endorsement to your license without any extra requirements; you will only need to pay a 24$ fee.
Extra Steps You Will Need to Do if You Don’t Have a Driver’s License
If you don’t have a valid driver’s license, you will need to complete the following extra steps before getting your New Jersey motorcycle license.
Step 1: Complete a Knowledge and Vision Test to Obtain a Motorcycle Permit
The first step you will need to do is to submit a New Jersey motorcycle permit application which is a Form BA-412C, and you can go to the Motorcycle Vehicle Commission location in New Jersey and apply for a motorcycle permit, and you will need to pay a 5$ fee. You will need to complete a vision and knowledge test successfully to obtain your motorcycle permit.
You can write the New Jersey motorcycle written test at any of the MVC driver testing centers. You will need to make an appointment for writing this test, and you can make an appointment for a Motorcycle Vehicle Commission knowledge test appointment by clicking here.
We want you to be best prepared as possible, so here are some resources from where you can study for the New Jersey written test:
- NJ MVC Motorcycle Handbook
- New Jersey MVC Sample knowledge test
- Free New Jersey motorcycle license study guide including a practice test along with hints
Step 2: Practice Your Motorcycle Riding
After you have obtained your motorcycle permit, now is the time to practice your riding skills while at the same time following all the New Jersey motorcycle rules and regulations. You are not allowed to ride on state toll roads such as the New Jersey Turnpike, ride with a passenger or ride at nighttime.
Riders older than 21, will need to practice their motorcycle riding skills for 3 months, and they will need to be careful not to get any driving citations or suspensions. For riders that are under 21, they will need to practice their motorcycle riding skills for a minimum of 6 months.
Step 3: Finish the Basic Rider Course (BRC)
After completing the vision test and the knowledge test, you are now prepared to go to a safety course.
To learn more about New Jersey motorcycle classes, click on this link, where we will give you all the providers and their locations.
Step 4: Finish the Motorcycle Road Test
You will need to pass the New Jersey Motorcycle Vehicle Commission (MVC) motorcycle test if you don’t have a valid driver’s license. If you pass the Basic Rider Course (BRC), it won’t waive this requirement.
After you have completed practicing your motorcycle riding skills with your New Jersey motorcycle permit for the required amount of time (3 or 6 months) and you have finished a Basic Rider Course, you are now allowed to apply for a probationary motorcycle license.
To apply for a probationary motorcycle license, you will need to pass a motorcycle skills test first at an MVC test site, and to do so; you need to schedule yourself. You can schedule it at a driver testing center, or you can do it online between Monday and Friday from 8 am to 4 pm by clicking on this link.
Step 5: Get a New Jersey Probationary Motorcycle License
Once you have passed the road test successfully, you will need to pay 24$ fee for getting a Class E probationary motorcycle license. You will need to have your probationary motorcycle license for one year, and you must follow graduated driver’s license restrictions, such as not riding your motorcycle between 11 pm and 5 am.
Step 6: Get an Unrestricted Motorcycle License
You can now get an unrestricted New Jersey motorcycle license after you have a probationary motorcycle license for one year. You will also need to pay an additional 24$ fee for turning your probationary motorcycle license into the full motorcycle license. Luckily, this time you don’t need to pass any additional tests.
You can upgrade your probationary motorcycle New Jersey license by clicking on this link.
How to Get a New Jersey Motorcycle License Without Going to Motorcycle School
For anyone who wants to know how to get a New Jersey motorcycle license without going to motorcycle school, there are some additional steps you will need to follow in order to get a motorcycle endorsement or license.
Here are simplified steps for obtaining your motorcycle license without having to go to classes:
If you possess a valid driver’s license:
- Pass a knowledge test and vision test
- Obtain a motorcycle permit
- Practice motorcycle ride for a minimum of 20 days
- Finish a motorcycle road test
- Pay the fee
- Get a motorcycle endorsement
If you do not possess a valid driver’s license:
- Pass a knowledge test and vision test
- Obtain a motorcycle permit
- Practice motorcycle ride for a minimum of 3 months if you are over 21 or 6 months if you are under 21
- Finish a motorcycle road test
- Obtain a probationary motorcycle license and ride a motorcycle for a minimum of 1 year with restrictions
- Pay the fee
- Obtain an unrestricted motorcycle license
Here you can practice motorcycle knowledge tests from DMV Practice Test Master:
Motorcycle License vs Motorcycle Endorsement in New Jersey; What Is the Difference?
For some of you who may think about what is the difference between a motorcycle license and a motorcycle endorsement, here in this chapter, we will tell you the difference.
A Motorcycle Endorsement is an extra credential that enables you to ride motorcycles legally in the state of New Jersey, and it is added to your existing New Jersey driver’s license.
A Motorcycle License is a document that allows riders to ride a motorcycle in the state of New Jersey legally, but it is for the riders who don’t have a valid driver’s license. A rider can not use his motorcycle license (not endorsement) to drive any other motor-operated vehicle; he can only use it to ride motorcycles.
FAQ New Jersey Motorcycle License
How Much Does a Motorcycle License in New Jersey Cost?
24$ is the price of the basic New Jersey motorcycle endorsement or license fee. You will maybe need to pay additionally 5$ for a motorcycle permit, 24$ for a probationary license, and approximately 350$ for a BRC class.
What Is the Minimum Age for Getting a Motorcycle License in New Jersey?
The minimum age is 18, and this will allow you to obtain an unrestricted motorcycle license in New Jersey. However, if you are 17, you can apply for a probationary motorcycle license, but you need to complete a safety course first.
How Long Is a New Jersey Motorcycle Permit Good for?
A 5$ NJ motorcycle permit is good for 90 days.
How Long Do You Need a New Jersey Motorcycle Permit Before You Can Obtain a Motorcycle License?
You will need to wait for about 20 days before taking a road test to obtain a motorcycle endorsement in case you already have a driver’s license if you are required to get a motorcycle permit.
Will I Have to Take a Road Test to Get a New Jersey Motorcycle License?
If you pass the Basic Rider Course, you can get a waiver for the road test, which means that you won’t need to take the road test. This will enable you to obtain a motorcycle endorsement without the skill test.
Final Thoughts
Motorcycles are very beneficial transportation assets that allow you to get faster from one point to another while, of course respecting speed limits and other traffic regulations and laws.
This article will help you get a motorcycle license or endorsement, and all you need to do is follow everything described above and, of course, trust your riding abilities.
Take care.