Michigan Motorcycle Endorsement Prep

The endorsement process

Michigan calls the motorcycle endorsement CY and adds it onto your existing driver license. Two paths get you there.

Path A — Rider safety course (recommended)

• Complete an approved Michigan Rider Education Program (MI-REP) basic course.
• Bring the completion card to a Secretary of State office.
• Pass a vision test and pay the fee (currently $16 for a first CY).
• The on-cycle skills test is waived.

Path B — Test it yourself

• Visit an SOS office. Pass the vision test and a written knowledge test to get a Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP).
• With the TIP you may ride during daylight, no passengers, no expressways, under supervision of an endorsed rider within line of sight.
• Practice for up to 180 days, then schedule and pass the Rider Skills Test at a private testing organization.
• Bring the skills certificate back to the SOS office; they issue the CY endorsement.

Other requirements

• At least 16 years old.
• Hold a valid Michigan driver license (Level 2 or 3 GDL if under 18).
• Pass a vision screening at the SOS office.
• The written test pass threshold is about 80% — roughly 20 correct out of 25.

Gear and Michigan law

Helmets

Michigan has a partial helmet law. Riders and passengers 21 or older may ride without a helmet only if all of the following are true:

• The rider has held the motorcycle endorsement for at least 2 years, or has passed an approved safety course.
• The rider carries at least $20,000 in first-party medical benefits in addition to standard auto insurance.
• If a passenger rides without a helmet, the passenger also carries the $20,000 coverage and is 21+.

Riders under 21 must wear a DOT-approved helmet at all times. A passenger under 21 must wear a helmet regardless of the operator's age.

Eye protection

Required for all riders unless the motorcycle is equipped with a windscreen. Most experienced riders wear shatter-resistant eye protection regardless.

Other gear (best practice, not Michigan-mandated)

• Abrasion-resistant jacket and full-length pants in a bright color.
• Sturdy over-the-ankle boots.
• Full-finger gloves with palm protection.
• Layered clothing for weather; hi-vis for low light.

Vehicle law

• Headlight must be on any time the motorcycle is operating — day or night.
• Carrying a passenger requires a dedicated passenger seat and dedicated footrests.
• Lane sharing / lane splitting / lane filtering between lanes of traffic is prohibited. Two motorcycles may ride side-by-side in one lane if both riders consent.

Pre-ride inspection — T-CLOCS

Before every ride, do a quick check. The MSF mnemonic is T-CLOCS:

• Tires & wheels — pressure, tread depth, no embedded objects, no cracking, rim true.
• Controls — levers and pedals not bent, cables not frayed, throttle snaps closed, hoses not leaking.
• Lights & electrical — headlight high/low, brake light triggered by both front and rear brake, turn signals, horn.
• Oil and other fluids — engine oil, coolant, brake and clutch fluid, no leaks under the bike.
• Chassis — frame undamaged, suspension free of leaks, chain or belt correct tension, fasteners tight.
• Stands — center stand and side stand spring back fully, pivots tight, no cracks.

Controls

• Right hand: throttle (twist toward you to accelerate) + front brake lever.
• Right foot: rear brake pedal.
• Left hand: clutch lever.
• Left foot: gear shifter. Pattern 1 - N - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5(-6). Press down for 1st; lift up through neutral into higher gears.

Always use both brakes for a normal stop. Squeeze the front brake progressively — never grab it. Practice threshold braking (firm pressure short of lockup) in a parking lot until it's reflex.

Riding basics

Turning — countersteering

At any normal road speed motorcycles turn by countersteering — press the inside grip forward and the bike leans into the turn. To turn right, press the right grip forward.

Slow-speed maneuvers

Below about 5 mph use the friction zone of the clutch combined with light rear brake. Look where you want to go, not at the ground.

Stopping

Use both brakes. If the rear wheel locks, keep it locked until you stop — releasing it mid-skid can high-side you. If the front wheel locks, release immediately and re-apply progressively.

Following distance

Minimum 2 seconds in normal conditions. 4+ seconds in rain, gravel, fog, heavy traffic, or when being tailgated.

SEE — your scanning strategy

SEE is the MSF strategy for managing risk in traffic:

• Search aggressively 12+ seconds ahead, plus behind and to the sides.
• Evaluate what could go wrong: road surface, traffic, other drivers' actions.
• Execute a plan — adjust speed, position, or communication (signals, horn).

Lane position

Think of a single lane as three positions:

Intersections — the most dangerous place you'll ride

Statistically, intersections are where most motorcycle crashes happen. The classic threat: a car waiting to turn left across your path doesn't see you or misjudges your speed.

• Cover the front brake when approaching any intersection.
• Look at the driver — eye contact is suggestive but not a guarantee they see you.
• Watch the front wheels of the threatening car — wheel movement is the earliest reliable signal they're going.
• Be ready to escape — pick your out (right, left, brake hard) before they go.

Hazards

• Slippery surfaces: wet leaves, painted lines, manhole covers, metal plates, gravel, oil spills. Slow before, look up, smooth controls.
• Grooved or grated pavement: creates a wobble feeling — relax, hold steady throttle, ride straight through.
• Crosswinds: lean into the wind, grip with knees, expect a tug when passing trucks or exiting tunnels.
• Animals: slow rather than swerve unless you have clear room — swerving at speed is a leading cause of crashes.
• Object in road: if unavoidable, slow as much as you can, rise on the pegs, hit it as straight as possible.

Impairment

Alcohol affects motorcyclists faster and worse than car drivers because riding demands continuous balance and coordination. Even one drink degrades reaction time and judgment.

• Michigan's BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers 21+; 0.02% for drivers under 21.
• Fatigue, prescription drugs, and OTC meds (especially antihistamines) can be as impairing as alcohol.
• Coffee, food, and time do not meaningfully accelerate sobriety. If you've been drinking, don't ride.

Group riding

• Newest rider second from the front so the leader can keep tabs.
• Buddy system — every rider watches the rider directly behind them.
• Single file for curves, low light, tight roads, lane changes.
• Plan stops and route in advance. Hand signals before you need them.

Practice quizzes

Quiz 1: 25 questions on the core safety + Michigan-specific topics. Pass threshold 20 (80%).