West Virginia Motorcycle Endorsement Guide

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

What Is a Motorcycle Endorsement?

West Virginia adds motorcycle authority as an 'F' endorsement on your existing driver's license, rather than a separate license class. If you do not hold a driver's license, you can instead obtain a motorcycle-only license.

To ride a two-wheel motorcycle legally on West Virginia roads, your license must carry this endorsement; riding without it is a traffic violation.

Endorsement vs. Motorcycle-Only License

	Endorsement	Motorcycle-Only License
Who it's for	Drivers who already hold a West Virginia 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 WV driver's license (or, if under 18, complete the Level 2 intermediate / Class E license first).
Pass the motorcycle knowledge and vision tests at a DMV office to get your motorcycle instruction permit.
Practice under the permit restrictions — daylight only, no passenger — for the life of the 180-day permit.
After holding the permit at least seven days, schedule and pass the on-cycle skills test (or waive it with an approved Basic RiderCourse).
Once you pass, the 'F' endorsement is added to your license for a fee of about $1 per year of license validity.

MSF Course Waiver

The West Virginia Motorcycle Safety Program offers the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic RiderCourse at sites across the state, generally April through October. You must already have your motorcycle instruction permit to use the course as a license waiver.

Students who successfully complete the course receive a completion card that waives the DMV on-cycle skills test; the 'F' endorsement is then placed on the license. Course tuition is commonly around $100.

Cost & Renewal

The motorcycle 'F' endorsement fee is about $1 per year of license validity, added when you qualify. The Basic RiderCourse has a separate tuition.

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

Start With the Knowledge Test

Start the West Virginia 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. The pass standard is widely reported as 19 of 25 (76%) — unusually, not the common 80%; West Virginia publishes no official count, so this is third-party consensus. A rider must hold the instruction permit at least 7 days before the on-cycle skills test. Universal helmet law, and eye protection is required for every rider even if the motorcycle has a windshield.