As motorcyclists get their bikes and protective gear ready for the upcoming riding season, they also need to make sure they are ready to ride legally.

“Having a regular Class D license allows you to drive a car or light truck. However, you also need a motorcycle endorsement on your Class D license to legally operate a motorcycle in Wisconsin,” said Wisconsin State Patrol Captain Adrian Logan of the North Central Region/Wausau Post.

A violation for operating a motorcycle without the proper endorsement costs $200.50 along with three demerit points.

To obtain a motorcycle endorsement on your driver license, you must demonstrate competency in operating a motorcycle.

This can be done in two ways:

•Passing a Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) administered motorcycle driving skills test. For the WisDOT driving skills test, the applicant must provide a motorcycle in good working order and wear eye protection and an approved helmet. Skills tests are conducted by appointment (http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/sch-road-test/schedule.aspx) at DMV service centers (http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/online-srvcs/find-dmv/default.aspx) located throughout the state.

•Obtaining a waiver for the skills test by successfully completing a WisDOT approved Basic Motorcycle RiderCourse, 3-Wheel Basic RiderCourse, or the Basic RiderCourse2 (for experienced riders). More information about the safety courses is available on the WisDOT website at: http://wisconsindot.gov/Pages/dmv/motorcycles/mc-safety/default.aspx.

“Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience. But it also takes more physical skill and mental concentration than driving a typical car or light truck,” Logan said. “To protect themselves and others on the road this riding season, we urge motorcyclists to get a motorcycle endorsement on their driver license if they don’t already have one.”