Missouri Motorcycle Endorsement Guide

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

What Is a Motorcycle Endorsement?

In Missouri, the motorcycle privilege is a motorcycle endorsement added to a valid operator or commercial driver license — not a stand-alone code you can hold by itself. A motortricycle (three-wheel) endorsement is handled the same way (Form 2332, p.57).

If you do not already hold a Missouri driver license, you can still be licensed to ride, but you must also pass the Missouri operator's (car) written test in addition to the motorcycle written test.

Endorsement vs. Motorcycle-Only License

	Endorsement	Motorcycle-Only License
Who it's for	Drivers who already hold a Missouri 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

Study the Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual (Form 2332) and get a motorcycle instruction permit to practice.
Pass the motorcycle written knowledge test at a Missouri State Highway Patrol examination station.
Pass the vision examination and the road-sign recognition test.
Pass the Highway Patrol on-cycle skills test — four exercises: a left turn and normal stop, a cone weave and right turn from a stop, a quick stop, and an obstacle swerve (the last two at about 15 mph).
Take your results to a local license office to add the motorcycle endorsement to your license and pay the applicable license fee.

MSF Course Waiver

Completing an approved Missouri Motorcycle Rider Training Course (MRTC) waives BOTH the Highway Patrol written knowledge test and the on-cycle skills test (RSMo 302.173; Form 2332, p.58).

The course-completion card is accepted for one year from the completion date. A non-military MRTC card issued in another state is not accepted, though active-duty military applicants may use a card from an eligible military program. You still complete the vision and road-sign checks at the license office.

Cost & Renewal

The motorcycle instruction permit costs $3.50. The later license/endorsement fee depends on your age and license term (Missouri issues licenses for 3 or 6 years) and is listed on the Department of Revenue fee chart; written-test and road-test fees are separate.

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

Start With the Knowledge Test

Start the Missouri Practice Test →

Get Your Permit Study Guide Test Tips FAQ

Source: Test details reflect the consensus of major rider-education sources — confirm with the state agency before your visit. Built from the official Missouri Motorcycle Operator Manual, Form 2332 (Rev. 03-2019). Missouri/MSHP publish no official knowledge-test count or passing score; 25 questions / 80% (20 correct) is the multi-site practice consensus. Helmet facts reflect the 2020 statute, which postdates the manual.