What a motorcycle endorsement is, who needs one, and how to add it to your Idaho driver license.
In Idaho, the authority to ride a motorcycle is a motorcycle 'M' endorsement added to your existing driver's license (Class A, B, C or D). It is not a separate license — you need both a valid driver's license and the 'M' endorsement to ride on Idaho highways (Idaho Handbook p.16).
To ride a three-wheel motorcycle, Idaho requires either the standard 'M' endorsement or a three-wheel restricted endorsement. The three-wheel restricted endorsement uses the same knowledge test plus a skills test modified for three-wheeled vehicles; testing on a three-wheel vehicle adds a three-wheel-only restriction (Idaho Handbook p.90).
| Endorsement | Motorcycle-Only License | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Drivers who already hold an Idaho 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 |
Successful completion of an approved motorcycle rider training course waives the skills-test requirement, as long as you obtain the endorsement within 25 months of taking the course (Idaho Handbook p.17).
The Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety Program — operated by the College of Southern Idaho — provides this training. Completing STAR's Basic or Intermediate Rider Training waives the skills test for the 'M' endorsement, and a STAR Sidecar/Trike course waives the skills test for a three-wheel-only endorsement. STAR training is associated with a sharply reduced crash risk (Idaho Handbook p.111).
Idaho motorcycle fees are: a one-time 'M' endorsement fee of $15.00, a motorcycle instruction permit of $15.00, a knowledge test of $5.00 (paid to the county), and a skills test of $25.00 (paid to the examiner). All fees are non-refundable (Idaho Handbook p.8).
The 'M' endorsement renews together with your Idaho driver's license — there is no separate motorcycle renewal cycle. However, if a license with an 'M' endorsement has been expired for 25 months or longer, you must pass both the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests again before the endorsement can be reinstated (Idaho Handbook p.16).
Source: Test details reflect the consensus of major rider-education sources — confirm with the state agency before your visit. Idaho's Motorcycle Rider's Handbook does not publish a question count or passing score; it includes only a 10-question practice test. The 25-question, 84%-to-pass figure shown here is a third-party practice format.