Michigan Motorcycle Learners Permit Temporary License

The Motorcycle Legal Minute™ was created by Jason Waechter, THE Motorcycle Lawyer, to explain Michigan’s motorcycle law in a short and easy to understand way.

What is a Motorcycle Temporary Instruction Permit?

Let’s talk about Michigan’s Motorcycle Temporary Instruction Permit. This is a permit to ride a motorcycle without a motorcycle endorsement which is needed to ride legally.

The idea is to allow a new rider to practice riding out on the roads under the supervision of an experienced motorcyclist before taking the motorcycle skills test. That skills test is needed for an official motorcycle endorsement. 

To get the permit you need a valid regular driver’s license, have to pass the vision and written motorcycle test and, of course, pay the $16 fee.   

Copied here is the Michigan statute pertaining to motorcycle temporary instruction permits:

MCL 257.306 Temporary instruction permit; operation of motor vehicle without operator's license or permit; pandemic expiration extension; temporary driver education certificate; motorcycle temporary instruction permit.

  (1) The secretary of state, on receiving an application for a temporary instruction permit from an individual who is 18 years of age or older, may issue that permit that entitles the applicant, while carrying the permit, to drive a motor vehicle other than a motor vehicle requiring an indorsement under section 312a or a vehicle group designation under section 312e on the highways for a period of 180 days when accompanied by a licensed adult operator or chauffeur who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver. A temporary instruction permit issued under this subsection that expires on or after March 1, 2020 is valid until March 31, 2021.

  (2) The secretary of state may issue an original operator's license and designate level 1, 2, or 3 graduated licensing provisions to an individual who is less than 18 years of age, has been licensed in another state or country, and has satisfied the applicable requirements of section 310e. An original operator's license with a designated level 1, 2, or 3 graduated licensing provision issued under this subsection that expires on or after March 1, 2020 is valid until March 31, 2021.

  (3) A student enrolled in a driver education course as that term is defined in section 3 of the driver education provider and instructor act, 2006 PA 384, MCL 256.623, or a motorcycle safety course approved by the department of state may operate a motor vehicle that does not require a group designation under section 312e without holding an operator's license or permit while under the direct supervision of the program instructor.

  (4) A student enrolled in a driver education course as that term is defined in section 3 of the driver education provider and instructor act, 2006 PA 384, MCL 256.623, and who has successfully completed 10 hours of classroom instruction and the equivalent of 2 hours of behind-the-wheel training may be issued a temporary driver education certificate furnished by the department of state that authorizes a student to drive a motor vehicle, other than a motor vehicle that requires an indorsement under section 312a or a vehicle group designation under section 312e, when accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian, or when accompanied by a nonlicensed parent or guardian and a licensed adult for the purpose of receiving additional instruction until the end of the student's driver education course. A temporary driver education certificate issued under this subsection that expires on or after March 1, 2020 is valid until March 31, 2021.

  (5) Beginning January 1, 2015, the secretary of state, on receiving proper application from an individual 16 or 17 years of age who is enrolled in or has successfully completed an approved motorcycle safety course under section 811a, or an individual who is 18 years of age or older and who holds a valid operator's or chauffeur's license, may issue a motorcycle temporary instruction permit that entitles the applicant, while carrying the permit, to operate a motorcycle on the public streets and highways for a period of 180 days under the following conditions:

  (a) The applicant shall operate the motorcycle under the constant visual supervision of a licensed motorcycle operator who is at least 18 years of age.

  (b) The applicant shall not operate the motorcycle at night.

  (c) The applicant shall not operate the motorcycle with a passenger.

  (d) The applicant shall not be eligible for more than 2 motorcycle temporary instruction permits in a 10-year period.

  (6) A motorcycle temporary instruction permit issued under subsection (5) that expires on or after March 1, 2020 is valid until March 31, 2021.

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