Ohioans who wish to learn how to ride a motorcycle safely and responsibly can sign up online for rider courses beginning Thursday, January 23 at 9 a.m. 

These courses will begin as early as March and will run through mid-November. 

The Motorcycle Ohio program, offered by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, strives to provide affordable and effective programs at just $75 per course. 

Last year, the program trained over 11,000 students.

The program provides different levels of safety courses for riders based on their skill levels and objectives. The types of courses included are: 

- Basic Rider Skills: A 16-hour course where students will participate in four hours of classroom, and 12 hours of on-cycle training covering topics such as cornering, braking, swerving and traffic interaction. No experience is required and will be provided with motorcycles and helmets. 

- Basic Rider Skills 2: This seven-hour refresher course will provide students on-cycle training without a formal classroom setting while using their own street legal two-wheeled motorcycle. 

- Advanced Rider Skills: A recommended one-day course for experienced riders who already have a strong understanding of the basic skills. Students will use their personal motorcycle to improve their cornering and stopping techniques. This course will begin selecting training sites in late 2025. 

Students must have a validated motorcycle temporary permit before taking the first riding session. 

The state is making it easier to get a motorcycle permit by offering the knowledge test as part of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) online services. You must be 18 years old and have an active Ohio Class D driver's license or Commercial Drivers License (CDL).

Education for riders is one of the keys to making our roadways safer for all drivers. 

- Since 2020, 1,022 motorcyclists have been killed in crashes on Ohio's roadways.

- An average of 81% of motorcycle fatalities involved riders who were untrained. 

Motorcycle Ohio courses are being taught at 36 training sites around Ohio. Find out more how to prepare for a course and enroll at motorcycle.ohio.gov.