As of August 1st, 2012, the Department of Licensing no longer offers motorcycle testing at the local License Service Offices. This responsibility has been given to WMSP certified training schools throughout Washington State by legislative action taken in June of 2011. CWMT has been authorized to administer both the Knowledge and Skills Test by the Washington Motorcycle Safety Program (WMSP) a division within the Department of Licensing (DOL). These tests are separate from our MSF/WMSP Training Waiver Courses and are open to be taken by riders off of the street who would like to challenge the test outside of a training course.
In effect as of January 1st, 2020 the Department of Licensing has implemented numerous changes which has added steps and expense to getting your full 2-Wheel motorcycle endorsement. For more info, please visit
https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/getmoto.html
How do I go about getting my motorcycle endorsement?
To acquire a motorcycle endorsement, you must complete a total of 4 tests- a 2-part permit test and a 2-part endorsement test. This can be done by doing 3rd party testing with CWMT as well as attending either a Basic Riders Course or an Intermediate Riders Course.
FOR A PERMIT- Part 1- A 50 question knowledge test is administered at our classroom site/testing locations in which you must achieve a score of at least 80% to pass. Part 2-a 5 part riding skills test (video demonstrations available on the DOL site- link listed below under Helpful Links) You must have completed the Permit Knowledge test before the Permit Skills test (often scheduled on the same day within an hour or so of each other) The skills test is administered as a group. You must show up for your session ON-TIME! There will be some paperwork to complete before the test so please plan to be onsite about 10 minutes before the scheduled time. All riders will line up for the Skills Exam, which will be taken as a group. If you arrive after the test begins, you may not be allowed to participate. Successful completion of these 2 tests will qualify you for a PERMIT ONLY. Upon successfully completing the 2-part permit testing, visit a DOL office after 3 business days of your testing date to get the permit added to your driver’s license. (3 days are needed for administrative processing time for scores to be submitted to the DOL)
The permit is valid for 180 days and can be renewed for an additional 180 days. After 360 days- renewal will not be permitted for a 5-year period. You will need to come & retest for a permit once it has expired & pay the testing fees again.
FOR AN ENDORSEMENT- Part 3- A 25-question Endorsement Knowledge Test and an Endorsement Riding Skills Test. The knowledge test is administered at our classroom site/testing locations in which you must achieve a score of at least 68% to pass. Part 4-a riding skills test- during this test you will be asked to complete a few maneuvers including a quick stop performed at approximately 20-25 mph as well as a timed figure 8 element that will assess left and right cornering skills. (video demonstrations will be uploaded to the DOL site- coming soon) See link below under Helpful Links. You must have completed the Permit Knowledge and Permit Skills test prior to coming to test for your Endorsement Knowledge Test followed by the Endorsement Skills Test. Endorsement testing is most often scheduled on the same day within an hour or so of each other.
Note- We will not be offering bike rentals for 3rd party testers for the Endorsement Skills Test. This test is at higher speeds and due to the higher risk of dropping we will require that you either bring your own bike, or take an Intermediate Riders Course with us to gain the skills necessary to take this test. Clarification- Students of the IRT class will be able to use our bikes for the Endorsement Skills Test at the end of their class.
The test is administered as a group. You must show up for your session ON-TIME! There will be some paperwork to complete before the test so please plan to be onsite about 10 minutes before the scheduled time. All riders will line up for the Skills Exam, which will be taken as a group. If you arrive after the test begins, you may not be allowed to participate. Successful completion of these final 2 tests will qualify you for the Endorsement- you will need to visit a DOL office after 3 business days of your testing date to get the endorsement placed on your driver’s license. (3 days are needed for administrative processing time for scores to be submitted to the DOL)
We are not the DOL- you must attend a DOL office to get the endorsement placed on the driver’s license.
CWMT offers permit testing as part of the Basic Rider Course and offers the endorsement testing as part of the Intermediate Riders Course. You can choose how you’d like to complete the 4 tests- i.e.
- Register for a scheduled DOL Permit Written Testing session to complete the knowledge and skills test for the permit followed by attending an Intermediate Riders Course to complete the Endorsement Testing within 360 days of the permit testing date.
- Register for a Basic Riders Course to complete the permit testing followed an Intermediate Riders Course to complete the Endorsement testing within 360 days of the permit testing date.
- Register for a scheduled DOL Permit Written Testing session to complete the knowledge and skills test for the permit followed by attending an Endorsement written and skills testing session within 360 days of the permit testing date.
!!!Please Note!!! If you're a rider under 18 years old you can come test for your permit knowledge and skills test but must have a parent/guardian sign the consent form before testing. To complete the endorsement test you must complete an approved rider course and will again need a parent/guardian’s signature to take the course and apply for the endorsement.
COST
Permit Knowledge Test $40.00. Permit Skills Test will be $60.00. Bike Rental for Permit Skills Test $50.00
Endorsement Knowledge Test $50.00 Endorsement Skills Test $60.00 Bike Rentals are not available for the Endorsement Testing- you must bring your own bike
Payment is due at the time of registration in order to reserve a spot. If you need help with your online registration please feel free to give us a call at (509) 884-6186. Payment can be made by credit/debit card. Cash is accepted if you walk in for a scheduled testing session, however please be aware that online registrations have priority for the scheduled sessions and you may need to wait until space has opened up for test. We do not accept checks.
Retests/Refunds/Cancellations - There will be no refunds given if you do not achieve a passing score. To retest you would need to pay the testing fee again. Please study and practice prior to coming out to test with us. If you need to reschedule your testing session, please e-mail or call us at least 48 hours in advance of your session. There will be a $25 Cancellation Fee if you're unable to attend. You're welcome to attend and pay cash to avoid cancellation fees. Please note that these costs do not include fees charged by the DOL to add a permit or endorsement to your license.
When can I come in to take a test or register for a test/class?
Currently we are at the office only during testing sessions and during scheduled classes. Although our office isn’t open for walk-in customers during regular business hours, we do have our phone on us and would love to answer any of your questions or help get you signed up for tests or classes. All of the services we offer are listed on our website and can be scheduled under the registration drop down box. Please check our Class Schedule to get the specific dates and times for when all 4 parts of the tests will be administered. We add testing sessions as the season goes on and offer testing on varying times/days of the week to help meet the needs of our customers and their busy schedules. If you aren’t seeing sessions listed, please check back after a few days. If the dates posted aren’t working for your schedule- please give us a call and we will see if we can create more sessions to allow for a time that will work for you to come see us.
What to Bring
- You will need your Driver's License
- Confirmation receipt you received via email. At the time of the test we have a report of who has registered, however please have a copy of your confirmation just in case our report is missing your name. Proof on your phone works!
- Proof of completing the 2-part permit testing if you are attending an Endorsement Testing session
- Street legal motorcycle (disregard if renting one of our bikes- rentals are not available for the Endorsement Skills Test- see more info above under Endorsement Skills Testing) Your motorcycle will undergo a brief safety inspection to check for leaks, the operation of the brakes and that the tires have a reasonable amount of tread.
- DOT approved helmet
- Eye protection. (i.e. sunglasses)
- Before attempting a test, you will be asked to sign a Liability Waiver (under 18- Guardian must sign prior to testing)
Helpful links:
DOL Motorcycle Operator Manual- https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/docs/motomanual.pdf
DOL How to get your endorsement or permit: Motorcycles (2-wheel)- https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/getmoto.html
DOL Motorcycle Testing (What to expect on the tests) - https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/mototesting.html