Apply for a New Motorcycle Safety Instructor License
Qualifications to Apply
Age Requirement
You must be at least 18 years old.
Education
You must be a high school graduate or have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, certificate of high school equivalency, or other credentials equivalent to a public high school degree.
Training Program
Before applying, you must complete a department-approved instructor training course.
For a list of approved providers, please see the list of Motorcycle Instructor Training Providers.
Find a Provider
Driver’s License
A valid motorcycle license is required. You must have held the license for at least two years prior to the date of application.
Driving Record
Applicants will not be eligible to apply if they have within the past 3 years been convicted of:
- 3 or more moving violations, or
- 2 moving violations that resulted in an accident
A “moving violation” is defined by Texas Transportation Code §542.304.
Background Check
As part of the licensing process, you will be asked to provide fingerprints to the Texas Department of Public Safety through the IdentoGo Fingerprint Service.
You must pass a criminal history background-check before your license can be issued.
Application and Fee
If you meet all requirements listed above, you may apply for a new license by submitting a completed license application form along with the non-refundable application fee of $50.
Apply Online
An instructor license is valid for two years after the date of issuance.
For assistance with using the Versa system to apply for a new license, please see the step-by-step guides below:
Out of State Applicants
Texas currently has no reciprocal licensing agreements with other states.
If you hold a motorcycle instructor license in another state, you must meet all requirements for licensure in Texas and submit a completed Texas motorcycle instructor application with the application fee.
Applicants with Criminal Convictions
If you have ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor (other than a minor traffic violation) or pleaded guilty or no contest (resulting in a deferred adjudication) to any in-state, out-of-state or federal criminal offense, you must provide a completed Criminal History Questionnaire (PDF) along with your application materials.
The department will conduct a criminal history background check on all persons who apply for or renew a license. Criminal convictions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Licenses may be denied based on the nature of the conviction and how long prior to the application the conviction occurred. Depending on your criminal history, a review can take from one to six weeks to complete.
Individuals may request TDLR review their criminal background before actually applying for a license. TDLR uses the same process for this pre-application evaluation as the process described below. See the Criminal History Evaluation Letter page for more information.
Please see the Guidelines for License Applicants with Criminal Convictions, which describe the process that TDLR uses to determine whether a criminal conviction renders an applicant an unsuitable candidate for the license, or whether a conviction warrants revocation or suspension of a license previously granted.
