What to do, what to bring, and what to expect at the MVA office — start to finish.
A Maryland motorcycle learner's permit lets you practice on public roads while you prepare for the Class M motorcycle license. The Class M is a separate Maryland license class, not an endorsement on your Class C.
All testing is by appointment only through the MVA. Confirm current fees, accepted documents and office locations at mva.maryland.gov before you go. The Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program's Basic Rider Course (BRC) or Alternate Basic Rider Course (ABRC) is a fast-track option that waives the on-cycle skills test at the MVA.
You must be at least 16 to apply for a motorcycle learner's permit. Applicants under 18 must also complete an approved motorcycle safety course before earning a Class M license, plus the regular Maryland driver-education requirement for new drivers.
Every motorcycle knowledge-test question is based on the Maryland Motorcycle Operator Manual. Study the SEE strategy, Slow-Look-Press-Roll curves, braking and swerving, lane positions, and Maryland's helmet, eye-protection, BAC and lane-sharing rules.
By appointment only, the MVA administers a vision test, a road-sign test, a motorcycle written examination, and (for the full license) an on-cycle skill test. The motorcycle written exam is 25 questions; 21 of 25 (84%) is the standard passing score.
While on the learner's permit you must always be accompanied by, and under the immediate supervision of, a licensed motorcycle operator who is at least 21 and has held a motorcycle license for three or more years. The supervising rider may be on another motorcycle, on foot, or in another vehicle within safe traveling distance.
The Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program's Basic Rider Course (BRC, about 7 hours classroom + 10 hours on-cycle) or Alternate Basic Rider Course (ABRC, 7 hours) provides training motorcycles, classroom instruction and on-cycle practice. Pass the course and the licensing certificate waives the MVA on-cycle skills test.
The MVA skill test includes a U-turn, sharp right turn from a stop, cone weave, normal stop, quick stop from about 15 mph and an obstacle swerve at 12-20 mph. Eleven or more penalty points, four engine stalls, dropping the motorcycle or a traffic violation ends the test as a fail.
Check the official MVA page for current fees and accepted forms of payment.
Source: Test details are confirmed on the official agency page. The motorcycle knowledge test requires 84% to pass — 21 of 25 correct. The 88% threshold (22 correct) applies to the standard Class C learner's permit, not the motorcycle test. Maryland adopts FMVSS 218 as the helmet standard and also requires approved eye protection unless the motorcycle has an approved windscreen at the proper height. The Maryland Motorcycle Safety Program Basic Rider Course (BRC) or Alternate Basic Rider Course (ABRC) waives the on-cycle skills test at the MVA. Lane sharing is prohibited.