Motorcycle training, permits & endorsements, answered.

It happens in two stages: first earn your permit, then earn your endorsement, and finally add it to your license at the DOL. In total that is four tests, the permit knowledge test (50 questions), the permit skills test, the endorsement knowledge test (25 questions), and the endorsement skills test. WMST is a DOL-approved examiner and gives all four, built into our courses. See the full step-by-step endorsement guide.

The permit comes first; it lets you ride during daylight hours and without a passenger, and is good for 180 days. The endorsement is what actually goes on your Washington State driver's license without restrictions. You must hold a valid permit (or current valid permit scores) before taking the endorsement tests.

It depends on where you are starting. Never ridden? Start with KickStart or the Beginner Permit Qualifying course. Ridden a little but no permit? The Intermediate Permit Qualifying course. Already have your permit? The 2-Wheel Endorsement Qualifying course. Ride a trike or Spyder? The 3-Wheel Endorsement course. The how to get your endorsement page maps the whole path, or try the course guide.

WMST gives them. We are a DOL-approved examiner, so you train and test on the same range with the instructors who coached you. There is no separate trip to a state licensing office to take the tests.

The final step is logging into your DOL License Express account. You then renew or replace your license based on its current expiration date. If your license expires within one year, you will RENEW your license. Any expiration date more than one year out will be REPLACED. See the full guide to adding your endorsement.

KickStart is $159. The subsidized course rates are Beginner Permit Qualifying $369, Intermediate Permit Qualifying $269, 2-Wheel Endorsement $269, and 3-Wheel Endorsement $579. Subsidized prices require a Washington driver-license (WDL) number; unsubsidized pricing adds $90. See motorcycle pricing.

Yes. WMST passes through the Washington DOL motorcycle training subsidy for residents with a WDL number, plus active-duty military and their spouses and dependents. Unsubsidized pricing is $90 higher.

They are separate endorsements with their own knowledge and skills tests. Not sure which you need? Read 2-wheel vs 3-wheel.

You may retake any failed test. If you completed a WMST safety course in the past 90 days, you qualify for a Warm-Up Skills retest ($79), and you can use one of our training motorcycles. You can sign up for any retest (skill or knowledge) on our website. See retakes.

180 days, renewable once.

Riders under 18 require a signed parental/guardian consent form. This form must be signed (with valid ID) in the presence of the instructor on the first day of class or testing session.

Yes, we provide a training motorcycle for WMST training courses.

Yes, in many of our courses. Some restrictions apply by location: at Silverdale, your personal bike must have a stock exhaust due to noise rules. See our policies for details.

A DOT-approved helmet, full-finger gloves, eye protection, long pants (denim or heavier), a long-sleeve jacket (denim, leather, or textile), and over-the-ankle boots.

You must attend all scheduled classroom and range sessions. Missing any session may require rescheduling into a future course. See policies.

$75 reschedule fee with 10 or more days notice. No refunds with less than 10 days notice. Emergencies are reviewed case-by-case.

We train across Western Washington, with ranges in Everett, Monroe, Auburn, Tacoma, and Silverdale, plus our Mukilteo classroom. See motorcycle locations for addresses and maps.