School Operations Guide

Becoming Licensed

For information on getting or renewing a license, please see the following pages:

• Renew a School License
• Apply for a New School License

School Requirements

General Supplies

Schools will be responsible for purchasing and creating their own equipment and supplies to establish their business.

Motorcycle Inventory

Schools are required to provide motorcycles to students. TDLR will not provide schools with motorcycles. A separate motorcycle must be available for each student during range instruction

Motorcycle Requirements

It is the responsibility of the instructor to determine is a motorcycle is mechanically unsafe, or if a motorcycle is inappropriate for a specific rider or any other person permitted on the range.

A separate motorcycle must be available for each student during range instruction.

Student Provided Motorcycles

If a school allows students to provide their own motorcycles, those motorcycles must:

• meet all the requirements for operation on public highways
• be covered by a motor vehicle liability insurance policy that meets the requirements of Texas Transportation Code §601.072, proof of which must be available for inspection by an instructor
• pass a safety inspection conducted by the instructor

Protective Gear

All students and instructors must wear protective gear when participating in the on-cycle portion of the course. The minimum protective gear includes:

1. a motorcycle helmet that meets U.S. DOT standards
2. eye protection
3. over-the-ankle, sturdy footwear
4. a long-sleeved shirt or jacket
5. non-flare pants that cover the entire leg and are made from a material that is at least as sturdy as denim
6. full-fingered gloves

Liability Insurance Policy

A motorcycle school must be continuously covered by an insurance policy that provides at least $2 million in liability coverage and $10,000 in medical payments coverage.

Training Site Requirements

A motorcycle school must have a training site that includes:

1. a range that is:
   1. a paved surface, including asphalt, concrete, or another all-weather surface of suitable traction
   2. large enough to safely accommodate all courses conducted by the motorcycle school
   3. reasonably free of incline
   4. secure from vehicular and pedestrian traffic
   5. free of surface hazards and obstacles
2. first aid kit of an appropriate type
3. fire extinguisher of at least 5 lbs. class ABC, or equivalent for the range
4. a classroom that:
   1. is not located in a private residence
   2. is large enough to adequately seat all students and instructors
   3. has an adequate seat and writing surface for each student
   4. has adequate audiovisual presentation equipment

Instructor Responsibilities

An instructor must:

1. Notify the department of any change in the instructor’s address, phone number, or email address within 15 days from the date of the change by submitting a completed Motorcycle Instructor Notice of Change and Duplicate License Request form (PDF)
2. Maintain a valid driver's license that entitles the license holder to operate a motorcycle on a public road
3. Not have been convicted during the preceding three years of:
   1. Two or more moving violations that resulted in an accident, or
   2. three or more moving violations, including violations that resulted in an accident
4. Act immediately to appropriately address the medical needs of any person injured at the training site and summon emergency medical services if necessary
5. Report each injury to the motorcycle school in a timely manner
6. Cooperate with all department audits and investigations and provide all requested documents
7. Before each course, inspect each motorcycle to be used on the range to ensure the motorcycle meets the requirements (see the Motorcycle Requirements section)
8. Ensure that each motorcycle provided by a student meets the insurance requirements before the motorcycle is used on the range
9. Provide instruction only in compliance with a curriculum approved by the department
10. Be capable of instructing the entire course and providing technically correct riding demonstrations
11. Ensure that the student-to-instructor ratio remains within limits:
    1. For classroom instruction, there must be no more than 36 students per instructor
    2. There must not be more than 8 students on a range during any phase of range instruction
12. Supervise all students and personnel on the range
13. Wear, and ensure all students wear, the protective gear required by §98.108(f) whenever participating in the on-cycle portion of any course
14. Deal honestly with members of the public and the department

An instructor must not:

1. Instruct a student if either the instructor or student exhibits signs of impairment from the use of alcohol or drugs
2. Complete, issue, or validate a certificate of course completion to a person who has not successfully completed the course

Course Curriculum

Please see the Motorcycle School Course Curriculum Approval page for complete details on TDLR approval of training courses or making changes to the courses that your school offers to students.

Student Admission Requirements

Entry-Level Courses

Entry-level courses are open to any individual who is at least 15 years old.

Non-Entry Level Courses

Non-entry-level courses are open to any individual who holds a Class M driver’s license or an equivalent out-of-state license.

Students under 18 Years of Age

Individuals younger than 18 years of age must provide the motorcycle school with written consent, signed by a parent or other person listed in Texas Family Code §32.001(a), for the individual to receive medical treatment for any injury that may occur at the motorcycle school.

Verification of Course Completion

Course Completion Certificates

A motorcycle school must issue a department-approved course completion certificate to a student who has successfully completed an entry-level course. The certificate must be signed by an instructor who taught the course or an appointed representative of the school.

If a student successfully completes an entry-level course that is specific to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle, a motorcycle school must issue a department-approved course completion certificate that is restricted to the operation of a three-wheeled motorcycle.

Duplicate Certificates

A motorcycle school may issue a duplicate course completion certificate to a student for a lost certificate for up to three calendar years from the date the course was completed. The duplicate certificate must bear the same certificate number and course completion date as the original certificate.

Reporting Requirements