Rider Education

M/C License Endorsement Changes For Washington

3-Wheel Legislation

Passage of the Monty Lish Memorial Act - Senate Bill 5229 -mandates that the Department of Licensing provide a separate skills education program for riders of motorcycles with sidecar and trikes. In addition, the bill requires endorsement testing and driver license endorsement that is specifically designed for riders of motorcycles with sidecar, and trikes. The bill has an effective date of January 1, 2004 and the department has begun its work to implement the bill.

When the bill takes effect license endorsement codes will identify riders of two-wheel motorcycles, riders of three-wheel motorcycles, and riders of both two- and three-wheel motorcycles. First time three-wheel motorcycle riders may complete an approved skills education course or pass the department's rider knowledge and off-street skills tests. A $5 application fee and a $20 license endorsement fee will be required.

Current three-wheel riders are also required to obtain a license with a new endorsement code. From January 1, 2004 through June 30, 2004, three-wheel riders with an existing motorcycle endorsement will be grandfathered. The rider will certify their experience and make the endorsement switch by paying a $10 license fee. No additional testing will be required. After the grandfather period all riders may complete a skills education course or pass the required endorsement tests, and will pay a total of $25 in application and license endorsement fees.

Additional information and an FAQ about the implementation of the bill will be published on the department's Internet website in the near future. We encourage trike and motorcycle with sidecar riders, and other people interested in three-wheel motorcycle rider training and testing, to check back for the FAQ at www.dol.wa.gov.

ESSB 5229 M/C Endorsement Changes