How to Get Your Mississippi Motorcycle License
The actual step-by-step process, from application to full license — not just what's on the exam. Confirm anything time-sensitive (fees, forms) with Mississippi DPS directly.
Hold a valid Mississippi driver's license
You must be at least 16 years old, the minimum age for any Mississippi driver's license, before adding a motorcycle endorsement.
Choose Class R or Class M
Class R covers a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle of 149cc or less; Class M covers any engine size.
Pass the motorcycle knowledge test
Pass the 25-question motorcycle knowledge test (80%, 20 correct) at a Driver Service Bureau office.
Pass the skills (road) test
Pass a separate skills test demonstrating safe operation of the motorcycle class you're applying for.
Wear a helmet — there's no general age exemption
Every operator and passenger must wear a helmet meeting federal safety standards, with one narrow exception: a rider 18 or older in a parade at 30 mph or less.
Notes
- Mississippi's helmet law is universal — one of the strictest nationwide, with no age cutoff at 18 or 21 the way many states use.
- Sudden heavy rain squalls on Mississippi's flat Delta highways can pool water quickly, a real hydroplaning risk worth planning for.
- Exact fees and Driver Service Bureau scheduling change over time — confirm the current process on the official Mississippi DPS website before you ride.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23