New analysis: 1,776 riders lacked motorcycle licensing in crashes
Blakeley Law analysis of 2024 fatal crash data shows 1,776 motorcycle riders lacked valid motorcycle-specific qualifications. The figure represents the largest share of licensing shortfalls among the 6,357 riders involved in such crashes nationwide.
Of those riders, 4,011 held valid motorcycle licenses, equaling 63.1 percent. Another 453 riders had no license of any kind, or 7.1 percent. Motorcycle license not required applied to 47 riders, or 0.7 percent, while licensing status remained unknown for 70 riders, or 1.1 percent. Riders lacking valid motorcycle-specific authorization accounted for 79.7 percent of the two invalid-licensing categories combined.
NHTSA data indicate 35 percent of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes lacked valid motorcycle licenses, compared with 14 percent of passenger vehicle drivers. Previous license suspensions or revocations affected 15.4 percent of motorcycle riders versus 11.8 percent of passenger car drivers. Prior speeding convictions appeared in 22.0 percent of motorcycle riders' records versus 17.6 percent for passenger car drivers. Previous crashes were recorded for 19.5 percent of motorcycle riders versus 17.0 percent of passenger car drivers. Prior DWI convictions affected 3.8 percent of motorcycle riders versus 2.7 percent of passenger car drivers.
Invalid licensing concentrated most among adult riders in several age bands. Riders aged 15–20 totaled 616 involved with 250 invalid licenses, or 40.6 percent. Riders aged 21–24 totaled 720 involved with 264 invalid licenses, or 36.7 percent. Riders aged 25–34 totaled 1,444 involved with 610 invalid licenses, or 42.2 percent. Riders aged 35–44 totaled 1,129 involved with 469 invalid licenses, or 41.5 percent. Riders aged 45–54 totaled 901 involved with 302 invalid licenses, or 33.5 percent. Riders aged 55–64 totaled 866 involved with 223 invalid licenses, or 25.8 percent.
Riders aged 25–44 accounted for 1,079 of the national invalid-licensing total, or 48.4 percent. Within that group 874 riders lacked valid motorcycle-specific authorization while 205 had no license at all. The qualification-related category was therefore approximately 4.3 times as large as the completely unlicensed category among these adults.
Among riders aged 65 or older, 88 of 648 involved in fatal crashes lacked valid motorcycle licenses, approximately 13.6 percent. The lower rate suggests motorcycle qualification policies deserve scrutiny across adult populations, particularly where drivers may already possess conventional driving credentials.
Maryland compared motorcycle registration records with driver licensing files and contacted owners whose records lacked required motorcycle authorization. NHTSA's Countermeasures That Work reports the outreach prompted approximately 1,700 owners to obtain licenses within four months. A randomized evaluation found the mailing increased licensing, although a substantial proportion of targeted owners remained unlicensed.
California tested a similar registration-based outreach approach and recorded comparable licensing improvements. Washington authorized vehicle impoundment in 2007 for drivers lacking required endorsements; an evaluation found no statistically significant effect on new or total motorcycle endorsements.
NHTSA's July 2026 motorcycle safety report confirms invalid licensing remains a substantial issue. Licensing gaps extend well beyond riders who never obtained any driver's license. The new federal figures give states a timely opportunity to examine endorsement requirements, licensing records, and measures designed to improve compliance.
