WA state rules?

I'm one of the lucky ones who took advantage of a grace period in 2005 to get my "2 wheel" license upgraded to "all motorcycles" which allows for both 2 and 3 wheelers.So I can't speak from experience but I do believe you will have to take two road tests and pay $25 each time.

Good luck. It'll all be worth the aggravation once you are legal. No more worrying about impounded bikes.

You only have to take the knowledge test and ride test to obtain an endorsement to operate a 3 wheel motorcycle in Washington. If you want a 2 wheel motorcycle endorsement you will also have to take a seperate test.
But both are not required unless you are going to ride both types of motorcycles.
Thom Sears
Gig Harbor, WA

thanks much. I've got my DMV manual to read, and I'll take the class if I think I need it. Wouldn't hurt. Gotta get the bike first, get it running =)

If you take (and pass) the Evergreen Safety Council Sidecar/Trike course, the DMV waives the state's testing requirements. You just take the "passed" card you get from the course down to the DMV and they issue you a new license with the endorsement (for a fee of course). Evergreen Safety Council will let you use your own sidecar rig (if it passes their safety inspection) or you can use one of their rigs. One of the other nice things about the course, if you want to try a Trike sometime during the course, you can. They usually run the courses down at the Boeing parking lots in Kent and Renton. I personally really enjoyed the class – especially the part where they teach you how to fly the chair. I first took their motorcycle class, during which I found out my knees were not going to hold up for the landings (but I did pass the course), so I took the sidecar/trike course and have been a happy camper since (daily commute from Vashon Island to downtown Seattle).

Hi Guys,

I've only taken the written test, so I'm got my "learner's permit" after only 40 years of riding....but if the written test is any indication, the test is going to be very simple. I looked the booklet over once, and went in and aced the written test, although my experience says that there were better answers to a couple of the questions. Now that I have the turn signals working on the bike/combo, I'll go take the test and finally be legal. Legal is good.....

Took the ESC course out of Moses Lake last year (MAY) and I believe it was worth the subsidized course fee. The completion card plus $25 was all that was required for a sidecar endorsement.
Took the Adventure Sidecar course in Oregon this year (JUN) and, while it may or may NOT be acknowledged by WA DOL, it is definitely worth the cost.

Either way, unless you've got years of sidecar experience, I think it worthwhile. IF you're already on three wheels, it may help you eliminate bad habits, or pick up new/refine existing techniques. If you're not, it may be a good way to find out if sidecaring is something you want to take a hack at (sorry - couldn't resist!).
Cheers!
Tony

I do think the sidecar course would be good for me. Do you know if you can take it (for the sub. fee) AFTER you've completed your road test/gotten legal? I'd like to start riding ASAP, but do want to take the course. Don't know if that's possible, or even makes sense. I've never ridden a sidecar before, so I know the course will be good for me.

I first purchased and read through the "yellow book" - "Driving a Sidecar Outfit", then took the test for a learners permit, which allows you to legally ride during daylight hours with no passengers. After that I took the safety course and got my endorsement. You can get the "Driving a Sidecar Outfit" book from many places, I got mine at: http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=1105It was highly recommended in many forums and I also highly recommend reading it. There are many aspects of driving a sidecar rig that are not intuitive, and the book does a good job of explaining them. The safety course is great, as the instructors can pass on their experience - I never got the chair in the air till I took the course 🙂

To the best of my knowledge, yes, you ~can~ take the subsidized course at ~ANY~ time... You should try calling ESC if that's what you're contemplating.
Took the S/TEP the ~first~ time around BEFORE deciding if I wanted a sidecar or not; your situation is a tad different... but, that being the case, you may still want to take the class first. They provide the combinations after all, and you never know, you may decide it's not worth fixing that old honda... in which case, I'd be glad to load it on a trailer and get it outa' your garage! 8^D
Cheers!