There’s a certain sense of freedom and “owning the road” when you’re on a motorcycle. With the wind in your face and the speed and power just at your fingertips, it can be exhilarating and a lot of fun.

However, alongside the benefits of having a bike as your mode of transportation, there are some drawbacks. According to research from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), there were 54,165 on-road registered motorcycles in West Virginia in 2023. Despite many motorcycles being on the road at any given time, they are often overlooked and end up being struck by other vehicles, especially on high-traffic or congested roadways.

Does driving a passenger car not do it for you, and you want to experience the thrill that can only come with getting on a motorbike and traveling down the road with the open air blowing all around you? Below, we’ll outline motorcycle license requirements in West Virginia so that you can adequately prepare yourself to secure it and keep it once you have it.

Steps To Obtain a West Virginia Motorcycle License

According to the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV), anyone wishing to travel on public roads by motorbike must first obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit before one of the following:

• A Class F motorcycle-only driver’s license
• A motorcycle endorsement (Class F) on your driver’s license

Motorcycles offer a sense of flexibility and freedom that many people do not find when behind the steering wheel of a larger motor vehicle. Riding a motorcycle can also make more financial sense for some people, as they both cost less and have better fuel efficiency.

When you’re riding your motorcycle, you want to focus on how open and free you feel with the wind whipping around you. You probably try not to think about the negative things that could happen, like getting into a collision. Even though you want to focus on the positives and have a good time, it’s important to consider what could happen if things go wrong.

When you think of riding a motorcycle, you might exclusively imagine riding on a sunny summer day. But you can still ride your motorcycle into winter if you’re careful and know the safest ways to ride in colder weather. While it could be more dangerous to ride in the winter, there are ways to ride that can keep you on your bike in December and still have fun.