Requirements vary by state and may change at any time. Some states only require a car license, while others need a motorcycle license or endorsement. Insurance and helmet rules also differ.
Below is a quick guide — but always check with your DMV, as rules can vary.
• Arizona → Motorcycle or Car license with motorcycle endorsement, registration and insurance required, helmet required.
• California → Standard car license, registration and insurance required, helmet required.
• Connecticut → Standard car license, registration and insurance required, no helmet needed.
• Florida → Standard car license, registration and insurance required, helmet required if under 21
• Hawaii → Any license, registration and insurance required, helmet required if under 18.
• Massachusetts → Any license, registration required (insurance not required but recommended), helmet required.
• Michigan → Any license, registration required, insurance not required, helmet required if under 19.
• New Hampshire → Any license, registration required, insurance not required, helmet not required.
• New Jersey → Motorcycle or Car license with motorcycle endorsement, registration and insurance required, helmet required.
• New York → Any license, registration and insurance required, helmet required.
• North Carolina → Any license, registration and insurance required, helmet required.
• Oklahoma → Standard car license, registration and insurance required, helmet required if under 18.
• South Carolina → Any license, registration required (insurance not required), helmet required if under 21.
• Texas → Standard car license, registration and insurance required, helmet required if under 18.
• Virginia → Standard car license, registration and insurance required, helmet required.