Like any other sport, motorcycling requires specialized physical and mental skills; training and practice are required to develop and maintain those skills. You should take training at regular intervals to refresh and build upon your acquired skills, and to maintain muscle memory.
What can training do for you?
Self-taught riders, or those taught by their peers, miss out on important lessons from professional motorcycle instructors such as defensive riding techniques, street strategies, and roadway management skills. In Washington State, the top three causes of motorcycle crashes are speeding, improper cornering, and impairment. Taking additional courses may help you learn how to avoid making these fatal errors. Courses are designed to be fun and engaging, and they may even save you money on your insurance rates!
Course Topics Include:
Risk management Situational awareness Street strategies Hazard anticipation
Dynamic lane positioning
Training schools and Testing Sites
To find an approved training school/testing site near you, visit our website at www.dol.wa.gov
Can I take additional training if I already have my permit or endorsement?
YES! There are a variety of courses available for riders to continue their education, and some are subsidized by the Motorcycle Safety Program. Check with your nearest schools for course availability.
Motorcycle skills are perishable. You should take continuing education/training courses as often as possible. Additional training will teach you new skills and refresh the skills you have; it can help you become the best rider you can be, no matter how long you have been riding.
Additional Training Course Examples:
On-street courses
Advanced cornering courses Off-road classes
Private training
Bike bonding courses
Training Course Fees
Permit and endorsement fees collected by the Department of Licensing are used to subsidize motorcycle training to keep costs affordable for Washington residents and military members stationed in Washington. Please reach out to your local school for rider course fee information.
Nonresidents or residents who take a non-subsidized course pay full tuition costs as determined by the motorcycle safety school.
Contact us by email or phone:
Email ..............motorcycle @dol. wa.gov
Phone............... (360) 902-3900
TTY.................. (360) 664-0116
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF
LICENSING
For more information, please visit our website at: www.dol.wa.gov.
We are committed to providing equal access to our services. For information visit dol.wa.gov/access
{TDD/TTY call 711).
2000-560-102 (R/12/21)
MOTORCYCLE PERMITS AND ENDORSEMENTS
TRAINING FOR LIFE
The more you know, the better you ride
Legal Requirements
Because two- and three-wheeled motorcycles handle differently, separate training, testing, permits and endorsements for each are required by RCW
46.20.515.
To legally operate a motorcycle on Washington State roadways, you must:
Have a motorcycle endorsement or permit
Wear eye protection and a DOT-compliant helmet
Have a minimum of liability insurance coverage for your motorcycle.
If you operate a motorcycle on a public roadway without having the required endorsement or permit, your motorcycle can be impounded, and you may face a fine up to $389.
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Getting Your Permit
To get a two-wheel permit, you must pass the permit knowledge and skills tests.
To get a three-wheel permit, you must pass a knowledge test.
A permit is valid for 180 days
You can renew it once for an additional 180 days before the first permit expires
You must retest if you don't renew before your first permit expires
You cannot get more than two permits within a 5-year period.
There are two ways you can get a permit:
By successfully completing an approved motorcycle safety course
By successfully completing the required testing at an approved motorcycle safety school.
Adding a Permit to Your Driver License
You must wait 3 business days for the school to enter your course/test results into the DOLlicensing system before applying for a motorcycle permit
You must apply for your permit within 180 days of successful test completion
You must have a valid WA State driver license
You must apply for a motorcycle permit online or at a licensing office
You must pay the required fees to add a permit to your driver license.
Getting Your Endorsement
You can get a two-wheel endorsement if:
You have passed the permit tests and the endorsement knowledge and skills tests within the last 180 days
OR
You have a valid 2-wheel permit and have passed the endorsement knowledge and skills tests within the last 180 days.
You can get a three-wheel endorsement if:
You have passed the 3-wheel knowledge and skills tests
OR
You have a valid 3-wheel permit and have passed the skills test within the last 180 days.
You can get an endorsement:
By successfully completing the required knowledge and skills tests which may be included in a motorcycle safety course.
Adding an Endorsement to Your Driver License
You must wait 3 business days for the school to enter your course/test results into the DOLlicensing system before applying for a motorcycle endorsement
You must apply for your endorsement within 180 days of successful test completion
You must have a valid WA State driver license
You must apply for a motorcycle endorsement online or at a licensing office
You must pay the required fees to add an endorsement to your driver license.
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For more information visit our website at www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motorcycles.html.