What a motorcycle endorsement is, who needs one, and how to add it to your Illinois driver license.
Illinois does not use a separate motorcycle 'endorsement' added to an existing license — instead it adds a motorcycle classification to your Illinois driver's license. Class L authorizes a motor-driven cycle with less than 150cc displacement; Class M authorizes any motorcycle or motor-driven cycle (Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual p.2).
To obtain a motorcycle classification you must pass a separate motorcycle examination — a knowledge test and the on-cycle Rider Skill Test — at a Secretary of State Driver Services facility. If you test on a three-wheeled vehicle a J-11 restriction is added, and on a four-wheeled vehicle a J-17 restriction, until you complete a two-wheeled test (p.2, 38).
| Endorsement | Motorcycle-Only License | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Drivers who already hold an Illinois 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 |
If you are age 16 or older, hold a valid Illinois driver's license, and successfully complete a motorcycle training course approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), you are not required to pass the written or driving examination at a Driver Services facility — you already passed a skills test at the end of the course (Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual p.2, 37).
To use the course in place of the tests you must present an IDOT Motorcycle Rider Education Course completion card dated after January 1, 1993, along with proper identification. The completion card is valid for one year after its issue date. Riders 16 and 17 are required to complete this course regardless (p.2, 38).
The Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual does not publish motorcycle examination or license fees. Confirm current fees and required documents with the Illinois Secretary of State before visiting a Driver Services facility.
The motorcycle classification is part of your Illinois driver's license and renews together with it — there is no separate motorcycle renewal cycle. If you change between classifications (under 150cc and 150cc-and-over) the license plate must be sent to the Secretary of State with transfer and title applications and the appropriate fee (p.3).
Source: Some test details are confirmed by the state agency; the rest reflect the consensus of major rider-education sources. The Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual does not publish a question count or passing score; it includes only 4 sample knowledge questions. The 15-question, 12-to-pass (80%) figure shown here is the format used for the motorcycle endorsement supplement; a full Class M applicant may also take a general-knowledge test.