Washington is a beautiful state that has much natural sightseeing like beautiful forests, coasts, mountains, and many more. It offers so many places to visit, and what better way is there to do it than to sit on a motorcycle and start exploring.
But before you can sit on your motorcycle, you need to have a valid motorcycle license, and in this article, we will help you get your motorcycle license in the state of Washington.
So how do you get a motorcycle license in Washington? As a general rule, you need to be at least 16 years old, and if you are under 18, you will need to have a signed consent form by your parent or guardian. You need to have a valid Washington state driver’s license and pass the basic and advanced motorcycle knowledge test and skills test.
Further in this article, we will cover more in-depth the process of getting a motorcycle license in Washington. Stay with us for more details.
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Requirements for Washington Motorcycle License
It is illegal to ride a motorcycle without a motorcycle license or motorcycle learning permit in Washington, and that is why we will help you get your license and what steps you need to take to get it as easy as possible.
Some things changed in 2020 in the process of getting a motorcycle license in Washington.
Note: You need to know that you can not get a motorcycle license in the state of Washington without a valid state driver’s license, which in some states you can get a motorcycle-only licensing. Have that in mind before applying for a motorcycle license.
You will need to complete a couple of basic requirements to get a motorcycle endorsement in Washington. Here is a list of requirements that you need to complete for getting a Washington motorcycle licensing:
- Be at least 16 years old and have a consent form signed by your parent if you are under 18
- Possess a valid Washington state driver’s license
- Complete the basic motorcycle knowledge test and skills test to get a motorcycle permit
- Complete the advanced motorcycle knowledge test and skills test to get a motorcycle endorsement
Note: The process of getting a motorcycle endorsement in Washington changed in 2020. Before 2020, you could waive the requirement for the two endorsement tests if you had a valid motorcycle permit, and now you have to complete four tests before you can get a valid motorcycle license in the state of Washington.
These four tests include the following:
- Basic knowledge test
- Advanced knowledge test
- Basic skills test
- Advanced skills test
You may ask, why did they change it? The change was made to make the riders go to formal motorcycle training before getting a valid motorcycle endorsement in order to reduce motorcycle accidents. If we take the numbers from 2015 and 2017, 14% of traffic deaths included motorcycle riders and 19% serious motorcycle accidents in Washington, yet only 3% registered vehicles.
How to Get a Valid Motorcycle License in Washington State?
Although it may seem that getting a motorcycle license in Washing is complicated because you need to pass four tests at some of the approved motorcycle training schools, the good news is that it is not so complicated to get it. Here are the four basic steps you need to do to obtain a motorcycle license in the state of Washington:
Step 1: Complete the Basic Motorcycle Knowledge Test and Skills Test
You need to get a Washington state motorcycle permit before getting a motorcycle endorsement. You need to be a minimum of 16 years old and have a valid Washington driver’s license. This process starts with completing two tests:
- The permit knowledge test
- The permit riding skills test
There are two options for completing these tests for getting a Washington state motorcycle permit, and these tests are not conducted by the Department of Licensing but by approved third parties.
These are the two potions for taking the tests:
- Complete an approved motorcycle safety course, and in this course, both the riding test and knowledge test will be part of the safety class.
- Complete the knowledge and riding tests at some of the approved motorcycle training schools without going to the training course.
Tip: You should study the Washington Motorcycle Operator Manual before taking the tests.
Note: You can check the list of approved motorcycle training schools here.
The motorcycle permit knowledge test is a test that consists of 25 questions, and you need to have a minimum of 80% score to pass the test. After completing the knowledge test, you will need to pass the skills test, which is organized in a group setting, usually on the same day as the knowledge test.
After you get your motorcycle permit, you are allowed to ride and practice riding on the streets of Washington state. However, there are some restrictions that you need to follow while riding your motorcycle with a learning motorcycle permit. You can only ride alone without having a passenger, and you can ride only during the daytime.
You can practice for 180 days, which is how long your motorcycle permit will be valid, and once you feel ready, you can take the endorsement test. If you think you are not prepared and need more time, you can renew your Washington motorcycle permit one more time for 180 more days. But you need to do it before the expiration of your motorcycle permit.
In five years, you are allowed to have one motorcycle permit and only one renewal, and this is why you should have a serious approach to completing this task successfully.
Tip: Here, you can try the Washington motorcycle license practice test to prepare you to pass the test. This practice test is based on the Washington Motorcycle Operator Manual.
Here is a video with questions where you can practice for the test:
Step 2: Obtain a Washington State Motorcycle Permit
After successfully completing the motorcycle permits test, you can add your motorcycle permit to your valid Washington state driver’s license. You can add your permit to the license online. There is only one thing you will need to do, and that is to wait for three business days so the motorcycle school where you passed the permit test can add your test results to the DOL system.
Create an account with the DOL or log in if you already have an existing one. Select Replace License or Renew License (choose this option if your driver’s license expires in the next 12 months) and after that, follow the instructions.
After you complete everything as described and you get to the Card Information, you will notice that your Washington motorcycle permit is listed as O, your endorsement with a J– restriction under the new card. While you wait for your permanent license with the motorcycle endorsement to arrive in your mail, you can print your temporary license and have a copy of it by your side.
Step 3: Complete an Advanced Motorcycle Knowledge Test and Skill Test
After you have obtained your motorcycle permit, you have 180 days or, in case of renewal, 360 days to complete the following two tests to receive your Washington motorcycle endorsement.
The tests for the Washington motorcycle license are similar to the tests that you need to complete to get a motorcycle learning permit, and the only difference is that they will test your more advanced motorcycle riding skills and knowledge.
You can go to any approved motorcycle training school to complete the Washington state motorcycle license driving and knowledge test.
The knowledge endorsement test is made of 50 questions, and to pass the test successfully, you will need to have a minimum of 80% or more to finish the test.
Once you have completed the knowledge test, you will need to complete the riding skills test. In this test, you will need to perform a couple of riding maneuvers, including a timed figure eight and a fast stop at 20-25 mph.
If you are a minor 16-17 years old, you will need to have a consent form signed by your parents, which must be done at the licensing office. You will need to complete one more extra step before getting a motorcycle endorsement, and that is completing an approved motorcycle safety course.
Here is a nice video showing you what the skills test will look like and what you can practice to prepare yourself:
Step 4: Obtain a Washington Motorcycle Endorsement
After completing the last two tests, you will have 180 days to apply for the Washington motorcycle license endorsement.
Here is what you need to do to receive your motorcycle endorsement in Washington state:
- Log in to your DOL account or create one here
- Select Replace License or Renew License (choose this option if your driver’s license expires in the next 12 months)
- Follow instructions to verify information
- Your motorcycle license will show up under section Card Information as L – Endorsement with a J – Restriction
You can now print your temporary motorcycle license and have a copy of it by your side. You will get your updated permanent driver’s license in your mail, and you will have your motorcycle endorsement in it.
Note: You don’t have to go to the DOL office to get your motorcycle endorsement.
How to Transfer a Valid Motorcycle License from Other State to Washington State?
Is it possible to transfer your motorcycle license from other states to Washington State? Yes, you can do it, and all you need to do is get your Washington state license, and after that, you can transfer your out-of-state endorsement.
Note: You must know that you can transfer only the valid motorcycle endorsement when you apply to get your Washington driver’s license. Also, remember that you will have to pass the knowledge and skills test or a motorcycle safety course if you don’t transfer the endorsement simultaneously as you transfer your out-of-state driver’s license.
There are some states like California where you can get a motorcycle-only license. With this type of license, you can ride a motorcycle only, and you are not allowed to ride any other vehicle type like a car, for instance.
If you want to learn How to Get a Motorcycle License in California, click on this link.
There is another scenario where if you possess an out-of-state motorcycle license but you don’t have an endorsement on your driver’s license, you will not be able to transfer it to the Washington driver’s license, and the reason for that is Washington state doesn’t have motorcycle-only licenses.
FAQ Washington Motorcycle License
How Much Does a Motorcycle License in the State of Washington Cost?
To get a motorcycle license in Washington state, you will need to pay the DOL fees, including the application fee, which ranges between 17-27$ and 84$ for the license endorsement fee for the next six years, which also consists of the renewal fee for the driver’s license. You will also need to pay for the permit and endorsement tests and safety courses, but this price is determined by each motorcycle school, although these costs will be subsidized by Washington state.
Each skills test costs between 50-75$, and the cost of the knowledge test are around 50$. A safety course that also offers the test may range from 150-400$.
For What Motorcycles Do You Need a Motorcycle License for in the State of Washington?
You need to possess a valid motorcycle license in Washington state to ride legally a scooter or bike 50 CC or stronger than that or a motorcycle that is faster than 30 mph.
How Do I Obtain a Motorcycle Permit in the State of Washington the Easiest Way?
You need to complete an approved motorcycle safety course, or you need to pass the permit skills and the knowledge test in any of the approved motorcycle schools, and you will get a Washington state motorcycle permit.
What Is the Minimum Age to Get a Motorcycle License in Washington State?
You have to be a minimum of 16 years old to obtain a valid motorcycle license in Washington. If you are 16-17 years old, your parent or guardian must go to the DOL office and sign a consent form.
Can I Have a Motorcycle License without a Valid Driver’s License in Washington State?
No, you can not get a motorcycle license without a valid Washington driver’s license. You will need to get a driver’s license first and your motorcycle endorsement next.
Conclusion
So as you may see, you need to meet a couple of requests before getting your Washington motorcycle license. You need to pass a motorcycle safety course, complete a knowledge and skills test to get your motorcycle learning permit, and then you can go to an endorsement knowledge and skills test to get a motorcycle endorsement.
I hope you liked this article and that it has helped you in the process of getting your valid Washington motorcycle license.