How Old Do You Have to be to Get a Motorcycle License?

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

How Old Do You Have to be to Get a Motorcycle License?

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

In Illinois, you must be at least 16 years old to get a motorcycle license. Getting your license involves taking a written test and a road test.

If you have questions or need help after an accident, an Illinois motorcycle accident lawyer will help you understand your rights and options.

Eligibility Requirements in Illinois

In Illinois, the main thing that decides if you can get a motorcycle license is your age. Here are the age requirements:

• You must be at least 16 years old to get a regular motorcycle license. This means you can’t get your motorcycle license if you are younger than 16.
• If you’re 18 or older, you can get a motorcycle license without first having a driver’s license. So, once you turn 18, you don’t need a regular driver’s license to apply for a motorcycle license.
• If you’re under 18, you need to have had a valid driver’s license or instruction permit for at least 6 months. This means that if you are between 16 and 18 years old, you must first hold a driver’s license or permit for at least six months before you can get your motorcycle license.

Remember, these are just the age requirements. There are other things you need to do too, which we’ll talk about next.

Educational Requirements

In Illinois, you need to take a motorcycle safety course before you can get your license. This is true no matter how old you are. The course is called the Motorcycle Rider Education Course. It teaches you how to ride safely and follow the rules of the road.

If you’re under 18, you also need to have completed a driver’s education course. This is the same course you take to get a regular driver’s license.

Applying for a Motorcycle License

Once you’re old enough and have finished your courses, you can apply for your license.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Go to a Secretary of State facility
2. Fill out the motorcycle license application
3. Show proof that you finished the safety course
4. Pass a written test about motorcycle rules and safety
5. Pass a vision test
6. Pay the license fee

If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian needs to sign your application.

Preparing for the Tests

To get ready for your tests, you should:

• Study the Illinois Motorcycle Operator Manual. This book has all the information you need to know about riding a motorcycle safely and following the rules of the road. It covers everything from traffic laws to how to handle different riding situations.
• Practice the things you learned in your safety course. If you took a motorcycle safety course, make sure to review and practice the skills you learned. This will help you feel more confident and prepared for your road test.
• Take practice tests online. The Secretary of State website has practice tests that you can use to test your knowledge. These practice tests can help you get a feel for the kinds of questions that will be on the actual written test.

Remember, the written test will ask about traffic laws, road signs, and motorcycle safety rules. It is important to know these rules to ride safely. The vision test checks if you can see well enough to ride a motorcycle safely. If you can’t see clearly, you won’t be able to get your license.

Required Documents

When you go to apply for your license, you’ll need to bring some documents with you. These include:

• Proof of identity (like a birth certificate or passport)
• Proof of Illinois residency (like a utility bill or school report card)
• Proof of your Social Security number
• Your completion card from the motorcycle safety course
• Your current driver’s license or instruction permit (if you have one)

Make sure you have all these documents before you go. If you forget something, you’ll have to come back another day.

Did an Unlicensed Motorcyclist Hit You? Know Your Rights

Sometimes, people ride motorcycles without a proper license. This is against the law in Illinois. If an unlicensed motorcyclist hits you, you still have rights:

• You can still file an insurance claim or lawsuit against them. Even if the person who hit you wasn’t legally allowed to be riding a motorcycle, you can seek compensation. This means you can ask for money to cover your medical bills, damage to your vehicle, and other costs related to the accident.
• The fact that they were unlicensed might help your case. When someone is riding without a license, it shows they were breaking the law. This can make your case stronger in court because it demonstrates that the other person was acting irresponsibly and illegally.
• You might be able to get money for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you are injured, you may have to miss work, which means lost income. You might also have to pay for medical treatments and deal with pain from your injuries. Compensation can help cover these costs and make your recovery easier.

Remember, even if the other person was breaking the law by riding without a license, you still need to follow the rules for filing a claim.

In Illinois, you usually have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. It’s very important to act within this time frame to make sure you can get the help you need.

Seek Help from an Illinois Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been in an accident with a motorcyclist, whether they were licensed or not, it’s a good idea to talk to a lawyer. An Illinois motorcycle accident lawyer at Malman Law will help you understand your rights, deal with insurance companies for you, make sure you file your claim on time, and fight to get you the most money possible for your injuries.

The sooner you talk to a lawyer, the better your chances of getting fair compensation. Contact us contact us for assistance. Consultations are always free.