How to Add a Motorcycle
Endorsement to Your License

Washington Motorcycle Safety Training

Motorcycle Endorsement

Getting your motorcycle endorsement in Washington State requires you passing a permit Knowledge and Skills test followed by an endorsement level Knowledge and Skills test. Riders must first obtain a motorcycle permit before they can obtain their full endorsement.

To get your motorcycle endorsement you need to pass 4 tests in total.

You must have a permit or have passed the permit knowledge and riding tests to take an endorsement test.  

Step #1

Permit
Knowledge
Test

The Washington Permit Knowledge test is 50 multiple choice questions on rules of the road and motorcycle safety. 

Step #2

Permit
Skills
Test

The Washington Permit skills test measures your ability to operate a motorcycle legally and safely.

Step #3

Endorsement
Knowledge
Test

The Washington Endorsement Knowledge test is 25 multiple choice questions on rules of the road and motorcycle safety. 

Step #4

Endorsement
Skills
Test

The Washington Endorsement Skills test measures your ability to operate a motorcycle legally and safely.

What to Expect | Knowledge & Skills Tests

Motorcycle Knowledge Tests

The Washington Permit & Endorsement Knowledge test measures your knowledge about motorcycle safety and rules of the road. The Permit Knowledge test is 50 multiple choice questions while the Endorsement Knowledge test is 25 questions.

Motorcycle Skills Tests

The Washington Permit skills test measures your ability to operate a motorcycle legally and safely.

  • Cone Weave
  • Right Turn from a Stop
  • Left & Right Curves
  • Evasive Swerve
  • Normal & Quick Stops
  • U-Turn

Not Sure Where to Start

We have a course selection tool to help you find your path to a motorcycle endorsement

Motorcycle Course Guide

How to add a Motorcycle Permit or Endorsement to your License

Visit DOL's Website

Visit DOL Online

After you pass your permit or endorsement test you will need to add it to your license. Washington residents must meet the following criteria to be eligible to use our the DOL online services to add a motorcycle permit or endorsement to their driver license:

  • Required tests taken  within the  last 180 days through one  of our  partnered  motorcycle  training schools. 

 

  • Active  military  personnel  who have  a  WA driver license  and  are  taking  training  off-base will  follow a  different procedure.  They  will  need to contact their safety  office  on-base.

 

  • Must have  a  current  valid  Washington driver license. 

 

  •  Must be  over 18  years of  age.

 

  • Washington residents under 18 must have  a  parent signature  to  apply  for  a  motorcycle permit or endorsement. They  will  need to visit  a  Licensing  Office  to add a  motorcycle permit or endorsement to their  driver license. Please  note that customers may  use  License  eXpress to complete their transaction, however they  are  not required to have  a  License  eXpress account to add  a  motorcycle permit or endorsement to their driver license. We  are  providing  you with instructions for both scenarios. 

Add your Motorcycle Permit or Endorsement with License Express

 

  • Select “Renew  your license”  if  you are  eligible  for  renewal  (within 1  year of expiration).  If  you are  not eligible  for  online  renewal, select  “Replace  your license”.

 

  • Verify  your information  on the  identity  information  and Physical  appearance  screens.

 

  • On the  New Card portion  of the  screen,  you should see  the following  Endorsement and Restriction codes: 

 

  • A motorcycle permit will  be  shown as an for  Motorcycle Permit and for  Two-Wheel only, Three-Wheel only,  or Two-  and Three-Wheel.

 

  • A motorcycle endorsement will be shown as an  L  for  Motorcycle  Endorsement and J  for Two-Wheel only,  Three-Wheel only, or Two-  and  Three-Wheel. 

 

  • Continue  through the remaining  screens until  you arrive  at the  Summary  screen.  At this time, we recommend  verifying  that  your Motorcycle permit or endorsement is listed in the  Endorsement and Restrictions  section  of  your Summary. 

 

  • Submit  your payment information and complete  your transaction.   

 

  • Print a  temporary  paper copy  of  your driver  license  to carry  with  you until  you receive  your new hard-copy  driver license  with the  motorcycle  permit or endorsement added. You  will  receive your new credential within 2 to 4 weeks.   

Add your Motorcycle Permit or Endorsement without License Express

 

  • Select “Renew your license” if you are eligible for a renewal (within 1 year of expiration). If you are not eligible for renewal, select “Replace your license”.

 

  • Enter and verify your information on the following screens:  Who are you & physical appearance

 

  • On the New Card portion of the screen, you should see the following Endorsement and Restriction codes:

 

  • A motorcycle permit will be shown as an O for Motorcycle Permit and J for Two-Wheel only, Three-Wheel only, or Two- and Three-Wheel. 

 

  • A motorcycle endorsement will be shown as an L for Motorcycle Endorsement and J for Two-Wheel only, Three-Wheel only, or Two- and Three-Wheel. 

 

  • Continue through the remaining screens until you arrive at the Summary screen. At this time, we recommend verifying that your Motorcycle permit or endorsement is listed in the Endorsement and Restrictions section of your Summary. 

 

  • Submit your payment information and complete your transaction. 

 

  • Print a temporary paper copy of your driver license to carry with you until you receive your new hard-copy driver license with the motorcycle permit or endorsement added. You will receive your new credential within 2 to 4 weeks.