The Personal Blog Of
Boston Motorcycle Attorney

Do I Really Need a Motorcycle Endorsement on my License?
November 10, 2009

There are thousands of motorcyclists on the road cruising on their Harleys or sport bikes without a motorcycle endorsement on their driver license. For some reason, some bikers simply do not take any effort to lawfully ride their motorcycles.

I can’t think of anything that makes less sense than that.

Motorcyclists are not alone. There is a disturbing amount of motorists that drive without a driver license too. But for the biker, the stakes are much higher.

• Critical Skills: In many states, Motorcycle Rider Safety Courses are required to get a motorcycle endorsement. The skills learned in these classes are critical for staying alive on the road, even for experienced bikers.
• Insurance Risks:  Without a valid motorcycle endorsement, insurance claims for theft or damage may not be honored.
• Increased Risk of Fatality: Unlicensed motorcyclists die in accidents at a rate nearly double the rate of unlicensed motorists.

The bottom line is that there isn’t a single good reason why a biker shouldn’t have a motorcycle endorsement. Even experienced riders need to make sure they follow the correct steps to ride legally. Riding legally protects everyone in the motorcycle community and it is a smart move.