Straight answers to the most common questions about passing the DOL motorcycle knowledge exam.
Four. For a two-wheel endorsement you must pass a basic knowledge test and a basic skills test to earn the permit, then an advanced knowledge test and an advanced skills test to earn the endorsement. All four are taken at a DOL-approved training school.
The basic (permit) knowledge test is widely reported as 50 questions and the advanced (endorsement) knowledge test as 25 questions. The Department of Licensing does not publish official question counts or passing scores, so treat those figures as third-party estimates and study the whole manual.
Washington does not publish an official passing score. Third-party sources estimate roughly 80% on the permit test and about 68% on the endorsement test. Because the exact bar is not published, aim to answer every question confidently.
No. You do not have to take training to take the permit or endorsement tests, but all of the knowledge and skills tests are given by DOL-contracted training schools, not at a regular licensing office.
Yes. State law requires separate training, testing, and endorsements for two- and three-wheeled motorcycles because they handle so differently. A two-wheel endorsement does not let you ride a trike or sidecar rig, and vice versa.
Pass a knowledge test to get a three-wheel permit, then pass a skills test to get the three-wheel endorsement. Both tests are given by DOL-approved training schools.
You must be at least 16 and hold a current Washington driver license. The permit bars carrying passengers and riding at night, expires after 180 days, and may be renewed only once. You may hold no more than two permits within a 5-year period.
Yes. After you complete the required exams there is a waiting period of three business days before you may visit a licensing office to have the endorsement added to your license.
Yes. Washington law requires all riders under 18 to satisfactorily complete an approved safety course before applying for an endorsement, and they must have parental permission to take the course and apply.
Riding without the required permit or endorsement can get your motorcycle impounded, and the current minimum fine is $389. Liability insurance is also mandatory for all motorcycles.
Washington has a universal helmet law. Every rider and passenger must wear a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards, shown by a DOT label on the rear exterior and interior. Novelty helmets are not DOT-compliant and may not be worn on public roads.
Yes, unless your motorcycle is equipped with a windshield. The manual notes that even a windshield or goggles may not protect against all debris, and that tinted eye protection should not be worn in low-visibility conditions such as dusk, fog, or rain.
No. In-ear hearing protection (ear plugs) is legal, but in-ear speakers (ear buds) are not legal to use while riding in Washington.
Any passenger on a two- or three-wheeled motorcycle in Washington must be at least five years old, must have a passenger seat and footboards or pegs, and must wear a DOT-compliant helmet.
No. Riding between lanes (lane splitting) and riding on the shoulder are both against the law in Washington. However, motorcycles may use HOV (diamond) lanes at any time, and two motorcycles may legally ride side-by-side in a single lane.
An adult is considered intoxicated at a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or above. For riders under 21 the limit is 0.02%, and a rider over 21 is impaired at a THC blood concentration of 5 nanograms. Impairment begins at the first drink.
A minimum following distance of three seconds is recommended for both two- and three-wheeled motorcycles. Three seconds is the absolute minimum for ideal conditions; open it up for weather, fatigue, poor surfaces, or heavy traffic.
To be operated legally on public roads a motorcycle must have mirrors, a muffler, a horn, a license plate, a headlight, a taillight, and turn signals.
The Washington Motorcycle Operator's Manual is published by the Department of Licensing and is free to read or download at dol.wa.gov. The knowledge-test questions are based on it.
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.