What a motorcycle endorsement is, who needs one, and how to add it to your Oregon driver license.
In Oregon the motorcycle privilege is an endorsement added to your driver license. You must already hold a valid Oregon driver license, be at least 16, and have parental or guardian consent if you are under 18.
A separate three-wheel restricted endorsement lets you operate only three-wheel motorcycles. A moped needs no endorsement at all — any class of driver license covers it.
| Endorsement | Motorcycle-Only License | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Drivers who already hold an Oregon 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 |
Team Oregon course completion determines which DMV tests you skip. The Basic Course (riders 16 and older) waives both the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests. The Intermediate Course (21 and older), the Basic Online Classroom, and the Intermediate Online Classroom each waive only the skills test (p.1).
If you already hold a valid motorcycle license or endorsement from another state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory or a Canadian province, you surrender it and are not required to take a Team Oregon course or the DMV knowledge test. Riders temporarily living out of state may complete an approved course there (MSF Basic RiderCourse, Idaho STAR, California CMSP, Total Control, Motorcycle Ohio MORE, PSS-MEP or WMST) and apply within two years (p.3, 5).
Oregon's manual notes that motorcycle endorsement fees and issuance requirements may vary, so confirm the current amount on OregonDMV.com before you apply. Riders who complete an approved course may qualify for a discount on their motorcycle insurance premium (p.1).
The motorcycle endorsement renews together with your Oregon driver license — there is no separate renewal cycle. You must also carry Oregon's required liability insurance: at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for bodily injury, plus $20,000 for property damage (p.2).
Source: Test details are confirmed on the official agency page. 25 questions confirmed on the official page; the manual states you must answer 20 correctly (80%) to pass. To add an endorsement you must complete an approved Team Oregon rider-education course.