If people were allowed to drive their motorcycles on public roads without a license, it would be chaos!
A license separates those who are fit for riding with the general public and those who are not. This is why each state has its own set of rules regarding this.
Learning all of these rules can get a bit tough, which is why in this article, I will be talking about how to get a motorcycle license in Arkansas.
The whole process is not too difficult. All you have to do, in essence, is to pass a written and road test while using the appropriate safety equipment. This should easily get you the license.
While this summary may sound easy, there are a lot of different things which go into these tests. Furthermore, there are various requirements that you have to fulfill before and after these tests.
Motorcycle License Requirements In Arkansas
The first step in getting your license is figuring out which license you want!
If your state has only one type of license, then things become easier, but most states have multiple licenses you can apply for.
I will explain these licenses and what you need for them in this section below:
Knowing Your Age
Arkansas follows the 2 class license system, meaning there are two types of motorcycle licenses.
The first one is the class M motorcycle license which is the less restrictive of the two and is only for people over 16. The second is the class MD motorcycle license, made for minors below 16 and over 14.
Age Between 14 – 16
- You need to be at least 14 years of age to get a restricted license.
- Your legal residence must be in the United States.
- Need to have a consent form signed by your guardians.
- There should be no pending judgments for any traffic violations.
- You cannot be under any form of suspicion or revocation by the state.
- Must submit proof of your name, date of birth, and residential area.
- You cannot be judged mentally incompetent or an alcoholic.
- Also need to submit appropriate documents from your school.
- You must submit a valid driver’s license issued by another recognized licensing authority.
Age 16 Above
- You need to be at least 16 years of age to get a restricted license.
- Must submit proof of your name, date of birth, and residential area.
- Your legal residence must be in the United States.
- You cannot be judged mentally incompetent or an alcoholic.
- There should be no pending judgments for any traffic violations.
- You cannot be under any form of suspicion or revocation by the state.
- Also need to submit sales, tax, and any registration/title fees
- Need to have proof of insurance
- Also need to show proof of having paid previous property taxes.
- Must submit a valid driver’s license issued by another recognized licensing authority.
Types Of Motorcycle Licenses
I have already stated that there are two types of Licenses that you can get in the state of Arkansas. I will explain them more in-depth here for your convenience so you can decide which one is more suitable for you.
Type 1: Class M License
This license is for people above 16. It allows them to be able to drive actual motorcycles without any form of restrictions.
Along with motorcycles, it also includes motor-driven cycles and other vehicles that are classed as such.
Type 2: Class MD License
This license is for people below 16 yet above 14. It allows them to drive motor-driven cycles at a max of 250 cubic centimeters. This is the only vehicle this license allows to drive.
How To Apply For Your Arkansas Motorcycle License
I’ll get into some more details of the entire process in this section. For your convenience I have tried to cover everything so you could apply your license accordingly.
Step 1: Get A Driver’s License
- The first step to getting your motorcycle license is to ensure you have a legal driving license.
- Depending on your age, you will need an instruction permit if you are between 14 to 16 years of age.
- If you are above 16 but still below 18, you can apply for a provisional license under the state.
- To get a driver’s license, you must follow a similar procedure as with a motorcycle license.
- You must pass a written exam, a vision test, and then a road test.
- Once you have passed all 3 of these tests, you will be issued a driver’s license.
- Assuming you are getting your driver’s license for the first time on a noncommercial vehicle, then you will also have to pay a fee between $20 to $40.
Step 2: Testing For Your Motorcycle License
Here, I will go in-depth into what type of tests you must carry out when getting your license in Arkansas. There are only two different tests that you have to take for your motorcycle driving license.
1. Motorcycle Written Test
- The written test in the state of Arkansas will test your knowledge and education on the rules of the road.
- This test will consist of 25 questions.
- To pass this test, you will need to get at least a score of 80% or answer 20 questions correctly.
2. Motorcycle Road Test
- The road test will see all of your knowledge put into application.
- This test may be conducted on public roads or in a controlled course.
- You will be tested on your safety and riding of the motorcycle, along with how well you can manage to brake and turn.
- Your maneuverability and quick thinking will be put to the test.
- Once you pass this test, you can proceed to collect your temporary license.
Step 3: Collecting Your Paperwork
- Now that you have passed all your tests, you should be eligible for a license.
- You must go back to the office to collect your temporary license and fill out any remaining paperwork.
- You will also have to pay a fee for getting a new license.
- Once you do this, you should get your permanent license within the next 30 days.
- This new license will be sent to your place of residence via mail.
Step 4: Go To Your Local Driver’s License Office
- Finally you have all the information; you can go to your local Driver’s license office and apply for one.
- Make sure to have all required documents if you want the process to go smoothly.
- Once you have submitted all the necessary documents, you can move on to carrying out the tests.
Ways To Get A Motorcycle Endorsement In AR
Motorcycle endorsements vary on a state-by-state basis; some states have them, while some states do not.
In the case of the state of Arkansas, having a motorcycle endorsement is the same as having a motorcycle license.
That being said, the steps to get one are the same.
Step 1: Visit The Driver’s license Office
The first step is applying to the office for the license. It is best if you take your time to figure out which license you will be applying for. Additionally, you should also bring some money with you to pay the fees.
Step 2: Submit Paperwork
You should take your time in researching which documents you need to bring for each state.
In the case of Arkansas, this article has you covered, and all the documents you need are mentioned above. Submit the paperwork to the office.
Step 3: Carry Out The Tests
Now, all that is left is for you to ace your tests. There will be a written knowledge-based test and, after that, a road test. Upon completion, you will get your motorcycle endorsement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Long Will It Take To Get A Motorcycle License In Arkansas?
The whole process of getting the license should not take more than a day. Once you have finished and passed the written and road tests for the motorcycle, you should be able to collect a temporary license.
You will get your official permanent license via mail within the next 30 days.
Q2. How Much Will It Cost To Get A Motorcycle License In Arkansas?
If you are getting the unrestricted class M license, you will have to pay a license fee of $40. This will allow you to use the license for eight years, after which it will expire.
If you are getting a class MD license, you must pay a prorated amount.
Q3. Should I Have A License To Ride A Motorcycle In Arkansas?
Driving without a license is considered a crime, and you will be fined. You can get away with driving a moped without having a motorcycle license, assuming you have a driving license.
You will, however, need a motorcycle license if you want to drive on public roads in the state of Arkansas.
Conclusion
Getting a motorcycle license is not that difficult once you look into how the state lets you apply for one.
Now that you know how to get a motorcycle license in Arkansas, you should have no issue bringing the proper documents to the office.
Furthermore, now that you know the type of tests that they carry out and the rules in place, you should easily be able to ace them.
That being said, it is up to you to practice hard, brush up on your knowledge and drive safely. Otherwise, you may fail the road test or written test and have to work on it again.
I am a passionate blogger who wants to spread my interest in motorcycles. Fueled by my love for motorcycles, I provide readers with valuable insights and updates on motorcycles’ informative and engaging topics and document the latest happenings in the biking community. Despite my hectic schedule, I can provide these blogs, which involve regular trips to the gym and sports like mountain biking and BMX. I am usually available most of the time, so be sure to join me on my journey of motorcycles and bikes! I appreciate a quiet and simple life and am always eager to interact with my readers to provide helpful information on my blog site.
