How to Get a Motorcycle License in Florida
Florida adds a motorcycle endorsement to your driver license, and the state requires completion of the Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP) Basic Rider Course for all new riders. The course, built on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation curriculum, both teaches you to ride and satisfies the skills requirement.
Step 1: Hold a Florida Driver License (or Learner Permit)
To get a motorcycle endorsement you generally need a Florida driver license. New drivers can start with a learner permit, but the endorsement is added to your regular license.
Step 2: Complete the Basic Rider Course
Florida requires every new motorcyclist to complete an approved Basic Rider Course through the Florida Rider Training Program. This 15-hour course combines classroom and on-cycle instruction using the MSF curriculum.
Approved Florida Training Providers
1. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
The state agency behind the Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP), which uses the MSF curriculum and works with local sponsors to deliver the required Basic Rider Course statewide.
Learn more about Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
2. SafeRide
An approved Florida provider offering the MSF Basic Rider Course in small-group classes across six locations, plus a specialized three-wheel course, with safety gear provided.
Step 3: Add the Endorsement at a Service Center
After you complete the Basic Rider Course, your completion is reported and you visit a driver license service center (or tax collector office) to add the motorcycle endorsement to your license. Bring identification and pay the fee.
Florida-Specific Notes
- Course required for all: Every new rider must complete the FRTP Basic Rider Course, there is no DMV road-test alternative.
- MSF curriculum: Florida's program follows the nationally recognized Motorcycle Safety Foundation curriculum.
- Helmet law: Riders under 21 must wear a helmet; older riders may ride without one if they meet the state's insurance requirement.
For how MSF course completion works generally, see our MSF Basic RiderCourse & DMV test waiver guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a course required to get a motorcycle endorsement in Florida?
Yes. Florida requires all new riders to complete the Florida Rider Training Program Basic Rider Course before adding the endorsement.
How long is the Florida Basic Rider Course?
The Basic Rider Course is a 15-hour program combining classroom instruction and on-cycle riding, based on the MSF curriculum.
Do I add an endorsement or get a separate motorcycle license?
Florida adds a motorcycle endorsement to your existing driver license rather than issuing a separate motorcycle license.
Where can I take the course in Florida?
The Florida Rider Training Program works with sponsors statewide. Providers such as SafeRide offer the Basic Rider Course across multiple Florida locations.
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