Washington State Motorcycle Laws: Endorsement, Gear, and Insurance

To ride legally under Washington state motorcycle laws, you need a motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license, a DOT-approved helmet and eye protection, liability insurance of at least 25/50/10, a registered bike that meets state equipment standards, and you have to follow motorcycle-specific road rules, including the ban on lane splitting and the prohibition on carrying children under five.

Motorcycle Endorsement

You cannot ride on any public road in Washington without a motorcycle endorsement added to your driver’s license.¹ The minimum age is 16, and you must already hold a valid driver’s license before applying.² Applicants under 18 must complete a state-approved motorcycle safety course and provide proof of parental consent.

Two-wheel and three-wheel motorcycles are separate endorsement categories, each with its own knowledge and skills tests. The Department of Licensing recognizes certain training courses for each type, including the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course for two-wheel endorsements and the Sidecar/Trike Education Program for three-wheel endorsements.³ Completing an approved course can satisfy parts of the DOL testing process.

Instruction Permits

If you want to practice first, Washington issues a motorcycle instruction permit after you pass the required knowledge and skills exams. The permit lasts 180 days and costs $15. You cannot carry passengers on a permit, and you cannot ride at night. The DOL will issue one 180-day renewal, but no more than two permits total in any five-year period.²

Riding Without One

Riding without a valid endorsement is a traffic infraction. The base penalty applies plus an additional $250 fine that goes to the state’s motorcycle safety education fund, and the motorcycle can be impounded.¹

Helmet and Eye Protection

Washington is a universal helmet state. Every rider and passenger must wear a motorcycle helmet whenever the bike is on a public road.⁴ The helmet has to carry a manufacturer’s certification label showing it meets the U.S. Department of Transportation standard under 49 C.F.R. 571.218, and the chin or neck strap must be fastened in motion. Novelty helmets without DOT certification do not qualify, even if the shape looks right.

Eye protection is also required. You need glasses, goggles, or a face shield that conforms to State Patrol rules, unless the motorcycle has a windshield.⁴ A narrow helmet exception applies to enclosed three-wheel vehicles equipped with a steering wheel, seat belts meeting federal standards, and a manufacturer-certified enclosed seating area.

Insurance Minimums

Every motorcycle on Washington roads must be covered by a liability policy meeting the state’s minimum limits:⁵

$25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in a single accident
$50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in a single accident
$10,000 for property damage in a single accident

Carry proof of insurance when you ride. Washington accepts paper cards and electronic versions displayed on a phone or similar device.⁶ If you are stopped without proof, you receive a traffic infraction, though the citation can be dismissed by showing you actually had valid coverage at the time of the stop. The court may still charge a $25 administrative fee for the dismissal.⁵

These minimums are low relative to the real cost of a motorcycle crash. Riders who buy only the state minimum often end up personally liable for medical bills and property damage that exceed those limits. Underinsured motorist coverage and medical payments coverage are worth considering, though neither is required by law.

Equipment the Bike Must Have

The bike itself has to meet several equipment rules spread across different statutes.

Mirrors

Motorcycles must have mirrors on both the left and right sides, positioned to give a clear view of the road for at least 200 feet behind.⁴

Handlebars

Handlebar grips cannot sit more than 30 inches above the rider’s seat.⁷ If you are customizing a bike, measure from the top of the seat cushion to the top of the grip before taking it on public roads.

Lighting and Reflectors

Every motorcycle needs at least one tail lamp mounted between 15 and 72 inches from the ground, plus a lamp (separate or integrated) that illuminates the rear license plate so it is legible from 50 feet. At least one red rear reflector and one stop lamp are also required, and all rear lighting must activate whenever the headlamp or auxiliary driving lamps are on.⁸

Exhaust

You cannot modify the exhaust system in any way that makes the bike louder than the muffler originally installed by the manufacturer.⁹ Aftermarket pipes are allowed as long as they do not raise noise beyond factory levels.

Road Rules Unique to Motorcycles

Lane Sharing and Lane Splitting

Up to two motorcycles may ride side by side in a single lane. Three abreast is not allowed. Lane splitting, where a rider passes between lanes of moving traffic or between rows of vehicles, is illegal in Washington and carries a fine of at least $100.¹⁰ Despite recurring social media claims to the contrary, Washington has not legalized lane filtering. The infraction stays on your driving record.

Passengers

You can carry a passenger only if the motorcycle is designed for more than one person, has a permanent seat for the passenger, and is equipped with footrests. Both the rider and passenger must sit on a permanent, regular seat attached to the bike.¹⁰

Children Under Five

Children under five years old cannot ride on a motorcycle in Washington under any circumstances.⁴ This is a flat prohibition. No child restraint system exists for motorcycles, and there is no exception for a parent riding carefully or for short trips.

Registration

Before you ride on public roads, the motorcycle must be registered with the Department of Licensing. The original license plate fee is $20, with electric motorcycles paying an additional $30. The DOL offers an online fee calculator where you enter your VIN to see the exact taxes and fees owed on your bike.¹¹

For a new motorcycle, bring the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin from the dealer. For a used bike, bring the existing title, along with a bill of sale showing the purchase price for private-party transactions. Keeping registration current matters on an ongoing basis. Expired tabs are an easy ticket, and they give an officer a reason to look more closely at everything else on this list.

1
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.20.500 – Special Endorsement, Penalties, Exceptions
2
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.20.510 – Motorcycle Endorsement, Requirements
3
Washington State Department of Licensing. Types of Motorcycle Training Courses
4
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.37.530 – Motorcycles, Motor-Driven Cycles, Mopeds, Electric-Assisted Bicycles, Helmets, Other Equipment, Children, Rules
5
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.30.020 – Liability Insurance or Other Financial Responsibility Required, Violations, Exceptions
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Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.30.030 – Insurance Identification Card
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Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.61.611 – Motorcycle Handlebars
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Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 46.37.525 – Motorcycles and Motor-Driven Cycles, Tail Lamps, Stop Lamps, Reflectors
9
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.37.537 – Motorcycle Exhaust System
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Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.61.608 – Operating Motorcycles on Roadways Laned for Traffic
11
Washington State Department of Licensing. Calculate Vehicle Tab Fees