# Motorcycle Licensing in Illinois **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 12, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-licensing-in-illinois/578118 "2011-04-12T17:39:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-licensing-in-illinois/578118/1 "2011-04-12T17:39:58Z")
You are not my lawyer, I am not your client, blah blah blah. I’m in the market for a motor scooter. Something like [this](http://motorscooters-gasscooters.blogspot.com/2011/02/49cc-scooter.html). The guy at the shop said that anything under 50cc (and wouldn’t you know it, the bike he was trying to sell me was 49cc) can be drive with a regular IL drivers license; anything over required a motorcycle license (requiring a course, road test, and about $200 in fees). Nay nay, say the guys at work. You can drive a scooter between 50-149cc with some sort of license that requires only a written test and $5. The Illinois Secretary of State’s [discussion of the topic](http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/drivers/drivers_license/motorcycle.html) is not very helpful. Anyone familiar enough with Illinois law to speak about this? ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-licensing-in-illinois/578118/2 "2011-04-12T18:02:26Z")
I guess it comes down to the capabilities of the particular scooter you’re looking at. From the same site: > [@](#): > > A moped is a motor-assisted bicycle that has a maximum attainable speed in one mile or less of 30 mph and produces 2-brake horsepower or less. A moped may be operated with any valid Illinois driver’s license. If a combustion engine is used, the displacement may not exceed 50cc displacement and may not require the operator to shift gears. ---
**Author:** ![Disgscen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f05b48/32.png) [@Disgscen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disgscen)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-licensing-in-illinois/578118/3 "2011-04-12T21:20:13Z")
Under 50cc you can use a normal (car) license. Over that, you need a special endorsement on the license. There are various ways to get this, but it’s never anything like $200. I highly suggest taking the MSF course. When I took this (in 2001, I think), it cost $20. This included training, and a written and riding test at the end which serves as the licensing test. You then need to go to a license facility, turn in your documents, get an eye test and new picture, and you’re on your way. I think this is $15, total. The $20 for the course was refundable, so getting from a car-only license to a car + motorcycle license cost me $15. I’m not familiar with requirements for 50cc - 150cc bikes. ---
**Author:** ![FrustratedIdiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/77aa72/32.png) [@FrustratedIdiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrustratedIdiot)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-licensing-in-illinois/578118/4 "2011-04-13T02:53:28Z")
49cc or under: Class D (vanilla license) 50cc-149cc: Class L 150cc-up: Class M ---
**Author:** ![automagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a698b9/32.png) [@automagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/automagic)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2011, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/motorcycle-licensing-in-illinois/578118/5 "2011-04-13T03:17:25Z")
I agree the MSF course is invaluable for any rider but it cost me $350.00 in 2010 in NY. Well worth it since I think I would have crashed already if no one taught me how to brake in an emergency.