How to get PA motorcycle permit
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,161
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From: Potter County, PA
How to get PA motorcycle permit
i have mine but got my license in TN then traded for PA. I need to know how a person with nothing obtains a PA motorcycle permit. I think I am straight on the license options, PAMSP or conventional road test.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Southeast
This was YEARS ago, so may have changed.
Sent for a permit first, which carried certain limitations like no passengers and I think no night riding.
Then schedule a driving test. Went the first time in early Spring on a crotch rocket. Small marbles all over the course yet. Front wheel skidded doing figure 8s and the guy failed me. Went back later on my brother's little 450cc Suzuki. Could have done TWO figure 8s in the alotted area.
My brother always just got a permit every year. That worked okay until he moved to another state (FL) that doesn't have the same allowances. After riding for 20-some years, he finally needed to get, and pay for, a license. His "training" included pushing a small 250cc scooter around the course on the first day!
Sent for a permit first, which carried certain limitations like no passengers and I think no night riding.
Then schedule a driving test. Went the first time in early Spring on a crotch rocket. Small marbles all over the course yet. Front wheel skidded doing figure 8s and the guy failed me. Went back later on my brother's little 450cc Suzuki. Could have done TWO figure 8s in the alotted area.
My brother always just got a permit every year. That worked okay until he moved to another state (FL) that doesn't have the same allowances. After riding for 20-some years, he finally needed to get, and pay for, a license. His "training" included pushing a small 250cc scooter around the course on the first day!
Last edited by Tcrafty; Apr 7, 2023 at 06:06 AM.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 653
From: Potter County, PA
I thought that I made it pretty clear, but I guess too vague. I have a valid PA motorcycle license that was transferred to PA. I never had a PA motorcycle permit and don't need one; I was asking for someone who had nothing - never licensed, never permitted. What a chore this is.
Try calling DMV. Once you get to a human they don't have a clue. They know how to get a automobile permit but don't have a clue as far as a motorcycle permit. Is it the same permit? I have no idea as I never got a PA motorcycle permit.
I know I heard how people in PA drove bikes for years on permits, but that a few years ago limited the number of motorcycle learner's permits you could have closing that loophole. There are no books or pamphlets available anymore. Everything is online if you are smart enough to find them. I apparently am not.
The licensing part is straight forward - once you have the Learner's Permit you either enroll in the PAMSP and receive your license there when you successfully complete the course, or take a road test at a license center.
Try calling DMV. Once you get to a human they don't have a clue. They know how to get a automobile permit but don't have a clue as far as a motorcycle permit. Is it the same permit? I have no idea as I never got a PA motorcycle permit.
I know I heard how people in PA drove bikes for years on permits, but that a few years ago limited the number of motorcycle learner's permits you could have closing that loophole. There are no books or pamphlets available anymore. Everything is online if you are smart enough to find them. I apparently am not.
The licensing part is straight forward - once you have the Learner's Permit you either enroll in the PAMSP and receive your license there when you successfully complete the course, or take a road test at a license center.
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From: Southeast
Stellar HDF Member
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From: PA
A PA Class M endorsement is an endorsement on a PA drivers license. I believe you have to have a valid PA drivers license in order to take the Motorcycle permit test. I do not think you can get a motorcycle license without a drivers license. Go to a PennDot office in person and ask them. I am sure they will know.
https://www.dmv.pa.gov/pages/faq%20p...questions.aspx
https://www.dmv.pa.gov/pages/faq%20p...questions.aspx
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Road Master
Joined: May 2012
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From: Potter County, PA
I have called two different local offices plus the toll free number. They are clueless. The FAQ on the Penndot site has lots of info for motorcycles but still a little vague. It appears you can get a motorcycle only permit but you can not ride it alone? If you had a PA driver's license and then get a Motorcycle permit you can only ride during daylight. It doesn't make sense to me to require a beginner to be having to haul a licensed motorcycle operator around. I printed the online manual. There is a lot of info in it. I haven't found the two main things I was looking for - the dimensions for the figure 8 and the dimensions for the right and left circles. It may be in there but I haven't found it yet.
Oh well we will find out soon how the permit application process works. Clear as muddy water. They don't even know.
Oh well we will find out soon how the permit application process works. Clear as muddy water. They don't even know.
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Joined: Sep 2020
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From: Southeast
I haven't found the two main things I was looking for - the dimensions for the figure 8 and the dimensions for the right and left circles. It may be in there but I haven't found it yet.
Oh well, we will find out soon how the permit application process works. Clear as muddy water. They don't even know.
Oh well, we will find out soon how the permit application process works. Clear as muddy water. They don't even know.
I just looked and the course is now gone where I took my test so many years ago.
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From: Pennsylvania
Go to your local PA DMV office, get the booklet to study for motorcycle test or get it on line: https://dmv-permit-test.com/pennsylv...cycle-handbook
Study, go to DMV, fill out the form, pay the fee and take the test. You will then be issued a permit.
Ride and learn, then take a PA motorcycle course and you will be given your license.
Take one of the PA mo
Study, go to DMV, fill out the form, pay the fee and take the test. You will then be issued a permit.
Ride and learn, then take a PA motorcycle course and you will be given your license.
Take one of the PA mo