How Long is a Motorcycle License Good For?

Indeed a motorbike license is a crucial thing that you shouldn’t ignore while riding the motorbike on highways, and that’s why the question arises, how long is a motorcycle license suitable for? 

Did you know that the expiration period for a motorbike license varies by state? In Alabama, it’s four years, while in Alaska it’s five years. In Arkansas, it’s also four years, and in California and Colorado, it’s five years. However, in Delaware, Florida, and Georgia, it’s eight years. To ensure that you have the most up-to-date information about your motorcycle license’s expiration period, it’s best to reach out to your local state DMV.

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about the motorbike license expiration period. 

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How Long is a Motorcycle License Good For? 

Indeed a motorbike license is simply a document you should never ignore while riding a motorbike on the highways. Now the question arises, how long is a motorcycle license suitable for? 

A Motorbike license is suitable for four years in Alabama, five years in Alaska, four years in Arkansas, five years in California, five years in Colorado, eight years in Delaware, eight years in Florida, and eight years in Georgia. It would be best to get connected with your local state DMV to get the recent update regarding the expiration period of your motorcycle license. 

Here’s the motorbike expiration period, which I created in a table form for all our 50 states; this data was last updated on Nov 2021. 

And this information is subject to change, so it would be best to check your local DMV data to get the recent update about the motorbike expiration period. 

State	Non-Commercial License Expiration Period	Commercial License Expiration Period
Alabama	4 years	2 years
Alaska	5 years	2 years
Arizona	12 years (issued after 65th birthday) or 8 years (issued before 65th birthday)	12 years (issued after 65th birthday) or 8 years (issued before 65th birthday)
Arkansas	4 years	4 years
California	5 years	5 years
Colorado	5 years	3 years
Connecticut	6 years	2 years
Delaware	8 years	4 years
Florida	8 years	6 years
Georgia	8 years	5 years
Hawaii	8 years	2 years
Idaho	4 years	4 years
Illinois	4 years	4 years
Indiana	4 years	4 years
Iowa	5 years	2 years
Kansas	4 years	4 years
Kentucky	4 years	4 years
Louisiana	6 years	4 years
Maine	4 years	4 years
Maryland	5 years	5 years
Massachusetts	5 years	5 years
Michigan	4 years	4 years
Minnesota	4 years	4 years
Mississippi	4 years	4 years
Missouri	6 years	3 years
Montana	8 years	4 years
Nebraska	5 years	2 years
Nevada	4 years	4 years
New Hampshire	6 years	6 years
New Jersey	4 years	4 years
New Mexico	4 years	4 years
New York	8 years	8 years
North Carolina	8 years	5 years
North Dakota	4 years	4 years
Ohio	4 years	4 years
Oklahoma	4 years	4 years
Oregon	8 years	2 years
Pennsylvania	4 years	4 years
Rhode Island	5 years	2 years
South Carolina	10 years	5 years
South Dakota	4 years	4 years
Tennessee	8 years	5 years
Texas	6 years	2 years
Utah	5 years	2 years
Vermont	4 years	4 years
Virginia	8 years	5 years
Washington	5 years	5 years
West Virginia	5 years	5 years
Wisconsin	8 years	8 years
Wyoming	4 years	4 years

What are the Non-Commercial and Commercial Motorbike Licenses? 

So far, you got your state information from the table mentioned above. However, you’re still confused about the commercial and non-commercial motorbike license mentioned above. 

In the US, the commercial license is for riders who ride a motorbike to serve food delivery, taxi service, etc. In contrast, the non-commercial license is mentioned for people who ride the motorbike for personal use, such as communion or casual riding. 

The rules and regulations for the commercial motorbike license are stricter than the non-commercial license. Now see the table mentioned above to know the motorbike license expiration period for your commercial and non-commercial license. 

What’s the Fine for Carrying the Non-Expired Motorbike License? 

Indeed you should check the table for non-commercial and commercial motorbike licenses; now the question arises, what’s the fine for carrying a non-renewal motorbike license? 

In California, the fine for carrying an expired motorcycle license for a year is to give the written and riding test again. Also, you’ll have to pay $25 a year to carry the expired motorcycle license while riding the motorbike. 

The longer you ride the motorbike with the expired license, the more you will be fine, along with the additional requirements. And that’s why experts always recommend renewing your motorbike license as fast as possible. 

When to Renew the Motorbike License? 

So far, you have learned about some fines and additional requirements if you are caught riding a motorbike while carrying an expired license; now, the question arises of when to renew the motorbike license. 

Experts always recommend starting renewing the motorbike license before 90 days of the expiration period because the renewal process can be a hassle and take days for the renewal. And to protect yourself from fines and additional requirements, it would be better to renew the motorbike license. 

You can renew the motorbike license by visiting the local DMV office near you and completing all requirements; your license will be valid and renewed. 

What if Your Motorbike License Expires if You’re 70 Years Old? 

Indeed, eight years is a massive gap in which many senior riders can touch the 70-year-old mark. And that’s why the question arises: what if your motorcycle license expires if you’re 70? 

Suppose you’re 70 years old and looking to renew your motorbike license. In that case, you must visit the DC DMV service center in person and submit the mature driver fitness certificate. With the mature driver fitness certificate, you’ll be considered healthy to ride the vehicle.

However, you can only get the mature driver fitness certificate from a licensed medical practitioner. The practitioner will assess you on all their health criteria, and they will decide whether you can ride the vehicle or not. 

Generally, the practitioner only passed the physically and mentally fit riders to ride the vehicles on the highways. 

CLICK HERE to get the mature driver fitness certificate form.

Is Renewing Expired Motorbike License Necessary? 

So far, you understand that a motorbike license can also be renewed if you’re a 70-year-old rider. Now the question arises, is renewing the motorbike license necessary? 

Renewing the expired motorbike license is unnecessary if you don’t want to ride any vehicle anymore. However, you need to renew your license if you still want to enjoy riding motorbikes or cars. You’ll be liable for penalties and punishment without a valid license, which you surely wouldn’t want to experience. 

And that’s why experts always recommend renewing the motorbike license before 90 days of the current license date to avoid any late fees and penalties. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed whether motorbike endorsements expire or not, CLICK HERE to read more.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

How Long is a Motorcycle License Good For? Motorbike license is good for four years in Alabama, five years in Alaska, four years in Arkansas, five years in California, five years in Colorado, eight years in Delaware, eight years in Florida, and eight years in Georgia. 

It would be best to get connected with your local state DMV to get the recent update regarding the expiration period of your motorcycle license. 

I’ve also mentioned all 50 states’ data and some additional requirements which you must complete for renewal of the motorbike license or get caught riding the motorbike without a valid license.