License Types
Arizona issues a motorcycle license that does not expire until age 65. However, your photo and eye test will need to be updated every 12 years. Drivers age 60 and older will receive a five-year license. To apply for a motorcycle license, you will need to complete a Driver License / Identification Card Application.
Temporary residents, such as out-of-state students and their family members or military personnel and their family members, may apply for a five-year license regardless of age.
Licenses are issued by "class": M for motorcycle, G for graduated, D for operator, and A, B, C for commercial. If the class M license is combined with any other class of license, it will be added as an "endorsement" on the back of the current license.
A Voluntary Travel Motorcycle License is available in addition to the standard license.
Instruction Permits
If you are at least 15 years and 6 months old, you may be issued a motorcycle instruction permit. If you are a first-time driver, you will be required to pass both a driver license and a motorcycle operator written test. If you already hold a driver license instruction permit or license, you need only take the motorcycle operator written test.
With a permit, you are prohibited from carrying passengers and operating a motorcycle on freeways or interstate highways or between sunset and sunrise, or at any time when there is not enough light to clearly see people or vehicles at a distance of 500 feet.
See the Motorcycle Operator Manual for more information.
Class M (Motorcycle)
A motorcycle license or endorsement is required to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. You must be at least 16 years of age to apply for a motorcycle license or endorsement.
An applicant for a motorcycle license or endorsement who is under 18 must have held an Arizona instruction permit for at least six months. The permit must be valid at the time of application. An applicant must also have satisfactorily completed a motorcycle driver education program that is approved by MVD, or the parent or guardian must certify in writing that the applicant has completed at least 30 hours of motorcycle riding practice.
An applicant holding an out-of-state motorcycle license or endorsement is exempt from the driver education/driving practice and instruction permit requirements.
Motorcycle Training Schools
Motorcycle Training Schools Information
Motorcycle Safety Presentation
Applicants for a Class M license are encouraged to view a safety presentation before completing the application process. Material from the presentation may be on the written test.
Applicants who have attended an approved motorcycle training school and received the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) card or those who hold an out-of-state license or endorsement are exempt from State of Arizona written and road tests.
Class G (Graduated) with an Endorsement
A Graduated Driver License with a motorcycle endorsement is issued to an applicant who is at least 16, but less than 18 years of age and is valid to operate any vehicle that does not require a commercial license.
The applicant must have held both an Arizona graduated instruction permit and an Arizona motorcycle instruction permit for at least six months. The permits must be valid at the time of application. An applicant must also have satisfactorily completed both a graduated and a motorcycle driver education program approved by MVD or the parent or guardian must certify in writing that the applicant has completed at least 30 hours of motorcycle riding practice.
An applicant holding an out-of-state driver license with a motorcycle endorsement is exempt from the driver education / driving practice and instruction permit requirements.
The holder of a graduated license is not required to obtain an operator license at age 18, but may choose to obtain one.
Class D (Operator) with an Endorsement
An operator license with a motorcycle endorsement allows you to drive any vehicle that does not require a commercial license. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for an operator license.
Class A, B or C (CDL) with an Endorsement
A commercial driver license, (CDL), with a motorcycle endorsement allows you to drive heavyweight vehicles, 26,001 lbs or more gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), vehicles capable of carrying 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or vehicles required to be placarded for hazardous material, in addition to a motorcycle.
The minimum age for a commercial driver license is 21. If you are at least 18, you may apply for an intrastate commercial driver license that is valid only in Arizona.
For additional information, see the Commercial Driver License Manual.