Washington - Apply for Motorcycle License

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Procedure

Motorcycles (2-wheel)

Two ways to get a 2-wheel motorcycle endorsement:

Option 1

1. Complete a motorcycle safety course at an approved motorcycle training school: The safety course will include the knowledge and riding skills tests to get your endorsement.
2. Once you pass the safety course, bring your course completion card to any driver licensing office within 180 days to get your motorcycle endorsement.

Option 2

1. Pass the knowledge and riding skills tests: You can take the tests at an approved motorcycle training school.
2. After you pass the knowledge test, you may apply for an instruction permit to ride on public roadways.
3. To obtain a permit, bring your pink test score sheet to a driver licensing office.
4. When you both passed the knowledge and riding tests, bring your green score sheet to any driver licensing office within 180 days of passing the tests to get your motorcycle endorsement.

Additional requirements:

• For teen rider under 18 years old:

You will need to satisfactorily complete an approved rider course before you can apply for a motorcycle endorsement. You must have parental permission to take the course, and to apply for the endorsement.

• For those who have a valid motorcycle license or endorsement from another state:

See how can get a Washington State driver license. To transfer your motorcycle endorsement when you get your Washington license, youll also need to bring a proof of your current motorcycle license or endorsement. You will need to pay an additional fee for the endorsement. Note: If you dont transfer your endorsement when you apply for a Washington driver license, youll need to complete a motorcycle safety course or pass the knowledge and riding skills tests to get a motorcycle endorsement.

• For non-residents stationed in Washington on military duty:
  • You will need to successfully complete an state-approved safety course at a motorcycle training school or military base.
  • Apply for a Washington State driver license.
  • Bring your course completion card to any driver licensing office within 180 days to get your motorcycle endorsement.
• For Washington residents stationed out of state on military duty:

See link for instructions

Three-wheel sidecar/trike

Two ways to get a sidecar/trike endorsement:

Option 1

1. Complete a sidecar/trike safety course at an approved sidecar/trike training school: The safety course will include the knowledge and riding skills tests to get your endorsement.
2. Once you pass the safety course, bring your course completion card to any driver licensing office within 180 days to get your motorcycle endorsement.

Option 2

1. Pass the knowledge and riding skills tests, at a sidecar/trike training school.
2. After you pass the knowledge test, you may apply for an instruction permit to ride on public roadways.
3. To obtain a permit, bring your pink test score sheet to a driver licensing office.
4. When you both passed the knowledge and riding tests, bring your green score sheet to any driver licensing office within 180 days of passing the tests to get your motorcycle endorsement.

Additional requirements

• For teen rider under 18 years old:

You must satisfactorily complete an approved rider course before you can apply for a motorcycle endorsement. You must have parental permission to take the course, and to apply for the endorsement.

• For those who have a valid sidecar/trike endorsement from another state:

See how you can get a WA driver license. To transfer your sidecar/trike endorsement when you get your WA license, youll also need to bring proof of your current sidecar/trike license or endorsement and pay the fee. Notes: If you dont transfer your endorsement when you apply for a WA driver license, youll need to complete a sidecar/trike safety course or pass the knowledge and riding skills tests to get a sidecar/trike endorsement. If your current out-of-state endorsement covers both motorcycle and sidecar/trike, only the motorcycle endorsement will be transferred to your new WA driver license. You must successfully complete a sidecar/trike safety course or pass the sidecar/trike tests to add the 3-wheel endorsement to your license.

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Required Documents

• Proof of Washington Residence
• Proof of identity.
• Evidence of Social Security number. If you don't have one, youll need to show proof of Washington residence.

Proof of Washington Residence

For applicants who do not have a Social Security number, bring as many of the following documents as possible to be reviewed as proof of your Washington residence address:

• Home utility bill (gas, electric, water, garbage, land-line telephone, or ISTA. etc):
  • Not acceptable: Cable, internet or satellite TV bills.
• A college or university document that has your current residential address on file.
  • Off-campus students: Bring the printout from the SEVIS database which:
    • States the address where you currently live.
    • Proof it was printed by the Designated School Official or Responsible Officer.
• Selective Service card with your current residential address.
• Vehicle title (not a Quick Title with a tamper proof tape over the VIN and Title number).
• Bank-issued documents that include your name and current residential address (or your previous address if youve recently moved). Examples:
  • Account statement
  • Credit card statement
  • Mortgage statement

Notes:

• Your documents must include your name and current Washington residential address.
• If you recently moved to a new address, bring both your current and previous documents to prove you were living in Washington.
• Documents other than the ones listed above may be taken into consideration if they show you reside in Washington.
• Its illegal to present fraudulent documents. If the Licensing Office find that your documents are fraudulent, you wont be able to reapply for 364 days.

Proof of identity:

• For those under 18 years old: Documents you may present
• For those 1825 years old:Documents you may present
• For those over 25 years old:Documents you may present
• For those aged 18 or older and have been assigned court guardians:Documents you may present
• For those enrolled in Job Corps:Documents you may present

Documents that will be accepted:

• Original or certified copies of the documents listed below.
• Multiple documents issued by a foreign government or organization, must be approved by the Licensing Office and will be accepted as separate documents. Currently accepted multiple documents are those issued by the:
  • Mexican government
  • Guatemalan government

Notes:

• The Licensing office may ask for more documents.
• The list may change without notice.

Stand-alone Documents:

• Washington State driver license, ID card, or instruction permit Valid or has expired within 1 year, has your signature, date of birth and photo.
• Out-of-state driver license, ID card, or instruction permit (if you have a Social Security number) Valid or expired within 60 days and has your photo. Give the Licensing Office your Social Security number so they can verify it.
• U.S. armed services ID card with photo Valid.
• U.S. passport Valid, has your signature and photo (an emergency passport isnt acceptable).
• Immigration ID with signature Valid, from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, with:
  • Your signature and photo which are identifiable (I-327, I-551, I-571, I-766). or
  • A Signature Waived notation or encrypted signature on the back of the card.
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization An original with your signature and photo.
• Department of Social and Health Services Childrens Administration (DSHS CA) ID letter If you're in:
  • Court-ordered foste

Eligibility

Motorcycles (2-wheel)

To apply for a motorcycle instruction permit, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Have a valid Washington State driver license.
• Pass the knowledge test on motorcycle operation.
• If youre under 18 years old, have a parent or guardian sign the consent form when you apply.

Sidecar/trike

To apply for a sidecar/trike instruction permit, you must:

• Be at least 16 years of age.
• Have a valid WA driver license.
• Pass a knowledge test on sidecar/trike operation.
• If youre under 18 years old, have a parent or guardian sign the consent form when you apply.

Instructions

Before you can legally ride in Washington, you must have a 2-wheel motorcycle or 3-wheel sidecar/trike: an endorsement on your driver license or an instruction permit to learn how to ride on public roadways.

• If you have 2-wheel motorcycle or scooter that:

Is larger than 50cc, or can go faster than 30 mph : You need a 2-wheel endorsement

• If you have 2-wheel motorcycle or scooter that:

Is 50cc or smaller and has a maximum speed of 30 mph : You dont need an endorsement

• If you have 2-wheel motorcycle or scooter with a stabilizing conversion kit installed : You need a 3-wheel endorsement
• If you have motorcycle with a sidecar : You need a 3-wheel endorsement
• If you have a 3-wheel trike : You need a 3-wheel endorsement
• If you have a 3-wheel vehicle with a seating area, safety belts, and a steering wheel: You dont need an endorsement

Required Information

• Full Name
• Father's Name
• Permanent Residential Address
• Date of Birth
• Age
• Social Security Number

Need for the Document

Following are procedures on how you can apply for a motorcycle license in Washington.