Michigan Department of State
Michigan motorcycle permit test
How the Michigan motorcycle endorsement works, plus free rider practice on the same questions used nationwide.
- Full rider practice test25 question practice run drawn from 130, pass with 20
- Cornering, braking and swerving19 questions, every answer explained
- Lane position and being seen22 questions, every answer explained
- Surface hazards21 questions, every answer explained
- Gear and the pre ride check22 questions, every answer explained
Rider drills
Riding technique does not change at a state line, so these drills are the same wherever you ride. What changes is the paperwork below.
Controls and basic operation
Clutch, throttle, both brakes, the friction zone and starting on a hill.
Gear and the pre ride check
Helmets, eye protection, what to wear, and the checks before you set off.
Lane position and being seen
The three lane positions, following distance and staying out of blind spots.
Surface hazards
Gravel, paint, metal, rail crossings and everything that matters more on two wheels.
Cornering, braking and swerving
Countersteering, entry speed, braking in a curve and choosing swerve over brake.
Passengers, groups and impairment
Carrying a passenger or cargo, staggered formation, alcohol, fatigue and weather.
The format on file, and what is confirmed
Michigan caps a rider at two Temporary Instruction Permits within any ten year span; let a second one lapse, or fail the skills test twice, and the only path left to a CY endorsement is completing the full rider safety course.
Format not published by the agency
Michigan Department of State does not publish the motorcycle test format anywhere we could confirm, so the 25 question count and pass mark of 20 are the best available figures rather than verified facts. The riding knowledge below is the same either way. Confirm the format with the agency before your appointment.
Does a course skip the test?
Completing an approved Michigan Rider Education Program course, the Basic RiderCourse, BRC2, or 3-Wheel BRC, satisfies the state's knowledge and skills requirement on its own, so a graduate never sits the Secretary of State's written test or a separate skills test to add the CY endorsement.
Michigan Department of State, Motorcycle Rider Education Program FAQ, checked 2026-08-28.