Unlicensed to Ride encourages riders to become licensed through survey and mailing campaigns. The survey provides a monetary incentive while the mailing campaign identifies unlicensed riders and encourages them to enroll in a licensing course.
Benefits to Texas Transportation Safety
Motorcycle licensing plays a critical role in improving rider safety and reducing fatalities in Texas by ensuring operators meet minimum training and competency standards. To obtain a Class M license, riders must complete a state approved safety course that teaches hazard recognition, crash avoidance, and defensive riding techniques, which are essential for reducing crash risk. According to the Texas Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, unlicensed riders are disproportionately represented in fatal motorcycle crashes, demonstrating the safety value of proper licensing and training (5). Licensing also supports enforcement efforts by providing a clear legal standard for motorcycle operation and helping identify high risk populations for targeted education and intervention. Additionally, the licensing process reinforces safe riding behaviors, accountability, and compliance with traffic laws. Expanding awareness and compliance with motorcycle licensing requirements directly supports statewide traffic safety goals and contributes to reducing motorcycle related crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
Project Need and Approach
Despite license requirements in all states, a large percentage of motorcyclists involved in deadly crashes chose to ride without a motorcycle license. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 34% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2023 were riding without a valid motorcycle license at the time of the crash. By comparison, only 15% of drivers in motor vehicles in fatal crashes did not have a valid license.
In Texas, the percentage of motorcyclists choosing to ride without a valid motorcycle license is also evident. The Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (TxDOT CRIS) data supports the issue of unlicensed riders. In 2024, 52% of fatal motorcycle rider crashes (operator or passenger) involved an unlicensed motorcycle operator. Riding without a license is already an outlier nationally, but the issue is even more significant in Texas. Unlicensed riders in Texas are further supported by Texas Department of Motor Vehicle (TxDMV) registration data. In 2024, approximately 88,000 individuals with a motorcycle registered in Texas did not have a motorcycle license.
Unlicensed riders represent more than just a compliance problem. When riders forego obtaining the Class M, it means they may not receive motorcycle operator education and training. While some responsible riders may seek other training opportunities or safety knowledge, the State’s training courses may represent the only time all riders learn about lane positioning and conspicuity, negotiating curves, managing obstacles on the roadway or slippery surfaces, and laws associated with riding. Training may also represent the only time all riders are exposed to safe riding habits, such as the importance of wearing a helmet and other protective riding gear, the risks associated with riding impaired or fatigued, and the need for regular motorcycle inspection and maintenance.
TxDOT continues to emphasize the need for rider education and training. In its FY 2025 Request for Proposals, TxDOT listed “raising the awareness of rider education, rider awareness, and motorist awareness” as a high-priority need. It is clear that there is a significant need to encourage riders to enhance their knowledge and skills by attending rider training courses and, ultimately, obtaining a valid motorcycle license.
Project Activities
2025
Building on previous activities, the project team created a strategic plan to guide efforts and surveyed 5 riders completing motorcycle safety training and licensing; participants completed pre‑ and post‑training questionnaires covering rider background, training expectations, and training experiences, and the resulting report was shared with motorcycle safety stakeholders. Survey participants were recruited through email and social media posts. The team also updated the centralized training/licensing website making minor adjustments. These included correcting a link, adding details, and improving clarity, based on stakeholder feedback. To measure the impact of outreach, the team evaluated a prior mailing campaign and found that 9.4% of previously unlicensed riders subsequently completed training and obtained a motorcycle license. In preparation for continued outreach, staff coordinated a new mailing campaign by comparing TxDPS and TxDMV data to identify 88,060 addresses with registered motorcycles but no Class M license. The addresses were mailed postcards encouraging recipients to enroll in training. The project team presented to 33 stakeholders at the Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition meeting, participated in the 2025 Lifesavers Conference, and developed an informational sheet highlighting the importance of training. The informational sheet was published on the Look Learn Live website.
2024
The project team successfully tackled the issue of unlicensed motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes through a multifaceted approach. Key efforts included the development of a strategic plan and the partial sponsorship of one group of riders to complete motorcycle safety training. Riders were surveyed upon completing their training and licensing, providing valuable data on their backgrounds, experiences, and expectations. These insights were compiled into a comprehensive report shared with motorcycle safety stakeholders.
To improve access to information, the project team developed a centralized online resource offering training and licensing guidance, addressing gaps identified in previous reports. Additionally, a targeted mailing campaign was executed, reaching individuals with a registered motorcycle but no endorsement. The fiscal year 2023 campaign achieved an 8.2 percent success rate, with recipients obtaining their motorcycle endorsement after receiving the postcard. In fiscal year 2024, over 82,000 addresses were identified as having a registered motorcycle without a valid endorsement. Approximately 80,500 postcards were mailed, with the remainder deemed undeliverable.
The project also included presentations to Texas motorcycle and traffic safety coalitions, educating key stakeholders on the initiative’s progress and impact. These combined efforts represented a significant step forward in addressing unlicensed motorcycle riders and improving safety across Texas.
Project Title: Unlicensed to Ride: Encouraging Motorcyclists to Complete Training and Licensing
Project Start and End Dates: October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2025
Author List: Crystal O’Rear
Sponsor/Funding Source: Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)