What a motorcycle endorsement is, who needs one, and how to add it to your Washington driver license.
In Washington the motorcycle privilege is an endorsement added to your driver license, and it comes in two separate forms: a two-wheel endorsement and a three-wheel endorsement. State law requires separate training, testing, and endorsements for two- and three-wheeled motorcycles because they handle so differently (p.1-1).
Washington uses a permit-then-endorsement sequence. You first earn an instruction permit, practice under its restrictions, and then pass additional tests to upgrade the permit to a full endorsement. You must have at least the permit to ride legally, and riding without it risks a $389 minimum fine and impoundment.
| Endorsement | Motorcycle-Only License | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Drivers who already hold a Washington license | Riders without a regular driver license |
| Added to | Your existing license | Issued as its own license |
| Knowledge test | Motorcycle knowledge test | Motorcycle knowledge test |
| Lets you drive a car | Yes — keeps your car privileges | No — motorcycle only |
Washington riders take a motorcycle permit knowledge test first, then a separate endorsement knowledge test before the endorsement is added. Plan to prepare for both stages.
Washington does not waive the tests the way some states waive a skills test for a safety course. Instead, all of the knowledge and skills tests are given by DOL-approved motorcycle training schools, and those tests are built into the novice, intermediate, and advanced rider courses.
You are not required to take a course to take the tests, but completing an approved training course is the normal path and may also qualify you for a motorcycle-insurance discount. Riders under 18 must complete an approved safety course before they can apply for an endorsement (p.1-2, 1-3).
Motorcycle permit and endorsement fees are set by the Department of Licensing and are used to subsidize rider-training classes and program administration. Confirm the current amounts at dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/fees.html before you apply.
When you move to Washington with a valid out-of-state motorcycle endorsement, tell DOL staff you want to transfer it; a three-wheel endorsement transfers only if you can show you passed a separate, distinct three-wheel test in your former state, otherwise you receive a two-wheel endorsement (p.1-6).
Source: Test details are confirmed on the official agency page. Washington uses TWO knowledge tests: a 50-question motorcycle permit test, then a 25-question endorsement test. Passing scores are not officially published; ~80% (permit) and ~68% (endorsement) are third-party estimates.