Get a 2-wheel motorcycle permit or endorsement

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

• If you're under 18, you must pass an approved 2-wheel motorcycle safety course.
• Your parent or guardian must sign a consent form at a licensing office.

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.
   • If you need help adding your permit or endorsement in License eXpress, please visit a driver licensing office.

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
• U.S. State Department
• 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.

If you're a Washington resident stationed out-of-state

1. Complete and pass:
   • An approved Motorcycle Safety Foundation course or
   • A Basic Rider Training course (Idaho and Oregon) or
   • California Motorcyclist Safety Program Training
2. Send us the following:
   • A completed Testing Waiver Request form.
   • A copy of both sides of your WA driver license.
   • A copy of both sides of your course completion card within 365 days of completing the course.
   • Proof of your active military status (orders, letter from your commanding officer, earning statement, etc.)
   • A check or money order payable to Department of Licensing. See our fees page for more details.
   • If you have an enhanced driver license (EDL), you must surrender it to add the endorsement. Complete the Notice of Surrender form.

Fees

Knowledge and riding skills test fees are set by each training school. You will pay testing fees to the school.

You will pay the following application and licensing fees to the Department of Licensing:

• Motorcycle instruction permit fee – collected when we issue your instruction permit.
• Original motorcycle endorsement fee – includes the application and new driver license.
• Motorcycle endorsement renewal fee – paid in addition to the regular driver license renewal fees.

Frequently asked questions

Am I required to have insurance for my motorcycle?

All motor vehicles are required to carry insurance.

My motorcycle speedometer reads up to 60 mph, but I never ride faster than 30 mph. Do I need an endorsement?

If your speedometer reads faster than 30 mph, you need a motorcycle endorsement.

Can my child be a passenger on my motorcycle?

Your child can be a passenger if they're at least 5 years old and able to reach the foot pegs.

Can I put the license plates on my motorcycle vertically?

Your motorcycle plates must be placed in a horizontal position and visible at all times. Not meeting these requirements is one of the top reasons riders are stopped by law enforcement.

I have an Ignition Interlock License (IIL). Can I get a motorcycle endorsement?

You can't add a motorcycle endorsement until the IIL has been dropped from your license.

Are novelty helmets legal to wear?

Not all helmets are legal to wear while riding a motorcycle. All helmets must be certified by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT sticker should be on the outside and inside of the helmet. A sticker will have the manufacturer's name/ID, model, size, month/year of manufacture, and information about the construction and other safety-related information.

Related laws

• RCW 46.20.500: Special endorsement — Exceptions
• RCW 46.20.505: Special endorsement fees
• RCW 46.20.510: Instruction permit — Fee
• RCW 46.81A.020 -Powers and duties of director
• RCW 46.20.515: Examination — Emphasis — Administration — Waiver
• RCW 46.37.530: Motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, mopeds, electric-assisted bicycles — Helmets, other equipment — Children — Rules
• RCW 46.04.330: Motorcycle
• Federal standards for motorcycle helmets (ecfr.gov)