People who ride motorcycles on Houston’s public roads must follow Texas law’s licensing requirements. Houston motorcycle licensing requirements ensure that riders have the knowledge and skill to operate a motorcycle safely. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you understand the rules for riders.
In Texas, a person who wants to operate a motorcycle on public roads must obtain a Class M license or a Class M endorsement on their Texas driver’s license. Applicants in Houston for a Class M license must meet all the requirements for a regular driver’s license and other requirements for operating a motorcycle. People new to riding motorcycles can also apply for a motorcycle learner’s license, which allows them to learn how to ride under supervision.
Some motorcycle licenses have restrictions for safety purposes. For example, riders who obtain a motorcycle learner’s license must have a person age 21 or older with a valid motorcycle license watching while the rider practices. Riders who apply for a license at 15 will have a restriction that prohibits them from riding a motorcycle with an engine larger than 250 cc.
To obtain a motorcycle license in Houston, applicants must complete a motorcycle safety course and submit their certificate of completion with their application. Completion certificates remain valid for 24 months, after which an applicant must retake the motorcycle safety course.
Minors enrolling in a motorcycle safety course must have a Class C learner’s license and complete the classroom phase of their driver’s education course. However, applicants 18 and older with a valid motorcycle license from another state can waive the motorcycle safety course requirement.
Applicants must also pass a vision test and a motorcycle knowledge test, although applicants with a motorcycle safety course completion certificate can skip the knowledge test.
Motorcycle license applicants may have to take a motorcycle driving test as well. Applicants for motorcycle learner licenses do not have to take the driving test to obtain a learner license. Applicants 18 and older can skip the driving test requirement if they have a valid, unrestricted Texas driver’s license and have completed a motorcycle safety course or have a valid, unrestricted motorcycle license from another state or Canadian province.
The cost of obtaining a Texas motorcycle license depends on the type of license applied for. License fees include:
In Texas, a motorcyclist without a valid license who gets pulled over by the police may receive a citation with a fine of up to $200. However, subsequent offenses may result in a misdemeanor charge that carries the possibility of jail time.
Riding a motorcycle after a valid motorcycle license’s suspension, revocation, or lapse carries harsher penalties. A first-time offense carries a fine of up to $500, with second and subsequent offenses imposing up to $2,000 in fines and potential jail time.
Causing a motorcycle accident resulting in injuries without insurance has even more severe penalties, including up to $4,000 in fines and one year in jail. In addition, the court may suspend a rider’s driving privileges.
A rider in Houston who is pulled over and does not have their license with them but has a valid motorcycle license can avoid a conviction and fines by appearing in court with a valid license. However, they may have to pay a court dismissal fee.
Because Texas requires all motorists, including motorcycle riders, to have proof of financial responsibility for any accident they cause, motorcycle riders must obtain the same insurance coverage as drivers. The minimum liability insurance requirement for motorcycles includes:
A Texas motorcycle license applicant can take a motorcycle safety course focusing on three-wheeled motorcycles rather than standard two-wheeled ones. Under Texas law, applicants who present a completion certificate for a three-wheeled motorcycle safety course will receive a motorcycle license or endorsement that includes a restriction limiting the license holder to operating three-wheeled motorcycles.
Licensing a minor to ride a motorcycle in Texas involves more rules and safeguards than licensing an adult. These safeguards exist because young riders typically have less experience on the road and may be at greater risk of injury. Parents and guardians in Houston should understand the following requirements and responsibilities:
Minors as young as 15 may obtain a Class M license in Texas, but they face restrictions that adults do not. For example, a 15-year-old’s motorcycle license will include an “I” restriction prohibiting them from operating a motorcycle with an engine displacement greater than 250 cc. This restriction remains in place until the rider turns 16 and completes the necessary steps to have it removed.
Before a minor can enroll in a motorcycle safety course, they must hold a Class C learner’s license and complete the classroom portion of driver’s education. Only then can the minor begin the required motorcycle safety course, which introduces basic riding skills, hazard awareness, and defensive riding techniques. Because the safety course is mandatory for minors, parents should plan ahead—especially during busy seasons when classes fill quickly in Houston.
A parent or legal guardian must sign the minor’s motorcycle license application and accept responsibility for the minor’s operation of the motorcycle. Additionally, minors riding with a learner’s license must be supervised by someone at least 21 years old who already holds a valid Class M license. The supervising rider must remain within sight at all times.
Texas’s insurance requirements apply equally to minors. Parents are often surprised to learn that once their child receives a motorcycle learner’s license or full license, the family must ensure adequate motorcycle liability coverage. If a minor causes a crash, both the minor and their parents can be held financially responsible. These risks highlight why training, supervision, and compliance are so important for young riders.
When a minor is injured in a motorcycle crash, additional legal protections apply. Parents may pursue compensation on behalf of the minor, and Texas law allows minors extra time to file certain claims because the statute of limitations may pause until the child turns 18. However, evidence can disappear quickly. Parents should contact an attorney as soon as possible rather than waiting. Fleming Law routinely represents injured minors and understands the unique medical, emotional, and legal challenges these cases involve.
If you’re involved in an accident while riding your motorcycle in Houston, you can take the following steps:
Under Texas’s statute of limitations, you typically have two years from the date of a motorcycle crash to file a lawsuit. If you file your lawsuit after the deadline, you risk having your case dismissed by the trial court. You should contact a Houston motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the collision to protect your rights to compensation.
Understanding motorcycle licensing rules is essential, but many Houston riders also need help navigating real-world obstacles—such as unfair insurance tactics, unclear fault disputes, or confusion about how licensing status affects a claim. A valid license not only keeps riders compliant with Texas law but also strengthens their ability to seek compensation after an accident. Insurance companies may attempt to use a lack of licensing to reduce the value of a claim, making early legal help especially important.
While not having a Class M license does not automatically bar a rider from recovering compensation, insurers may argue that the lack of licensing contributed to the crash. An experienced lawyer can counter these arguments, gather evidence, and protect the rider’s rights. At Fleming Law, we work to ensure that licensing issues do not allow an insurer to escape responsibility for the harm their policyholder caused.
Motorcycle licensing rules in Texas are designed to promote safety, responsibility, and awareness—especially for minors just beginning to ride. Whether you are a parent helping your teen obtain a learner’s license or an adult rider seeking clarity on licensing requirements, understanding these rules protects both your safety and your legal rights. If you or your child has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Houston, the attorneys at Fleming Law are ready to help you navigate the path forward.
After suffering an accident on your motorcycle due to another motorist’s negligence, get experienced legal help to seek compensation for your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Contact Fleming Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable lawyer about Houston motorcycle licensing requirements and learn more about how we can help you pursue justice.
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