Utah Rider Education Program: Your Guide to Safe and Legal Motorcycling

Getting on a motorcycle in Utah offers a sense of freedom, but it's crucial to understand the legal requirements before you twist the throttle. Utah has specific licensing rules for motorcyclists, and riding without the correct license or permit can lead to fines, legal penalties, and complications in recovering damages if you're involved in a crash. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the Utah Rider Education Program requirements, ensuring you ride safely and legally.

Licensing Requirements in Utah

Utah employs an "endorsement" model, meaning you don't receive a separate motorcycle license. Instead, a motorcycle endorsement is added to your existing driver's license. This endorsement is mandatory for all riders, regardless of how often they ride.

Steps to Obtain a Motorcycle Endorsement

Motorcycle Learner Permit: Apply for a motorcycle learner permit through the Utah Driver License Division (DLD). You must be at least 16 years old. Permits are valid for six months. Permit holders must strictly follow Utah’s restrictions. Violating them may result in citation or denial of the endorsement.
Utah Rider Education Program: Complete a Utah Rider Education Program course. This program is run in partnership with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF).
Endorsement Fee: Return to the DLD office, present your documentation or course certificate, and pay the $18 endorsement fee.

The Utah Rider Education Program

The Utah Rider Education Program is designed to provide riders of all skill levels with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe motorcycling. Many new and returning riders take the course even if they are confident in their riding ability. The program offers various courses to cater to different experience levels and needs.

Basic Rider Course (BRC)

The Basic Rider Course (BRC) is tailored for brand new riders or those returning to riding after a long absence. The best course for brand new riders or if you are returning to riding after a long absence. It includes online classroom instruction and up to ten hours of hands-on riding exercises. License testing is included. You must be able to ride a bicycle prior to class. If you have never ridden before, get as much bicycle riding in before class as possible.

Course Highlights:

E-Course: New for 2024, the E-Course price is included in your registration! You will need to complete five hours of online coursework before the first day of class. Salt Lake Community College has multiple locations located throughout the valley that allow students access to computers, and the internet for free. After you have completed the registration process, you can contact our office, and we will help you find an SLCC campus near you. The e-course is valid for 30 days after it has been completed. At this time, only individuals registering for Basic Rider Courses and Returning Rider Courses are required to take the online e-course.
Classroom Instruction: With the online classroom you'll learn about the layout and operation of the basic controls, basic motorcycle skills, strategies, traffic situations, and how to become a safer, more responsible rider.
Riding Range: On the riding range, your MSF-certified Rider Coach will guide you through the basic skills of straight-line riding, stopping, shifting, and turning then gradually progress to more advanced road skills and strategies such as curve techniques, swerving, and emergency braking.
Motorcycles and Helmets: Motorcycles and helmets are provided for your use during the course. The Basic Rider Course includes the use of our 250cc motorcycles.
License Waiver: Successful completion of this course will waive the riding portion of the Utah Motorcycle License Test up to the 649cc endorsement. When you pass a BRC, it will waive the skills test at the DLD for up to 649cc.

Returning Rider Basic Rider Course (RRBRC)

The Returning Rider Basic Rider Course (RRBRC) is for those who are a current motorcycle rider but have never taken a riding course or an endorsement, and those who just want to refresh skills prior to starting to ride after a couples of years away from riding. This is a license waiver course for the skills test at the DLD for your endorsement.

BRC2 or Experienced Rider Course (ERC)

The BRC2 or Experienced Ride Course (ERC) is for those who are currently riding and have their own bike and have ridden recently 1,500 miles or more. This is a license waiver course for the skills test at the DLD for your endorsement.

Advanced Rider Course (ARC)

The Advanced Rider Course (ARC) is designed to enhance a rider’s skills with cornering, braking, swerving, traction management, and overall rider awareness for a safer ride. For riders who are ready for the next level! Ultimate Bike Bonding is focused on getting comfortable with low-speed maneuvers and the Advanced Rider Course is focused more on higher speed and curve techniques.

Intro Course

For brand new riders who are very nervous or not sure if they are ready for the Basic Course. This is a 3hr course with a small group where you will learn and conduct the starting exercises of the Basic Rider Course. A great option if you have a busy schedule or prefer one-on-one training.

Adventure Motorcycle Training

MSF Certified Adventure Motorcycle Training is a great way to learn key skills for riding an ADV motorcycle.

Course Requirements and Policies

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Each student will be required to have long sturdy pants, long sleeve shirt or jacket, over the ankle foot ware with a flat or nearly flat sole, full fingered gloves, eye protection, and a helmet. You must also provide appropriate protective clothing for the riding portions of the course. This includes eye protection (glasses and sunglasses are fine), full-fingered gloves, a long-sleeve shirt or jacket, long pants, and Sturdy footwear that cover your ankles, a helmet is mandatory (if you do not have one, we have some for use).

Sturdy full-length pants, like blue-jeans.
Shoes/boots must cover the ankle.

Motorcycle Requirements

BRC: If you are taking the Basic Rider Course, you generally will use our motorcycles. They are typically around 250cc. These bikes are available in a variety of motorcycle types, such as street, dual sport (road-capable dirt bikes), and cruisers.
Scooters: You may bring your scooter to ride and test on during class. Scooters must be over 100cc or larger. If you bring your scooter, you must have a valid learner’s permit, proof of current insurance, and a valid registration. Any personal bikes are subject to inspection by the rider coach. If you desire to ride your own bike for class is will be inspected prior to class start but you can. Most instructors will require you to ride our bikes on the first range day then allow you to bring your bike for class on the second range day.
RRBRC: If you are taking a Returning Rider Basic Rider Course, you can ride our bikes or furnish your own. If you bring your own bike make sure to bring with you proof of insurance, your endorsement or learner’s permit, and valid registration. Any personal bikes are subject to inspection by the rider coach.
BRC2 / ERC: If you are taking the BRC2 / Experienced Rider Course you will furnish your own motorcycle. There are no restrictions on size or type, but you must have a valid drivers license, insurance, and registration for your bike. Any personal bikes are subject to inspection by the rider coach.
ARC: If you are taking the Advanced Rider Course, you will furnish your own motorcycle. There are no restrictions on size or type, but you must have a current motorcycle endorsement or learner’s permit, proof of current insurance, and a valid registration.

Weather Conditions

We run classes in just about any weather condition. However, if conditions become un-safe class will be postponed or fully rescheduled. Please show up to class even if the weather appears to prevent class from taking place.

Cold/Rain/Snow: Bring multiple layers with options! Rain gear like Frogg Toggs can be purchased at almost any local bike shop or amazon and are perfect to keep the rain out and wind at a minimum.
High Temps: Sunscreen is a must! A light weight and light color long sleeve shirt or ventilated/mesh riding jacket, Mesh summer riding pants or fishing pants, and Breathable mesh hiking boots are great for grip and air flow. Consider bringing a couple frozen bottles of water or cooler (especially handy if you are using a cooling vest/chilly rag).

Please keep in mind we want you to have an enjoyable experience, so if you are not comfortable riding in the current conditions, please let us know before class or let your coach know at class.

Completion Card

All graduates who ride the college motorcycle receive a 649cc and under completion cardautomatically on completion of the Basic Riding Course (BRC). This completion card will allow you to skip the Drivers Licensing Division motorcycle riding test and earn your endorsement of 649cc or lower. If you pass our course we will provide you with a completion card certifying that you have successfully completed the course and a riding skill evaluation. DO NOT lose the completion card, replacement cards will not be reissued.

Tiered Licensing

Starting July 2008 Utah will be using a tiered licensing system. The idea behind the law was to prevent new riders from starting out on powerful motorcycles and to encourage learning to ride on smaller bikes. This is like licensing used in most European countries. In 2008 Utah adopted a tiered motorcycle license system.

Test on a 115cc to 249cc will be endorsed for 249cc or less
Test on a 250cc will be endorsed for a 649cc or less
Test on a 650cc or larger will be endorsed for all sizes

Additional Requirements

Age: You must be at least 15 1/2 years old with a learner's permit or license. Students between the ages of 15 1/2 and 18 are required to have a parent present on the first day of class. Underage Students: Students between the ages of 16 & 17 years are REQUIRED to have a parent present the first day of class. Parents must sign a waiver or the student will not be able to take the class.
You must bring a valid driver’s license.
Re-test on your bike within 60 days of class - No Extra Cost. Bring your bike to the second day of class to test directly after.Re-test times are scheduled weekly for the upcoming weekend. You will need to bring your Basic Course Completion Card, a Motorcycle Permit, Registration and proof of Insurance. When you pass a BRC, it will waive the skills test at the DLD for up to 649cc. If you want to ride your own machine on the second day of riding you may do so. This would meet the state’s need of the higher cc bikes.

Rescheduling and Refunds

Please read these policies carefully, if you have any questions regarding them please call 801-957-5200.

Cancellations: Must be made by 4:00 PM on the last business day prior to the day the class startsby calling 801-957-5200.
Refunds: There will be no refund after the class starts.
Rescheduling: Can be done one time only prior to class start. Day before the class starts: There is no fee to reschedule for a different date call 801-957-5200. Once class starts, if you miss a subsequent session you are subject to a $75 rescheduling fee assuming you have a legitimate reason and notify us before the start of that session. After course starts: There will be a $70 rescheduling fee for students who miss any portion of theclass for any reason.
If you need to reschedule before class starts, please call 801 957-5200 0r 801 957-5278 at least 24 hours before the beginning of the originally scheduled class.

650cc+ Testing

650cc+ Testing is held directly after class for those who wish to qualify for the “Unlimited License”. For 650cc or larger riders to earn this completion card, you will take the BRC and come back within3 months to complete the Tiered Licensing 2nd test on your own 650cc+motorcycle. If it has been longer than 3 months, please call (801-957-5200) to discuss a possible exception to this policy. Please bring your proof of insurance, registration, and drivers license. If you cannot furnish your own bike for testing, we do have a 650cc bike to rent for the test. The 650cc bike rental fee is $75 and you must have successfully completed the class on the smaller furnished bikes before you can take the test again on a 650cc+ motorcycle.

Consequences of Riding Without an Endorsement

Riding without a motorcycle endorsement is a violation of Utah law. If you ride without an endorsement and get pulled over, you face fines and legal penalties. Worse, if you are injured in a crash and are unlicensed, the other party’s insurance may try to deny fault.

Comparative Fault

Utah follows a comparative fault system. If you’re partially responsible for a crash, your settlement can be reduced. Insurance companies use licensing issues to argue comparative fault. If you’re in a crash, even if someone else caused it, your unlicensed status can complicate your ability to recover damages.

Protecting Your Rights

If you want to ride in Utah, you need the proper license. It protects you on the road and strengthens your position if you’re ever in an accident. But if you’ve already been injured in a crash and your license is a concern, don’t guess what your rights are. Salt Lake Injury Law helps injured riders recover compensation after serious crashes. They work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless they win your case. Salt Lake Injury Law builds cases that focus on what really caused the crash.

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