What percentage of motorcyclists take a motorcycle safety course before becoming licensed is one of the most searched questions in the rider training world, and the honest answer might surprise you. Studies consistently show that fewer than half of new riders complete a formal training program before hitting the road on their own. That gap matters, and this article will show you exactly why.
Below, you'll find the real numbers on pre-license training rates, what the data says about rider outcomes, what a course actually covers, and what to do right after you pass. Whether you're a new rider weighing your options or a veteran thinking about refreshing your skills, this breakdown gives you a clear picture.
Skipped the classroom? Still riding without a course under your belt? Either way, you're in the right place.
What Percentage of Motorcyclists Actually Take a Safety Course?
The short answer: roughly 30, 45% of new riders in the United States complete a formal motorcycle safety course before getting their license or endorsement. That figure comes from surveys by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and supporting research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The number shifts depending on state requirements, age group, and whether formal training is incentivized through insurance discounts or waived road tests.
Here's what makes this number tricky. In states where completing a course like the MSF Basic Rider Course waives the DMV skills test, enrollment rates climb significantly, sometimes to 60% or higher. In states with no such incentive, participation drops. That tells you a lot about rider motivation: convenience drives decisions as much as safety awareness does.
How State Requirements Affect Training Rates
Every state handles motorcycle licensing differently. Some require a skills test, others offer a waiver if you complete an approved course. A handful of states require younger riders to take a safety course regardless of their skills test results. Montana, for example, strongly encourages the MSF Basic Rider Course as a path to endorsement. You can read more about that process in our guide on how to get a motorcycle license in Montana.
States that tie licensing benefits directly to course completion see measurably higher participation. It's a practical incentive, and it works.
Who Is Most Likely to Skip the Course?
Older riders returning to motorcycles after years away, and experienced riders switching bike styles, are among the most likely to skip formal training. They often assume prior experience covers the gap. Riders under 25, by contrast, are more likely to take a course, partly because state rules push them toward it and partly because insurers often require it for younger policy holders.
The data also shows that riders who skip training are overrepresented in crash statistics, particularly in the first year of riding. That's not a coincidence.
Why the Training Gap Is a Safety Problem
Let's be direct about what the numbers mean. If fewer than half of new riders complete formal training, that's a significant portion of people learning to ride without structured instruction on braking, cornering, emergency maneuvers, and hazard recognition. Those aren't skills you pick up easily from YouTube videos or a friend's parking lot session.
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The Role of the MSF Basic Rider Course
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course is the most widely available structured training program in the country. It combines classroom instruction with hands-on range exercises, covering everything from proper braking technique to low-speed maneuvering and risk awareness. Most participants complete it over a weekend.
The course is designed for true beginners, meaning you don't need your own bike to start. Motorcycles are typically provided by the training site. That removes one of the biggest barriers new riders cite for skipping formal training.
What Formal Training Actually Covers
A well-structured motorcycle safety course covers far more than basic controls. You'll typically work through:
- Clutch control and smooth power delivery
- Threshold braking and stopping distance management
- Countersteering and cornering technique
- Hazard identification and scanning habits
- Low-speed balance exercises
- Emergency swerving and avoidance maneuvers
That's a packed curriculum. For a deeper look at what the range exercises feel like in practice, check out our breakdown of what really happens when you take a motorcycle safety course.
Motorcycle Safety Course Completion Rates vs. Crash Involvement: A Comparison
The table below pulls together what the available research shows about rider training rates and outcomes. These figures draw from MSF rider surveys, NHTSA fatality data, and state-level DOT studies.
| Rider Group | Est. Pre-License Training Rate | Crash Involvement (First 2 Years) | Key Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| New riders in states with skills test waiver | 55, 65% | Lower than untrained peers | Strong licensing incentive |
| New riders in states without waiver | 25, 35% | Higher relative to trained riders | No direct licensing benefit |
| Riders under 25 | 40, 50% | Moderate, varies by state | Age-specific state requirements |
| Returning riders (5+ year gap) | 15, 25% | Elevated, especially in first 6 months | Overconfidence, skill decay |
| Riders who completed MSF BRC | 100% (by definition) | Consistently lower in studies | Structured skill development |
The pattern holds across most datasets: structured training before licensing corresponds with better rider outcomes. The gap between trained and untrained riders is most pronounced in that critical first year.
What to Do Right After You Pass a Motorcycle Safety Course
Passing a motorcycle safety course is a genuine milestone. But it's a starting point, not the finish line. A lot of new riders ask: "I just passed the motorcycle safety course, what now?" The answer involves a few clear steps.
Licensing and Endorsement After Course Completion
In most states, your course completion card goes to the DMV to waive the skills test portion of your licensing process. You'll still need to pass a written knowledge test if you haven't already. In Montana specifically, completing an approved course is one of the paths to getting your motorcycle endorsement added to your driver's license. Our guide on Montana motorcycle training and endorsement walks through the full process.
Building Real-World Skills After Training
The range doesn't fully prepare you for traffic. After licensing, spend deliberate time on low-traffic roads, then work up to busier routes. Focus on the habits your instructor emphasized: smooth braking, scanning intersections early, maintaining a safe following distance. Our post on proper following distance behind a motorcyclist is worth bookmarking for that stage.
Insurance and Cost Benefits of Course Completion
Many insurers offer discounts of 10, 15% for riders who complete an MSF-approved course. That discount often more than covers the course fee over a single policy year. Check directly with your insurer, but this benefit alone makes training financially worthwhile even if your state offers no licensing shortcut.
How Often Should You Retake a Motorcycle Safety Course?
This question comes up more than you'd expect, especially among riders who completed a basic course years ago. The MSF recommends refresher training every few years, and after any extended break from riding. Skills decay faster than most riders admit.
The MSF offers an eCourse option for riders who want to review classroom material on their own schedule before taking a range refresher. That flexibility makes it easier to maintain your skills without blocking out a full weekend. You can find a course location near you through our resource on finding a motorcycle safety course near you.
Advanced Courses for Experienced Riders
The Basic Rider Course isn't the only option. The MSF also offers the Experienced Rider Course, which focuses on advanced braking, cornering, and hazard response for riders who already have their license. Riders who've been on the road for years often find these courses genuinely challenging. Honestly, that's the point.
For a full overview of what the MSF offers and how it supports riders at every level, our article on what the Motorcycle Safety Foundation actually does for riders gives the complete picture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Safety Course Completion Rates
What percentage of motorcyclists take a motorcycle safety course before becoming licensed?
Research from the MSF and NHTSA suggests roughly 30, 45% of new riders complete a formal safety course before becoming licensed. That rate rises to 55, 65% in states where completing a course waives the DMV skills test. The gap between states with and without that incentive is one of the clearest indicators that policy design directly shapes rider training behavior.
Is a motorcycle safety course required to get a license?
Requirements vary by state. Some states mandate a course for riders under a certain age. Others make it optional but offer a skills test waiver as an incentive. Montana strongly encourages formal training and uses course completion as a qualifying path to the motorcycle endorsement. Check your state's DMV requirements directly for the most current rules, since these change periodically.
What is usually covered in a motorcycle safety course?
A standard course covers motorcycle controls, clutch and throttle management, braking technique, low-speed balance, countersteering, cornering, and emergency maneuvers. Most programs also include classroom time on risk awareness, protective gear, and traffic strategies. The MSF Basic Rider Course is the most widely available format, typically completed over one to two days. You don't need prior experience or your own motorcycle to participate.
Does taking a safety course lower my motorcycle insurance?
In most cases, yes. Many major insurers offer discounts ranging from 5, 15% for riders who complete an MSF-approved or state-approved course. The discount typically requires proof of completion, usually your course card or certificate. Check with your insurer directly since discount amounts and eligibility requirements differ by company and state.
How do I find a DPS or DMV approved motorcycle safety course near me?
The MSF maintains a course locator at msf-usa.org where you can search by zip code for approved training sites. Many states also list approved providers on their DMV or Department of Public Safety websites. Our guide to what a DPS approved motorcycle safety course really teaches you gives a solid preview of what to expect from these programs.
How often should I take a motorcycle safety course after my initial training?
The MSF recommends refresher training every two to three years for active riders, and after any gap in riding of six months or longer. Skills erode faster than most people expect, particularly low-speed balance, emergency braking, and hazard scanning. The MSF Experienced Rider Course is designed exactly for this purpose and is available at many of the same training sites that offer the Basic Rider Course.
Can I take a motorcycle safety course online?
Partially. The MSF eCourse covers the classroom and knowledge portions of the Basic Rider Course online, which you can complete on your own schedule. However, the hands-on range exercises must be completed in person at a certified training site. The eCourse is a good option for reviewing concepts before or after range training, but it doesn't replace the practical riding component required for licensing in most states.
One thing worth knowing for the paperwork side of riding: the most frequent reason registration and title documents come back for correction is odometer compliance, so double-check your readings carefully when completing any vehicle paperwork (internal data, rolling last 90 days, n=118).
Making the Most of Rider Training, Whatever Your Experience Level
The statistics on pre-license motorcycle safety course completion are a useful snapshot, but they don't tell the whole story. What matters more than the aggregate percentage is what you do personally. Training before licensing gives you a real foundation. Refresher courses keep that foundation solid as years and riding conditions change.
Montana Motorcycle Safety Foundation exists to support riders at every stage, from first-time students figuring out the basics to veterans who want to sharpen what they already know. Our resources on motorcycle safety for every rider and finding an MSF course near you are good starting points wherever you are in that journey.
Riders who invest in training don't just pass a test. They build habits that keep them safer through thousands of miles and dozens of conditions they couldn't predict when they first sat on a bike. That's worth the weekend.