Motorcycle Licensing Requirements in Fort Worth, TX

Motorcycle operators must have skills beyond those of typical vehicle drivers. The motorcycle licensing requirements in Fort Worth, TX, are intended to ensure that motorcyclists can ride safely once they hit the road.

Riders without specialized licenses are more likely to be involved in fatal motorcycle accidents, and insurers know the risks posed by unlicensed operators. After a crash, an insurance provider may accuse you of lacking the training to ride safely. The team at Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers will stand up to insurers so you can recover fair compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (817) 510-9400.

If you need help after a motorcycle collision, contact our Fort Worth personal injury attorneys for a free case review. 

How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Fort Worth, TX

How Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Motorcycle Accident in Fort Worth, TX

Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers was founded over 20 years ago to represent clients in Fort Worth, Texas, against the people or businesses responsible for their losses. Our Fort Worth motorcycle accident lawyers have nearly four decades of combined legal experience fighting at-fault parties and their insurers for fair compensation.

We provide the following services to clients who have suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligent or wrongful actions:

  • Listening to your story and discussing your options during a free consultation
  • Gathering medical records and other evidence for your case
  • Preparing an insurance claim and pursuing a settlement with the at-fault party’s insurer
  • Filing a lawsuit if we fail to settle your claim fairly

Motorcycle accidents can result in severe limb and head injuries. Contact our Fort Worth personal injury lawyers to discuss the losses you’ve suffered and learn how we can help you recover compensation for them.

How Many Motorcycle Accidents Involve Unlicensed Riders?

In 2023, Texas motorcycle crashes caused the following:

  • 599 motorcyclist fatalities
  • 2,484 serious injuries to motorcyclists
  • 3,295 minor injuries to motorcyclists
  • 1,456 possible injuries to motorcyclists

Of those injured or killed, 7,353 were operators and 481 were passengers.

Research suggests that roughly 20% of motorcycle operators do not have motorcycle licenses or endorsements. These studies also reveal that 40% of motorcyclists killed in crashes lacked these qualifications. In other words, unlicensed riders are twice as likely as licensed riders to be in a fatal crash.

Based on these statistics, you can infer that about 239 Texas motorcyclists who died in 2023 did not have valid motorcycle licenses. 

These studies did not estimate the injury rate for unlicensed riders. However, if it is similar to the fatal crash rate, thousands of unlicensed riders were injured in 2023 motorcycle crashes.

Texas Motorcycle License Requirements

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues driver’s licenses in the state. The DPS provides three options for obtaining a motorcycle license, depending on the applicant’s age and current license status.

Holders of Valid Out-of-State Licenses

When an adult with a valid out-of-state motorcycle license moves to Texas, the state will swap their old license for a new Texas motorcycle license. The DPS will typically waive the safety course, written exam, and road exam for these applicants (with some exceptions).

Applicants 18 and Older

Applicants at least 18 years old must pass a motorcycle safety course approved by the DPS. These courses will typically follow the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s curriculum for basic rider safety and include both classroom or remote instruction and hands-on training.

This course is designed to help riders learn about their motorcycle, as well as strategies for maneuvering it safely and riding around other vehicles. 

These are some topics covered by the class:

  • Identifying parts of the motorcycle
  • Starting, stopping, and shifting gears
  • Cornering and navigating intersections
  • Performing emergency maneuvers
  • Avoiding dangerous actions like speeding

Students must pass a written exam at the end of the classroom portion and a road test at the end of the hands-on portion. An applicant will receive a certificate of completion after passing both tests. The course provider will also notify the DPS electronically.

When the applicant goes to a DPS office, they must bring documents to prove their identity and Texas residency. After the office verifies that the applicant passed the motorcycle safety course, it will issue a license without requiring an additional written or road test.

Applicants Under 18

Applicants under 18 must meet the following criteria:

  • Complete 32 hours of driver’s education or have a valid learner’s license
  • Have a high school diploma, GED, or verification of school attendance
  • Bring a parent or guardian to the DPS office

These applicants must also pass the motorcycle safety course. However, unlike for adult applicants, the DPS does not waive the road test for minors. Thus, young applicants must pass the safety course road test and a separate DPS road test to obtain a motorcycle license.

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation With Our Fort Worth Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

A motorcycle accident can cause catastrophic injuries even when the rider has the proper training and licensing. Contact Parker Law Firm Injury Lawyers for a free consultation to discuss your motorcycle crash and the compensation we can recover for your injuries.