(1) Unless exempted under Section 63-1-7 or Section 63-1-6.1, no person shall drive or operate a motorcycle, except for an autocycle as defined in Section 63-3-103, upon the highways of the State of Mississippi without first securing an operator’s license with a motorcycle endorsement upon it.

(2)

(a) A motorcycle endorsement may be issued to any person who holds a valid Mississippi driver’s license and meets the other requirements for a motorcycle endorsement contained in this chapter.

(b) Every applicant for a motorcycle endorsement shall first obtain a temporary motorcycle permit, successfully complete the examination provided in Section 63-1-33, and pay the temporary motorcycle permit fee and examination fee prescribed in Section 63-1-43. Applicants for a temporary motorcycle permit shall:

(i) Be at least fifteen (15) years of age;

(ii) Operate a motorcycle only under the direct supervision of a person at least twenty-one (21) years of age who possesses either a valid driver’s or operator’s license with a motorcycle endorsement or a valid restricted motorcycle operator’s license;

(iii) Be prohibited from transporting a passenger on a motorcycle;

(iv) Be prohibited from operating a motorcycle upon any controlled access highway; and

(v) Be prohibited from operating a motorcycle during the hours of 6:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m.

Temporary motorcycle driving permits shall be valid for the same period of time and may be renewed upon the same conditions as regular learner’s permits issued under Section 63-1-21.