Department of Licensing Brochure

   

How to get your 2-wheel motorcycle permit

Take the 2-wheel knowledge and skills tests

  1. You must take the 2-wheel knowledge and skills test at an approved motorcycle safety training school.
  2. We recommend taking the permit knowledge and riding skills tests as part of an approved course. 
  3. Wait 3 business days for the school to enter the course/test results into our system before applying for your permit.

Apply for your permit

  • You must apply within 365 days of completing the tests.
  • If you're under 18, your parent or guardian must sign a consent form at a licensing office.
  1. Apply online without creating an account or log in or join to apply online and save your information.
  2. Select "Replace your license or state ID card."
    • You may select "Renew my ID/license" if your license is within 1 year of expiration.
  3. On the card information screen, your 2-wheel motorcycle permit will show as an O - Endorsement with a J - Restriction in the new card section.
  4. The summary screen shows your permit details before completing the transaction.
  5. Print a copy of your temporary driver license with endorsement.
    • You must have your temporary driver license on you to ride until you get your updated driver license.
    • You can find your temporary driver license in your License eXpress account.

Permit rules

  1. Your permit will be valid for 180 days.
  2. You must have either valid permit tests or a valid permit to renew.
  3. You are only allowed one initial permit and one permit renewal within a 5-year period.
  4. You must renew your permit before it expires to avoid having to retest.
  5. While driving with an instruction permit on a public roadway:
    • You may not carry passengers.
    • You may not drive during the hours of darkness.

How to renew your permit

  1. Apply online without creating an account or log in or join to apply online and save your information.
  2. Select "Replace your license or state ID card."
    • You may select "Renew my ID/license" if your license is within one year of expiration.
  3. Follow the prompts to verify or update your information.
  4. Pay the renewal fee.

How to get your 2-wheel motorcycle endorsement

Take the 2-wheel knowledge test and skills test

  1. You must take your permit knowledge and skills tests and endorsement knowledge and skills tests at an approved motorcycle safety training school.
  2. We recommend taking these tests as part of an approved course.
  3. You may show a valid 2-wheel motorcycle instruction permit instead of taking the permit knowledge and skills tests.
  4. Wait 3 business days for the school to enter the course/test results into our system before applying for your endorsement.

Apply for your endorsement

Endorsement tests are valid for 365 days. You must have an active permit or valid permit tests — both written and skills — to apply for your endorsement.

  1. Apply online without creating an account or log in or join to apply online and save your information.
  2. Select "Replace your license or state ID card."
    • You may select "Renew my ID/license" if your license is within one year of expiration.
  3. On the card information screen, your 2-wheel motorcycle endorsement will show as an L - Endorsement with a J - Restriction in the new card section.
  4. The summary screen shows your permit details before completing the transaction.
  5. Print a copy of your temporary driver license with endorsement.
    • You must have your temporary driver license on you to ride until you get your updated driver license.
    • You can find your temporary driver license in your License eXpress account.

Transfer your endorsement

  1. You must have a valid motorcycle license or endorsement from another state.
  2. Apply for a Washington State driver license.
  3. Bring proof of your current motorcycle license or endorsement and payment when you get your license.

We can transfer valid endorsements from:

  • U.S. states
  • U.S. territories
  • District of Columbia
  • British Columbia
  • Japan

If you don't transfer your endorsement when you apply for a license, you'll need to complete a motorcycle safety course or pass the knowledge and riding skills tests to get an endorsement.

Military duty

If you're a non-resident stationed in Washington

  1. Complete and pass a 2-wheel motorcycle safety course.
  2. Apply for a Washington State driver license.
  3. Bring your course completion card to a licensing office within 365 days to get your motorcycle endorsement.

   Washington State Motorcycle Operators Manual  https://dol.wa.gov/media/105/download?inline

For more information visit our website at www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motorcycles.html.