Middle Tennessee is a great place to learn to ride. Two-lane roads wind through Williamson and Cheatham counties, and the Natchez Trace Parkway starts just outside Nashville. Before you take your first real ride, though, you need the right license and the right policy. This guide walks new riders through getting a Tennessee motorcycle license and setting up a first motorcycle insurance policy.
Quick takeaway
- Tennessee’s Class M license is for motorcycles over 125cc. The test includes vision, knowledge, and an on-cycle skills test.
- Completing a Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program (MREP) course waives the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests, according to the Department of Safety.
- Learner permits for 15-year-olds come with limits, including no passengers, no interstates, and daytime-only riding.
- Buy insurance before you ride the bike home, and start with liability limits that protect what you own.
Which Tennessee license do you need?
According to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the license you need depends on the size of the bike:
- Class M (motorcycle), 126cc or more: for any two- or three-wheel vehicle over 125cc. Available to riders 16 or older. It can be issued by itself or alongside your regular driver license.
- Class M-Limited (motor-driven cycle), 51 to 125cc: covers many scooters. Riders 16 or older can get one, and it’s available at 15 with restrictions on hours and distance from home.
- Motorized bicycle, 50cc or less: anyone with a valid regular driver license may operate one.
Most new riders buying a standard motorcycle will need the Class M.
Two ways to get your Class M
Option 1: Test at a Driver Services Center
If you already have a valid regular (Class D) or graduated driver license, the Department of Safety says the motorcycle exam includes:
- A vision screening
- A motorcycle rules-of-the-road knowledge test
- A motorcycle pre-trip inspection
- A motorcycle road skills test
The Department publishes a Motorcycle Operator Manual to help you study. You can schedule knowledge and road skills test appointments at full-service Driver Services Centers. If you don’t already have a regular driver license, you’ll also take the Class D knowledge test.
Option 2: Take an MREP course
The Department of Safety says that if you successfully complete a Tennessee Motorcycle Rider Education Program (MREP) course, you don’t have to take the motorcycle knowledge and road skills tests. MREP and MSF certificates are valid for one year from the date they’re issued. A Motorcycle Safety Foundation course taken in another state only waives the road skills test. Either way, the course doesn’t waive the regular driver knowledge test if you don’t already have a Class D license.
For new riders, a training course does more than check a box. You’ll practice on a closed course with instructors watching, which is a much safer place to learn the basics than a busy road.
Rules for 15-year-old learners
The Department of Safety offers a Motorcycle Learner Permit (Class P-M) for 15-year-olds who meet the license requirements. It comes with restrictions:
- Motorcycles of 650cc or less only
- No passengers
- No interstate highways or other roads marked as off-limits
- Riding only between 4 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Riding only within 7 miles of home
Permits are valid for one year. At 16, the rider can exchange the permit for a full motorcycle license without further testing.
Setting up your first motorcycle insurance policy
Get insurance before you ride the bike home. Our motorcycle insurance guide for Tennessee explains the coverages in detail. Here’s how to approach it as a new rider.
Start with liability
Liability pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. Tennessee’s minimum liability limits for vehicles are 25/50/25, according to the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Many riders choose higher limits, especially if they own a home or have savings to protect.
Add protection for yourself
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist: protects you if a driver with no insurance or too little insurance hits you. For riders, injuries can be serious, so this coverage matters.
- Medical payments: helps with medical bills for you, and for a passenger if your policy allows passengers.
Protect the bike
- Collision: pays to repair your bike after a crash, minus your deductible. Lenders usually require it on financed bikes.
- Comprehensive: covers theft, fire, vandalism, hail, and hitting a deer.
- Custom parts and equipment: covers aftermarket add-ons, up to a set limit.
- Riding gear: some policies cover helmets, jackets, and boots damaged in a covered loss.
What affects a new rider’s premium
New riders often pay more at first. Common factors include:
- Age and riding experience
- The type of bike. Sport bikes and high-horsepower models often cost more to insure than cruisers or standard bikes.
- Engine size and value
- Your driving record in a car, too
- Where the bike is kept overnight
- Coverage limits and deductibles
Ways to manage cost include completing a rider course, starting on a modest bike, choosing sensible deductibles, bundling with your auto policy, and keeping a clean record. Ask which discounts each carrier offers. They vary.
A first-bike checklist
- Decide which license class you need.
- Sign up for an MREP course, or study the operator manual and schedule your tests.
- Buy a helmet and protective gear before your first ride.
- Get insurance quotes before you buy, since the bike you choose affects price.
- Bind coverage on the day you pick up the bike.
- Practice in a parking lot before you take on traffic.
- Ride well within your skills on unfamiliar roads like the Trace or the hills around Fairview.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a motorcycle license in Tennessee?
You can pass a vision screening, knowledge test, pre-trip inspection, and road skills test at a full-service Driver Services Center. Or you can complete a Tennessee MREP course, which waives the motorcycle knowledge and skills tests.
Can I ride a motorcycle with a regular driver license in Tennessee?
The Department of Safety says anyone with a valid regular driver license may operate a motorized bicycle of 50cc or less. Larger motorcycles and scooters require the appropriate motorcycle license.
Is motorcycle insurance required in Tennessee?
Tennessee’s Financial Responsibility Law applies to motor vehicles, and liability insurance is the most common way riders meet it. Our motorcycle insurance guide covers the requirements in more detail.
Does a rider safety course lower motorcycle insurance?
Many carriers offer a discount for completing an approved course. Availability and amounts vary, so ask your agent.
Next step
Your first policy should protect you while you build skills. Learn more about motorcycle insurance with Eric Henry, Insurance Agent, and ask Eric to quote a few bikes before you buy so you know what each one will cost to insure.
Coverage descriptions are general information only; your policy documents determine actual coverage. Availability varies by carrier.
