How PA Motorcyclist Can Skip The DMV Skills Test & Lower Insurance Costs

With motorcycle riding season underway, Pennsylvania officials are urging drivers and riders to look at training and safe habits after a recent downward trend in highway tragedies.

State data reveals that Pennsylvania recorded 2,927 motorcycle-related crashes in 2025, which led to 186 fatalities.

While still substantial, the figures represent a notable decline from 2024, marking a reduction of 376 crashes and 33 deaths, officials said.

Despite the decrease, officials said that the current numbers remain too high fro them.

“Any decrease in crashes and deaths on our roads is great news, but the only acceptable number of deaths is zero,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “Drivers and motorcyclists should continue to share the road safely and watch out for each other so this encouraging downward trend continues, until we reach zero deaths.”

To support safety efforts, the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) provides a range of free training courses designed to help both novice and veteran riders develop or refresh their skills.

Available to any Pennsylvanian holding a motorcycle license or permit, the state-funded curriculum features four distinct classes:

• Basic Rider Course (BRC)
• Intermediate Rider Course (IRC)
• Advanced Rider Course (ARC)
• 3-Wheeled Motorcycle Basic Rider Course (3WBRC)

Permit holders who successfully finish either the basic or intermediate track can secure their full motorcycle license automatically and bypass the standard skills test at a PennDOT Driver’s License Center.

Riders who complete the three-wheel basic course will receive a license restricted exclusively to three-wheeled operations, officials said.

PennDOT offers the educational opportunities at no cost to residents by contracting with multiple third-party training providers.

State officials stated that additional training sites could open as the riding season progresses.

For more information on training sites in the region, visit PennDOT’s website. Additional information can be found at the PAMSP website.

Law enforcement officials stressed that the courses cover more than just steering and balance.

“Motorcycle training not only includes necessary skills to avoid and survive crashes but reinforces the importance of obeying traffic laws like adherence to speed limits and no drinking and riding,” said Capt. Hardeep Rai, the Pennsylvania State Police deputy director for the Bureau of Patrol. “Traffic laws are there to protect everyone and ensure that everyone has a safe trip on our roads, no matter how they choose to travel.”

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) issued a reminder that motorcycle insurance is legally mandated across the state.

“Motorcycles are not just a passion for many Pennsylvanians, but a way of life. Protection for riders comes in many forms. Motorcycle safety and financial protection go hand in hand,” PID Deputy Commissioner for Product Regulation Richard Hendrickson said. “By staying insured and taking advantage of training opportunities, riders can protect themselves on the road while also potentially lowering their insurance costs.”

According to state insurance officials, many insurance providers extend discounts to motorcyclists who complete approved safety courses, maintain clean driving records, or hold memberships in designated associations.

State agencies also issued a coordinated list of behavioral guidelines for everyone sharing the commonwealth’s infrastructure.

Safety tips drivers should keep in mind when sharing the road with motorcycles include:

• Watch for Motorcycles: Be aware that motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections.

• Allow more following distance: Leave at least four seconds when following a motorcycle. 

• Always signal before changing lanes or merging with traffic. 

• Respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the road. Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width: They need room to maneuver safely in all types of road conditions. 

• Never drive impaired.

Motorcyclists can do their part to help avoid crashes by following some simple safety tips:

• Wear reflective clothing and put reflective tape on your protective clothing and motorcycle. Also wear face or eye protection and a DOT-approved helmet.

• Always ride sober, obey all speed limits, and allow enough time to react to potentially dangerous situations.

• Know your motorcycle and conduct a pre-ride check.

• Practice safe riding techniques and know how to handle your motorcycle in adverse road and weather conditions.