WMST · Washington Motorist & Motorcycle Safety Training
Two wheels or three

2-wheel vs 3-wheel endorsement in Washington

Washington issues two motorcycle endorsements. A 2-wheel endorsement covers standard motorcycles, while a 3-wheel endorsement covers trikes and can-am style machines. Which you need comes down to what you ride. Here is how to choose, and the course for each.

Updated June 5, 2026 · 2 min read

What each endorsement covers

The 2-wheel endorsement is the standard one, and it lets you ride conventional two-wheel motorcycles. The 3-wheel endorsement is for three-wheeled machines: trikes and the increasingly popular can-am style rides. They are separate, because balancing and steering a two-wheeler is a genuinely different skill from controlling a three-wheeler.

Which one you need

Simple rule: match the endorsement to the machine. If you ride or plan to ride a standard motorcycle, you need the 2-wheel endorsement. If your ride has three wheels, you need the 3-wheel. Some riders get both over time. If you are unsure what suits you, the difference in handling is exactly what a course is for.

The course for each

WMST trains for both. The 2-wheel endorsement course is the path for standard motorcycles, and the 3-wheel endorsement course is built specifically for trikes. Both include the testing that waives the DOL exams, so finishing the right course earns the right endorsement.

Tip: if you already own the bike, train on the type you will actually ride. The skills transfer best when the course matches your machine.

Common questions

What is the difference between a 2-wheel and 3-wheel endorsement?

The 2-wheel endorsement covers standard motorcycles; the 3-wheel covers trikes and can-am style machines. They are separate because the two handle very differently.

Which endorsement do I need?

Match it to your machine. Standard motorcycle means the 2-wheel endorsement; a three-wheeled ride means the 3-wheel endorsement.

Can I get both?

Yes. Many riders earn both over time. You take the course that matches each type of machine.

Does WMST teach both?

Yes. WMST offers a 2-wheel endorsement course and a dedicated 3-wheel endorsement course, each including the testing that waives the DOL exams.

Ready to ride?

Book a motorcycle course with WMST, or call and we will point you to the right one.

Ready to begin?

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Whether you're chasing a first license or a motorcycle endorsement, the next step starts here. One register page, every program.

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