Tennessee motorcycle licensing
Tennessee Motorcycle License Requirements – Complete 2026 Guide
Tennessee motorcycle requirements for permit, license, endorsement, and rider-course planning. Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it.
Verified state facts
Tennessee motorcycle permit and license snapshot
Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it restricts engine size to 51-125cc, riding hours to 4:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and travel to a 7-mile radius from home.
| Minimum age or path | 15 for a restricted Class M-Limited credential; 16 for a regular Class M motorcycle license |
|---|---|
| Written test | The official Tennessee Class M page and motorcycle manual reviewed do not state a fixed motorcycle knowledge-test question count. |
| Passing score | The official Tennessee motorcycle licensing sources reviewed do not publish a motorcycle-specific passing percentage. |
| Permit or application fee | $6.50 total for a PM motorcycle learner permit issued to an applicant under 18 |
| License or endorsement fee | $29 for an 8-year Class M motorcycle license; $55 for an 8-year combined Class D and Class M license |
| Helmet or equipment rule | Tennessee requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear a federally compliant motorcycle helmet, subject to the limited statutory exceptions described by the state. |
DMV packet
What to bring for a Tennessee motorcycle permit or license
Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it restricts engine size to 51-125cc, riding hours to 4:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and travel to a 7-mile radius from home. The application packet must match the exact Tennessee route: permit-only, endorsement added to a license, motorcycle-only license, course waiver, or under-18 application.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent-resident status
- Proof of identity
- Proof of Tennessee residency
- Social Security number documentation
- A parent or legal guardian for applicants who require minor consent
- A valid Tennessee rider-course completion certificate when requesting a test waiver
State route
How the Tennessee motorcycle process fits together
- Choose the credentialStart with the motorcycle permit, endorsement, or motorcycle-only license route described by Tennessee Department of Safety Class M motorcycle license requirements. Match that transaction to your current driver license before applying.
- Study the rider topicsThe official Tennessee Class M page and motorcycle manual reviewed do not state a fixed motorcycle knowledge-test question count.
- Handle training or skills testingA Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program completion certificate waives both the motorcycle knowledge and road-skills tests and is valid for 1 year. An out-of-state Motorcycle Safety Foundation completion card waives only the road-skills test.
- Prepare the state-specific packetUse the document section below, especially this item: Proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent-resident status.
- Finish the credential transactionConnect the fee source, permit restrictions, and official source links before riding with full privileges in Tennessee.
Knowledge test
Tennessee motorcycle written test and study focus
The official Tennessee Class M page and motorcycle manual reviewed do not state a fixed motorcycle knowledge-test question count. The official Tennessee motorcycle licensing sources reviewed do not publish a motorcycle-specific passing percentage. Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it restricts engine size to 51-125cc, riding hours to 4:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and travel to a 7-mile radius from home. Build the study plan around motorcycle controls, visibility, lane position, intersections, curves, traction, passengers, cargo, impairment, fatigue, and emergency maneuvers, with extra attention to longer riding distances, open-road scanning, wind, fatigue, wildlife or debris, and fewer nearby services.
Fees
Tennessee motorcycle permit and license fees
The fee table below preserves the transaction details currently documented for this state. The first fee note is: $6.50 total for a PM motorcycle learner permit issued to an applicant under 18
| Transaction | State fee note |
|---|---|
| Motorcycle permit or application | $6.50 total for a PM motorcycle learner permit issued to an applicant under 18 |
| License or endorsement | $29 for an 8-year Class M motorcycle license; $55 for an 8-year combined Class D and Class M license |
Permit rules
Tennessee motorcycle permit restrictions and road limits
Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it restricts engine size to 51-125cc, riding hours to 4:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and travel to a 7-mile radius from home. Apply the learner-stage limits below before public-road riding; a Tennessee learner permit does not grant full motorcycle privileges.
- A 15-year-old Class M-Limited rider may operate only between 4:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
- A 15-year-old Class M-Limited rider must remain within 7 miles of home.
- The Class M-Limited credential covers motorcycles or motor-driven cycles from 51cc through 125cc.
- Applicants who do not already hold a regular driver license must also satisfy the Class D knowledge-test requirements.
Training
Motorcycle safety course and skills-test path in Tennessee
A Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program completion certificate waives both the motorcycle knowledge and road-skills tests and is valid for 1 year. An out-of-state Motorcycle Safety Foundation completion card waives only the road-skills test. Keep the course certificate or waiver record with the application packet when Tennessee accepts it.
Safety laws
Tennessee helmet, gear, and lane rules
Tennessee requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear a federally compliant motorcycle helmet, subject to the limited statutory exceptions described by the state. For Tennessee, study around longer riding distances, open-road scanning, wind, fatigue, wildlife or debris, and fewer nearby services so the legal rule connects to real riding choices.
Regional comparison
Compare Tennessee with nearby motorcycle rules
| State | Permit or test path | Helmet rule |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 15 for a restricted Class M-Limited credential; 16 for a regular Class M motorcycle license | Tennessee requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear a federally compliant motorcycle helmet, subject to the limited statutory exceptions described by the state. |
| Kentucky | 16 years when the applicant holds at least a valid intermediate motor vehicle license and is eligible for an unrestricted license; applicants 18 or older use the qualifying operator-credential path described by Kentucky DRIVE | A helmet is required for permit holders, riders under 21, and operators who have held a motorcycle license for less than 1 year. Kentucky also requires approved eye protection unless an applicable equipment exception applies. |
| Georgia | 16 after satisfying Joshua's Law requirements; otherwise 17 for the Class MP motorcycle permit path | Every motorcycle operator and passenger must wear a DOT-compliant helmet. |
| North Carolina | 16 | Every motorcycle and moped operator and passenger must wear a helmet that complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218 |
Mopeds and scooters
Moped and scooter rules in Tennessee
A motorized bicycle with an engine displacement of 50cc or less may be operated with a regular Tennessee driver license; larger vehicles fall into the Class M or M-Limited motorcycle rules.
State Q&A
Tennessee motorcycle permit questions
For Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it, what motorcycle charge does Tennessee Department of Safety Class M motorcycle license requirements list?
$6.50 total for a PM motorcycle learner permit issued to an applicant under 18
How does the course rule affect skills testing when tennessee's age-15 m-limited credential is notably specific: it?
A Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program completion certificate waives both the motorcycle knowledge and road-skills tests and is valid for 1 year.
Which permit limit applies when tennessee's age-15 m-limited credential is notably specific: it?
A 15-year-old Class M-Limited rider may operate only between 4:00 a.m.
How should a practice route account for this Tennessee fact: Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it?
Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it restricts engine size to 51-125cc, riding hours to 4:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and travel to a 7-mile radius from home.
How does Tennessee Department of Safety Class M motorcycle license requirements classify a moped or scooter when tennessee's age-15 m-limited credential is notably specific: it?
A motorized bicycle with an engine displacement of 50cc or less may be operated with a regular Tennessee driver license; larger vehicles fall into the Class M or M-Limited motorcycle rules.
Given Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it, what age path does Tennessee Department of Safety Class M motorcycle license requirements use?
15 for a restricted Class M-Limited credential; 16 for a regular Class M motorcycle license
Government references
Tennessee motorcycle source links
Source review date: August 22, 2026. Tennessee's age-15 M-Limited credential is notably specific: it restricts engine size to 51-125cc, riding hours to 4:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and travel to a 7-mile radius from home.
