Before Pennsylvania motorcyclists receive anything more than a motorcycle learner’s permit they must pass a skills test or, in the alternative, take a safety course. Prior to this, riders are issued a motorcycle learner’s permit which allows them to operate a motorcycle subject to certain safety restrictions.
To receive a motorcycle learner’s permit, in addition to 
paying a $10 fee, applicants must undergo a vision screening and take a written test of motorcycle knowledge. If passed, the permit allows the recipient to operate a motorcycle on Pennsylvania streets and highways, but also limits the conditions under which a motorcycle may be operated. No night or helmetless riding is allowed, and a rider may not carry any passengers other than instructors properly licensed to operate a motorcycle. The permit is valid for a year, although it may be renewed three times in five years.
At some point, riders may wish to eliminate the riding restrictions imposed by a motorcycle learner’s permit. To do so, they must ultimately take a skills test from PennDOT. This test consists of a pre-ride inspection and several skill maneuvers. As an alternative to the skills test, riders may enroll in Pennsylvania’s Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP). This free program provides important motorcycle safety instruction and, upon completion, automatically upgrades a rider’s Motorcycle Learner’s Permit to a Class M license, which is full license status.
Pennsylvania teens under 18 years of age who wish to operate a motorcycle must successfully complete a basic motorcycle safety program to receive a motorcycle license. The student must possess a motorcycle’s learner’s permit for at least 6 months and have 65 hours of supervised riding to be eligible to take this test.
If you live in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding area and have suffered an injury due to an accident, product defect, or incident of medical malpractice, contact Powell Law at (570) 961-0777. The consultation is FREE.
