Colorado Motorcycle Endorsement Guide

What a motorcycle endorsement is, who needs one, and how to add it to your Colorado driver license.

What Is a Motorcycle Endorsement?

Colorado adds motorcycle authority to your license as an endorsement, not as a stand-alone license. The general motorcycle endorsement 'M' qualifies you to ride a two- or three-wheel motorcycle. Colorado also issues a separate '3' endorsement that authorizes the operation of three-wheel motorcycles only (Colorado Handbook §1).

Colorado no longer issues new 'Motorcycle Only' licenses — the 'M' is no longer a separate class of license. The motorcycle endorsement is added to a regular or commercial (CDL) driver's license. If you pass your skills test on a three-wheel motorcycle, the '3' endorsement appears on your license.

Endorsement vs. Motorcycle-Only License

	Endorsement	Motorcycle-Only License
Who it's for	Drivers who already hold a Colorado license	Riders without a regular driver license
Added to	Your existing license	Issued as its own license
Knowledge test	Motorcycle knowledge test	Motorcycle knowledge test
Lets you drive a car	Yes — keeps your car privileges	No — motorcycle only

How to Add the Endorsement — Steps

Be at least 16 years old, and obtain a motorcycle instruction permit (under-18 applicants need a signed Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship).
Pass the driving-record review, the physical-aptitude review and the vision test.
Pass the 25-question motorcycle written knowledge test — 20 correct (80%) to pass.
Pass the motorcycle operator's skills test at a State Driver's License Office or with a certified third-party tester, on a registered and insured motorcycle with an engine over 50cc — or have the skills test waived with an approved Basic Rider Course.
Pay the required fees; the 'M' (or '3') endorsement is then added to your Colorado driver's license.

MSF Course Waiver

Colorado's Motorcycle Operator Safety Training (MOST) program offers a Basic Rider Course for new riders, with motorcycles, helmets and study material provided. Successful completion of the Basic Rider Course waives the on-cycle skills test for your motorcycle endorsement (Colorado Handbook, back cover).

The course waiver applies to the skills test only. Every applicant must still pass the written motorcycle knowledge test. Three-wheel motorcycle rider education is also available in Colorado for riders pursuing the '3' endorsement.

Cost & Renewal

You pay the required fees when you add the motorcycle endorsement. The Colorado DMV calculates the exact amount based on your license type and how much time remains on your license; confirm current fees on dmv.colorado.gov before you apply.

The motorcycle endorsement renews together with the rest of your Colorado driver's license — there is no separate motorcycle renewal cycle.

Start With the Knowledge Test

Start the Colorado Practice Test →

Get Your Permit Study Guide Test Tips FAQ

Source: Sources differ on this state's test details; the most credible consensus is shown. Confirm with the state agency. The motorcycle knowledge test consists of 25 questions; you must answer 20 correctly (80%) to pass. The question count is third-party consensus — the official DMV page does not publish it. An approved Basic Rider Course can waive the on-cycle skills test, but every applicant must still pass the written knowledge test.