Motorcycle Laws & Licensing for Virginia, United States

While being physically adept, aware of one’s surroundings, and knowing how to operate a motorcycle contribute to your ability to ride safely, these factors are a small part of what it means to be a responsible motorcyclist. Like with any motor vehicle, there are general traffic laws and rules of the road that motorcyclists must comply with. However, because motorcycles are considered their own class of vehicle, there are additional regulations that must be followed. If you live in Virginia, you may find motorcyclists can either have greater freedom or further restrictions to consider. Whether you are a novice or a veteran rider, it is always good to review the latest version of the motorcycle laws in Virginia. 

If you wish to be eligible to purchase a license plate, you must first prove that your vehicle is protected by minimum insurance requirements or that you have paid the Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee.

The Uninsured Motor Vehicle Fee requires that you pay $500 to be allowed to operate your motorcycle uninsured at your own risk. Keep in mind that this is not a replacement for Virginia motorcycle insurance.

If you are found at fault for an accident, your insurance will help you to provide compensation to any involved parties. Whenever you take your motorcycle out for a ride, have proof of ownership stored on your vehicle. Know where you store your Virginia liability insurance coverage so you are ready to show it at traffic stops, accident scenes, and/or vehicle inspections.

Since the main priorities concerning a motorcycle accident are bodily injuries and loss of property, it only makes sense that the required liability insurance coverage includes these:

• $25,000 for bodily injury to a person per accident

• $50,000 for bodily injuries to multiple people per accident

• $20,000 for property damages sustained per accident

Though additional insurance coverage is noncompulsory, that does not diminish their usefulness if the right conditions appear during or after a motorcycle accident:

• Uninsured coverage

• Underinsured coverage

• Collision coverage

• Comprehensive coverage

Without exception, riders and passengers from every age range riding a motorcycle in Virginia have to fasten on a three-quarter or full-face motorcycle helmet. Both have been examined and prepared by the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

While the use of a motorcycle helmet is enforced in Virginia, here are statistics from recent studies to help explain the importance and benefits of having them on at all times:

• Motorcycle helmets are 29% effective in preventing motorcycle fatalities

• Motorcycle helmets are 67% effective in preventing brain injuries

• Riders without protective headgear are 40% more likely to suffer fatal head injuries

Listed in this table below are the features that your motorcycle helmet is required to have if you wish to operate a motorcycle in Virginia:

A Virginia motorcycle learner’s permit is available for you if you are the age of 16 years and 3 months or above. The permit is good for at least 8 years if you can provide $3.

To be given the permit, you must complete the following tasks and fulfill all of the listed criteria:

• If you are under the age of 18:

  • You must hold onto the motorcycle learner’s permit for at least nine months

• If you are 18 years old or above:

  • You must hold onto the motorcycle learner’s permit for at least 30 days

• Present identification documents

• Provide proof of Virginia residency

• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship

• Provide your Social Security Number

• Take a photo

• Pass the knowledge exam

• Pass the vision exam

• Pay the required fees

• You cannot carry passengers

• You must wear an approved motorcycle helmet plus eye and face protection

• You must be supervised by a 21-year-old or older with a valid motorcycle license and is capable of assisting you from a separate motor vehicle

A Virginia motorcycle license is available for you if you are 16 years and 3 months of age or above.

You will have to pay $2 per valid year to be issued a Virginia motorcycle endorsement for your driver’s license. If you decide to get a motorcycle-only driver’s license, you will have to pay $6 per valid year, which is typically good for up to 8 years.

Listed below are the requirements you will need to fulfill to obtain a Virginia motorcycle license:

*If you provide a Virginia Rider Training Program certificate of completion within one year of completing the course, you will have the obtain of waiving both the knowledge and road skills portions of the Virginia motorcycle license test.

*If you are 19 years old or up, the Virginia Rider Training Program certificate of completion will serve as your temporary “M2” or “M3” endorsement for your driver’s license for 30 days after completing the course. 

Knowledge Portion:

• Complete 25 multiple-choice questions

• Questions will be based on content from Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual

• Will be tested on understanding of road rules and safe riding practices

• Requires a passing grade of 80% or higher

Road Skills Portion:

• Will be conducted in a controlled, off-street area

• Your motorcycle will be subjected to a pre-ride inspection to ensure it meets safety standards

• Demonstrate a basic understanding of motorcycle operation

• You will be tested on your ability to stay within the speed limit, adjust speed and position, maintain visibility, operate under stress, accelerate, brake, turn, stop, and swerve

• The examiner will grade you based on how well you ride at safe speeds, stay within the lanes, and demonstrate riding maneuvers

The examiner will stop the road skills portion of the Virginia motorcycle license test if you demonstrate the following behavior:

• If you operate your motorcycle in an unsafe manner

• If you fail to follow the instructions of the examiner

• If you accumulate too many points

If you fail the road skills portion of the Virginia motorcycle license test twice, you must complete a Virginia Rider Training Program before adding a Class M endorsement to your driver’s license. 

If you prefer riding by yourself almost all the time, then you do not have to worry about prepping your ride for a passenger. But if you commute with another person or want to go some distance with a significant other, you have to place a pillion towards the back or along the side. So that your passenger can relax his/her feet, there are usually footrests jutting out below the passenger seat. You should have no problem securing your passenger seat at these spots on your bike:

• The back part of a large driver’s seat

• Towards the rear as a separate saddle

• Fixed to the side as a sidecar

Though the passenger seat and footrests can be adjusted slightly, not every person of a different height can stay in place. Not every person also adopts the appropriate attitude when under the care of a rider. The type of passenger you should be looking for is:

• A passenger able to reach the footrests

• A passenger able to wear an approved motorcycle helmet

• A passenger able to understand and follow your directions

Motorcyclists are prohibited from practicing any type of lane splitting while traveling through Virginia. If you are unfamiliar with or do not know what lane splitting is, these types of maneuvers fall under the category:

• Riding on top of the dividing lines between lanes

• Riding in between adjacent rows of stopped vehicles 

• Overtaking a larger vehicle ahead in the same lane 

On the other hand, motorcyclists are allowed to practice any form of lane sharing within Virginia. To give you a better understanding of what lane sharing is, these types of maneuvers fall under the category:

• You are allowed to make full use of the space within your current lane 

• You can only share a lane with another motorcycle if:

  • Both parties stay apart at least two abreast

  • Both parties consent beforehand

One of your duties as a motorcyclist is to conduct a motorcycle vehicle inspection every year to ensure that it meets Virginia’s safety and equipment standards. Unlike other motor vehicles, a motorcycle needs to be checked and given maintenance frequently. Due to the lack of redundant systems, any primary components that start to break down on your motorcycle could result in total mechanical failure. If you discover any signs of damage, do not put it off until the last minute. Apply the repairs yourself using your tools or take it to be seen by a mechanic.

• Horn

• Wheels

• Tires

• Handlebars 

•  Front & Rear Brakes 

• Controls

• Headlight 

•  Taillight 

•  Brake Light 

• Turn Signals

• Exhaust System

•  Muffler 

•  Rearview Mirrors 

• Virginia Motorcycle Operator Manual 
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - Insurance Requirements
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - Motorcycle Safety
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - Motorcycle Learner’s Permit
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - Obtaining a Motorcycle License
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - Motorcycle Knowledge Exam
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - Motorcycle Road Skills Exam
• Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles - DMV Fees