Ask ABATE of OK .....

In Oklahoma, riders and operators who are over the age of 18 have a choice to wear a helmet when traveling on a motorcycle and are not required by law to do so.

However, any person who operates or rides a motorcycle and is under the age of 18 is required by law to wear a helmet.

Although Oklahoma does not require adults to wear a helmet while traveling on a motorcycle, it is highly recommended for your safety that you do so.

Oklahoma also utilizes the rule of comparative negligence when determining fault in a motorcycle accident case. This means the level of fault you had in causing your own injuries will reduce the damages you can recover from your claim.

If a court finds that you neglected to wear a helmet and were injured in a motorcycle accident, you could be considered partially at fault for your injury.

To apply for a Motorcycle license between the age of 14 and 16, you must appear before a Driver License Examiner, present the required documentation and take a vision and the basic law written exam.  You will have to present a completion certificate showing you have completed a basic riders course approved by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Under the age of 16, you have to hold a learner permit for a minimum of 30 days. The Learner Permit will allow you to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle:

Click here to see a list of Approved Motorcycle Schools

1. With a piston displacement not to exceed three hundred (300) cubic centimeters;
   
   
2. Between the hours of 4:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. only;
   
   
3. While wearing approved protective headgear; and
   
   
4. While accompanied by and receiving instruction from any person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and who is properly licensed pursuant to the laws of this state to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, and who has visual contact with the restricted license.
   
   
5. Per Title 47 11-805 No person shall operate any motorcycle at a speed greater than the legally posted speed limit; provided, in no event nor at any time shall an operator under the age of sixteen (16) years drive a motorcycle on a highway which has a minimum speed limit established and posted.
   
   
6. Per Title 47 11-805 No person shall operate any motor-driven cycle at a speed greater than the legally posted speed limit; provided, in no event nor at any time shall any operator drive a motor-driven cycle at a speed greater than thirty-five (35) miles per hour.

The restricted licensee may apply on or after thirty (30) days from date of issuance of the restricted class D license with a motorcycle-only restriction to have the restriction of being accompanied by a licensed driver removed by successfully completing the driving portion of an examination. If the licensee presents a completion card showing that the applicant has completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course, the road test and written test will be waived.

Applicant must appear before a Driver License Examiner and furnish both primary and secondary documentary proofs of identity, proof of full legal name and birth date, and proof of legal presence in the United States.

• Click here to see a list of Approved Motorcycle Schools
• Click here to see a full list of acceptable identification
• Click here to see a list of Driver Exam Sites

The applicant must bring in the following:

1. Primary ID — usually a state-certified birth certificate. For a complete list of acceptable primary identification documents, click here.
   
   
2. Secondary ID — usually a Social Security card. For a complete list of acceptable secondary identification documents, click here. 
   
   
3. Social Security Number.
   
   
4. Anyone under the age of 18 must successfully complete a Motorcycle Basic Riders course approved by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
   
   
5. If you are under 18 years of age, you must bring documentation showing you meet the current enrollment or attendance requirements in a secondary or vocational technical school and that you have successfully passed the criterion - referenced reading test required for all eighth grade students (usually referred to as the school letter). If you cannot obtain a letter from an Oklahoma school, click here for a list of alternate documents.
   
   
6. If you are under the age of 18, you must have a Parent or Legal Guardian present.
   
   
7. Applicant must bring in any documents showing a legal name change: Such as Marriage, Adoption, Divorce etc:
   These documents should connect all of the last names from the birth certificate to the current last name. Read more »

• You must hold a Learners Permit for 30 days, after which time you are eligible for the skills (drive) test. If you have successfully completed an approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, the skills (drive) test may be waived.