In Colorado motorcycle riding is the favorite past time of many. Having access to the breathtaking scenery of the Rocky Mountains, riding trails and group events make Colorado an ideal and beautiful place to ride a motorcycle.

Another aspect of motorcycle riding also includes racing - i.e., motocross, road racing and drag racing, which have a huge fan base in the state. Colorado also boasts of having numerous tracks making racing a favorite sport.

In order to enjoy all of these activities there are certain Colorado motorcycle license requirements that you must meet. Those include Colorado motorcycle training courses and actual license issuance for regular riders, as well as for the racing enthusiasts.

In the State of Colorado you need to be 18 years old to obtain your Colorado motorcycle license.

"You need to be at least 16 years old to apply for an endorsement, but it is not entirely that simple. If you are under 18, you need to need to maintain a motorcycle instruction permit for a minimum of 12 months before attempting the upgrade. If you are between 15 and 16, obtaining a permit requires the completion of a (Colorado) Motorcycle Operators Safety Training (MOST) Program, which is offered by numerous private companies that also offer testing. It also requires the direct supervision of a qualified MSF instructor at all time when riding a motorcycle.

The under-18 crowd also needs to have a parent or guardian complete an Affidavit of Liability and Guardianship in order to receive an endorsement." (www.dmv.org)

Colorado motorcycle permit or license requirements for a learner are, as follows:

"A person sixteen years of age or older who, except for his or her lack of instruction in operating a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, would otherwise be qualified to obtain a driver's license under this article to drive a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, may apply for a temporary instruction permit, pursuant to sections 42-2-107 and 42-2-108. The department shall issue the permit entitling the applicant, while having the permit in the applicant's immediate possession, to drive a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle upon the highways while under the immediate supervision of a licensed driver, who holds a valid Colorado driver's license and is twenty-one years of age or older, authorized under this article to drive a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. The permit shall expire three years after issuance." (www.abateofcolo.org)

Three wheelers are hot - simple as that. The "3" endorsement on your regular Colorado motorcycle license denotes the number of wheels. "You can add a 3 wheel motorcycle '3' endorsement to your license by:

1. Pass the written test at a Driver's License office, purchase a 3 wheel motorcycle instruction permit, pass a drive test with an authorized 3rd-party tester and pay the fee to add the endorsement to your license.

Or,

2. Enroll in a Sidecar/Trike Education Program (S/TEP) training course and, after successful completion of the course, present your S/TEP certification card at a Driver's License office. When you present your S/TEP certification card at a Driver's License office, the written and drive tests are waived. Pay the fee to add the endorsement to your license. Note: per Colorado law, minors under 18 are required to purchase and hold a motorcycle instruction permit for 12 months before adding the motorcycle endorsement to their license. Minors under 16 must be under the direct supervision of the S/TEP motorcycle instructor at all times while driving a motorcycle.

NOTE: A general motorcycle 'M' endorsement allows you to operate any type of motorcycle. However, a 3 wheel motorcycle '3' endorsement allows the operation of 3 wheel motorcycles, only." (www.colorado.gov)

You do not need a Colorado motorcycle training or license "for moped plated scooters for adults- the reason bars have so many scooters in parking lots after the drivers license has been pulled for drunk driving." (www.cheapelectricmotorscooter.com)

Road Racing

In order to obtain a road racing license the Motorcycle Road Racing Association (MRA) requires " all novice riders take a "Race School" with the MRA, or through an accredited local race instructor." (www.mra-racing.org)

Schools such as Ricky Orlando's Motorcycle School will provide you Colorado motorcycle classes that will accredit you in order for you to obtain your license for road racing.

Moto/Super Cross

To obtain your licenses in these two classes you, firstly, need to start accumulating points within one year's time span. These points are obtained by attending races. The AMA Pro Racing Association requirements to issue a license include:

"Riders must meet one of the following criteria to be eligible for an AMA Motocross license:

1. Hold a Pro Motocross license in either 2008 or 2009 or a Supercross license in 2008, 2009 or 2010.
2. Earned at least 75 advancement points (at the time of application) in the AMA Pro/Am Motocross Series.
3. Finish in the top 15 overall positions in the AMA Amateur National Motocross Championship in 2009 or 2010 in the 250A, 450A or Pro Sport classes.
4. Earn 50 Arenacross class points in the 2008-09 or 35 points in the 2009-10 AMA Arenacross Series.
5. Earn 75 Arenacross Lites class points in 2008-09 or 60 points in the 2009-10 AMA Arenacross Series.
6. AMA Pro Racing may issue a license to any rider who does not meet the above criteria if it determines, in its sole discretion, the rider has adequate competition experience. Prior to approval under these criteria, riders must submit for advance approval an Eligibility Questionnaire' (www.admin.amaproracing.com)

Also, it is worth mentioning that for the 2011 season, the minimum age to obtain an AMA Motocross license is 18. Prior to that it was 17 - "Applicants who do not meet the minimum age requirement at the time of license application, but who met the minimum age requirements and had been issued an AMA Motocross, AMA Supercross or AMA Supercross Lites license in the previous year, will be grandfathered and issued a license if one of the below requirements is met." (www.admin.amaproracing.com)

Drag Racing

"Competitors with a dial-in of 9.99 or quicker are required to have a valid NHRA Competition License. " (www.mdra4u.com)