Vermont Motorcycle Endorsement Guide

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

What Is a Motorcycle Endorsement?

Vermont adds motorcycle authority as an endorsement on your existing license — a Vermont Driver's License, Junior Driver's License, or Commercial Driver's License — rather than a separate license class. Every resident who operates a motorcycle on a Vermont highway must hold a valid license with this endorsement (VT manual p.7, 10).

On request, the Commissioner may issue a restricted endorsement for three-wheel motorcycles only. An applicant who takes the skills test on a three-wheeled motorcycle receives an endorsement restricted to three-wheel operation.

Endorsement vs. Motorcycle-Only License

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

Hold a valid Vermont license and get a Motorcycle Learner Permit (by passing the knowledge test or completing the 4-hour VMAP course).
Study the Vermont Motorcycle Manual and pass the motorcycle knowledge test (the $11.00 fee) if you have not already.
Practice under the learner-permit restrictions — daylight only, no passengers, in Vermont only — for up to 120 days (renewable twice).
Schedule and pass the off-road skills test (the $23.00 road-test fee), bringing an approved helmet, eye protection, an insurance card, and a registered, inspected motorcycle.
Once you pass, the motorcycle endorsement is added to your license for a fee of $4.00 per year of license validity; credentials from a rider course arrive by mail in about 2-3 weeks.

MSF Course Waiver

The Vermont Rider Education Program (VREP) offers state-sponsored courses. Completing the 15-hour Basic Rider Course (BRC) waives both the DMV knowledge and skills tests, and the Department issues the endorsement (VT manual p.4, 10-11).

The Experienced Rider License Waiver course waives the skills test only — riders must already be able to perform basic skills. For course information or to find a site, call 800-529-2535 (Vermont only) or visit dmv.vermont.gov.

Cost & Renewal

The motorcycle endorsement fee is $4.00 per year of license validity. The knowledge test costs $11.00 and the road (skills) test costs $23.00; a learner permit may be renewed twice.

The endorsement renews together with the rest of your Vermont license — there is no separate renewal cycle. Your motorcycle must still pass a safety inspection once each year.

Start With the Knowledge Test

Start the Vermont Practice Test →

Get Your Permit Study Guide Test Tips FAQ

Source: Some test details are confirmed by the state agency; the rest reflect the consensus of major rider-education sources. Vermont DMV confirms the 80% knowledge-test pass mark; the 25-question count is the widely reported standard (the VN-008 manual states fees but not the count). Universal helmet law; eye protection required unless the motorcycle has a windshield.