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100+ Free MI Motorcycle Permit Test Practice Questions

Pass your Michigan Secretary of State Motorcycle CY Endorsement Knowledge Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MI Motorcycle Permit Test Exam

25

Multiple-Choice Questions

Michigan Secretary of State

80% (20/25)

Passing Score

Michigan Secretary of State

$16

CY Endorsement Fee

Michigan SOS 2026

180 days

Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) Validity

Michigan Secretary of State

MCL 257.658

Helmet Required Under 21 / Within 2 Years / No $20K Insurance

Michigan Compiled Laws

0.02%

BAC Limit for Riders Under 21

Michigan OWI Law

The Michigan SOS motorcycle CY endorsement knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions, and applicants must answer at least 20 correctly (80%) to pass. The $16 endorsement fee is paid at a Secretary of State branch after passing the written test and either the on-cycle skills test or an approved Michigan Rider Education Program BasicRiderCourse. Michigan's partial helmet repeal under MCL 257.658 lets riders 21+ ride without a helmet only if they have held the CY endorsement at least 2 years (or passed a safety course) AND carry at least $20,000 first-party medical insurance — riders under 21 must wear a DOT helmet at all times with no exceptions. Eye protection is required above 35 mph, lane splitting is illegal, and BAC limits are 0.08% (adult), 0.02% (under 21), and 0.17% for the enhanced High BAC charge.

Sample MI Motorcycle Permit Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MI Motorcycle Permit Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many questions are on the Michigan Secretary of State motorcycle endorsement knowledge test?
A.20 questions
B.25 questions
C.30 questions
D.50 questions
Explanation: The Michigan SOS motorcycle endorsement (CY) knowledge test contains 25 multiple-choice questions drawn from the Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116). Applicants must answer at least 20 correctly to pass, an 80% score. The test is taken at a Michigan Secretary of State branch office.
2What is the passing score on the Michigan motorcycle endorsement knowledge test?
A.70% (18 of 25 correct)
B.75% (19 of 25 correct)
C.80% (20 of 25 correct)
D.85% (22 of 25 correct)
Explanation: You must answer at least 20 of the 25 questions correctly to pass, an 80% score. The same standard applies whether you take the test at a Michigan Secretary of State branch office or, for adults 18 and older, through an approved online proctored test such as KnowToDrive.
3What endorsement code is added to your Michigan driver license to allow you to operate a motorcycle on public roads?
A.Endorsement M
B.Endorsement CY
C.Endorsement A
D.Endorsement CDL
Explanation: Michigan adds a CY endorsement to your driver license to authorize operation of a motorcycle or any moped over 100cc on public roads. Other states often call this an M endorsement, but Michigan uses the CY code on the back of the license.
4What is the current Michigan Secretary of State fee to add a motorcycle (CY) endorsement to your driver license?
A.$9
B.$16
C.$25
D.$45
Explanation: Adding the CY motorcycle endorsement to a Michigan driver license costs $16 at the Secretary of State. A separate Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) fee applies if you take the traditional path, and a duplicate TIP if lost is $9.
5A Michigan Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) for motorcycle practice on public roads is valid for how long?
A.30 days
B.90 days
C.180 days
D.One year
Explanation: A Michigan motorcycle TIP is valid for 180 days. During that time you may practice on public roads under the supervision of a qualified licensed motorcyclist 18 or older, and you must complete the on-cycle skills test (or a waiver via an approved safety course) before the TIP expires.
6If you complete an approved Michigan Rider Education Program Basic RiderCourse (BRC), what part of the licensing process is waived?
A.The vision test
B.The on-cycle skills test
C.The CY endorsement fee
D.Both the written knowledge test and the skills test
Explanation: A completion card from an approved Michigan Rider Education Program (Basic RiderCourse) waives the Michigan SOS on-cycle skills test. You still must pass the vision test and the written knowledge test (unless your BRC course provider is authorized to administer the written test on site) and pay the endorsement fee.
7Under Michigan law, a 16- or 17-year-old applicant who wants a CY motorcycle endorsement on a graduated driver license must:
A.Wait until age 18 and apply directly
B.Complete an approved motorcycle safety course
C.Pass only the written knowledge test
D.Submit a parental waiver in place of any course
Explanation: Drivers who are 16 or 17 years old with a graduated driver license must complete an approved motorcycle safety course before they can be issued a CY endorsement. This requirement is in addition to the written knowledge test, the vision test, and the on-cycle skills test (which the safety course waives).
8Under MCL 257.658, a Michigan motorcycle operator who is 21 or older may legally ride without a helmet only if all of the following are true:
A.Riding only on private property
B.Holding the CY endorsement at least 2 years (or passing a safety course) AND carrying at least $20,000 first-party medical insurance
C.Riding before sunset and below 35 mph
D.Wearing eye protection and a reflective vest
Explanation: Michigan's partial helmet repeal under MCL 257.658 allows a rider 21 or older to ride without a DOT helmet only if they have held the CY endorsement for at least 2 years OR have passed an approved motorcycle safety course, AND they carry at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits. All three conditions must be met; otherwise a DOT helmet is required.
9A Michigan rider who is under 21 years old is required to:
A.Wear a DOT-approved helmet at all times with no exceptions
B.Wear a helmet only at night or in bad weather
C.Wear a helmet only on freeways
D.Wear a helmet only if a passenger is on the motorcycle
Explanation: Riders and passengers under 21 in Michigan must wear a U.S. DOT-approved motorcycle helmet at all times, with no exceptions, regardless of how long they have held the endorsement or how much insurance they carry. The 2012 partial repeal under MCL 257.658 applies only to riders 21 and older.
10A passenger riding on a Michigan motorcycle may ride without a helmet only if:
A.The operator is at least 21 and otherwise meets the no-helmet conditions
B.The passenger is 21 or older AND has at least $20,000 first-party medical insurance
C.The motorcycle is going less than 35 mph
D.The passenger is the spouse of the operator
Explanation: Under MCL 257.658, a passenger may ride without a helmet only if the passenger is at least 21 years old AND has their own first-party medical-benefits insurance of at least $20,000. The operator's eligibility does not automatically exempt the passenger; the passenger must independently meet the age and insurance test.

About the MI Motorcycle Permit Test Exam

The Michigan motorcycle CY endorsement knowledge test is the written exam required to legally operate a motorcycle (or a moped over 100cc) on Michigan public roads. It contains 25 multiple-choice questions drawn from the Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116) and is administered at any Michigan Secretary of State branch office (adults 18+ may also test online through KnowToDrive). Applicants must answer at least 20 of 25 questions correctly to pass, an 80% score. Topics include the CY endorsement and Temporary Instruction Permit process, T-CLOCS pre-ride inspection, protective gear, motorcycle controls and the friction zone, both-brake stopping, swerving, the slow-look-press-roll cornering sequence, countersteering, lane positions, the SIPDE and SEE crash-avoidance strategies, hand signals, Michigan-specific laws (helmet rules under MCL 257.658, eye-protection above 35 mph, lane sharing, headlight, passenger and equipment rules), BAC limits (0.08% adult, 0.02% under 21, 0.17% High BAC), and hazards including deer, potholes, post-winter gravel, sudden Great Lakes weather, and ice on bridges. Completing an approved Michigan Rider Education Program BasicRiderCourse waives the on-cycle skills test, and is required for 16- and 17-year-olds with a graduated driver license before they can be issued the CY endorsement.

Questions

25 scored questions

Time Limit

No strict time limit at most Michigan SOS branches

Passing Score

80% (20 of 25 questions correct)

Exam Fee

$16 CY endorsement fee (Temporary Instruction Permit and Michigan Rider Education BRC are separate) (Michigan Secretary of State)

MI Motorcycle Permit Test Exam Content Outline

Section 1

Licensing, Fees and the CY Endorsement

The Michigan CY endorsement, Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) valid 180 days, written test format, $16 endorsement fee, $9 duplicate TIP, and the Michigan Rider Education Program BRC waiver of the on-cycle skills test

Section 2

Preparing to Ride and Protective Gear

T-CLOCS pre-ride inspection (tires, controls, lights, oil/fluids, chassis, stands), DOT helmets, abrasion-resistant jackets, over-the-ankle boots, gloves, and Michigan's eye-protection rule above 35 mph

Section 3

Basic Motorcycle Control

Controls and the friction zone, shifting pattern, body position, both-brake stopping (about 70% front), swerving without braking, the slow-look-press-roll cornering sequence, and countersteering above 12 mph

Section 4

Michigan-Specific Laws

Helmet law under MCL 257.658 (under 21, less than 2 years' endorsement, or no $20,000 first-party medical = helmet required), eye protection above 35 mph, no lane splitting, headlight on at all times, passenger and footrest rules, BAC 0.08% / 0.02% under 21 / 0.17% High BAC, implied consent, and OWI/OWVI for any drug

Section 5

Hazards, Strategy and Night Riding

Deer crashes (Michigan averages ~50,000/year, brake straight - don't swerve into oncoming), potholes, post-winter sand and gravel, sudden Great Lakes rain showers, ice on bridges and shaded curves, SIPDE/SEE strategies, lane positions, group staggered formation, and reduced-headlight-reach night riding

How to Pass the MI Motorcycle Permit Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 80% (20 of 25 questions correct)
  • Exam length: 25 questions
  • Time limit: No strict time limit at most Michigan SOS branches
  • Exam fee: $16 CY endorsement fee (Temporary Instruction Permit and Michigan Rider Education BRC are separate)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

MI Motorcycle Permit Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the current Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116) from the Michigan SOS website - every test question comes from it
2Memorize Michigan's helmet rule cold: under 21 = always a DOT helmet; 21+ may go without ONLY with 2+ years endorsement (or a safety course) AND $20,000 first-party medical insurance (MCL 257.658)
3Learn the key numbers: 25 questions, 20 to pass (80%), $16 endorsement, $9 duplicate TIP, TIP valid 180 days, eye protection above 35 mph, BAC 0.08% adult / 0.02% under 21 / 0.17% High BAC
4Master the safety acronyms: T-CLOCS (pre-ride inspection), SIPDE (Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute), SEE (Search, Evaluate, Execute), and SLPR (Slow, Look, Press, Roll for turns)
5Know the Michigan-specific hazards: ~50,000 deer crashes/year (brake straight - don't swerve into oncoming traffic), winter-salt potholes, post-winter sand and gravel in curves and shoulders, ice on bridges in early spring or late fall, and sudden Great Lakes rain showers
6Take timed practice tests until you consistently score 90% or higher to give yourself a comfortable buffer above the 80% pass mark

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Michigan motorcycle permit test?

The Michigan Secretary of State motorcycle CY endorsement knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions drawn from the Michigan Motorcycle Operator Manual (SOS-116). Applicants must answer at least 20 of 25 correctly to pass, an 80% score. The test is taken at any Michigan SOS branch office (and online for adults 18+ through KnowToDrive).

What does Michigan's helmet law actually require under MCL 257.658?

Michigan has a partial-repeal helmet law. Riders under 21 must wear a DOT-approved helmet at all times with no exceptions. Riders 21 and older may ride without a helmet ONLY if they have held the CY motorcycle endorsement for at least 2 years OR passed an approved motorcycle safety course, AND they carry at least $20,000 in first-party medical-benefits insurance. A passenger 21+ must independently meet the age and $20,000 insurance test to ride without a helmet. Anyone who doesn't meet all conditions must wear a helmet.

How do I get the on-cycle skills test waived in Michigan?

Completing an approved Michigan Rider Education Program BasicRiderCourse (BRC) waives the SOS on-cycle skills test. The BRC combines classroom or e-learning sessions with hands-on range exercises on a motorcycle the program provides, and ends with a written test and skills evaluation. 16- and 17-year-olds with a graduated driver license are required to complete the BRC before getting a CY endorsement; adults can choose either the BRC or the SOS skills test.

How much does the Michigan motorcycle endorsement cost?

The CY endorsement fee at the Michigan Secretary of State is $16. If you take the traditional path, you'll also pay a separate Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP) fee (with a $9 duplicate-TIP fee if it's lost), and the Michigan Rider Education Program BasicRiderCourse is priced separately by each provider. There is no separate written-test fee at the SOS branch.

Is lane splitting legal in Michigan?

No. Lane splitting (riding between rows of stopped or slow-moving vehicles in the same lane) is illegal on every Michigan road. Each motorcycle is entitled to the full use of a lane, but two motorcycles may legally share a single lane side-by-side if both riders choose to do so - a staggered formation is usually safer.

Does Michigan require eye protection on a motorcycle?

Yes. Michigan law requires motorcyclists to use shatterproof eye protection - goggles, a face shield, or a windshield - whenever they're traveling more than 35 mph. Eye protection is strongly recommended at lower speeds too because road debris can cause a crash.

What are Michigan's BAC limits for motorcyclists?

Michigan's per-se Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) limit is 0.08% BAC for riders 21 and older. Riders under 21 are subject to a zero-tolerance limit of 0.02%. Michigan's enhanced 'High BAC' (sometimes called 'Super Drunk') charge applies at 0.17% or higher and carries longer license sanctions and mandatory ignition interlock. Operating While Visibly Impaired (OWVI) can be charged below 0.08% and applies to impairment by any drug, including prescriptions.