Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT)
Pennsylvania motorcycle permit test
How the Pennsylvania 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
Pennsylvania caps how many times a rider can even try: a Class M learner's permit can be issued only three times within five years, four permits total, and every single one of those attempts requires passing the knowledge test again from scratch.
Format not published by the agency
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) does not publish the motorcycle test format anywhere we could confirm, so the 20 question count and pass mark of 16 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 the PAMSP Basic Riding Clinic waives both the knowledge test and the skills test for riders 18 and older, whose permit is stamped valid in place of testing at a Driver License Center; riders under 18 still must pass the skills test even after finishing the course
PennDOT, checked 2026-08-28.