Washington state licensing has changed it's motorcycle endorsements. As of January 1st, 2004, there will be 2 wheeled motorcycle, 3 wheeled motorcyle and 2 & 3 wheeled motorcycles. More information on Senate Bill 5229 can be found at:
http://www.dol.wa.gov/ds/mtrcycle_lish.htm and
http://www.dol.wa.gov/ds/sidecarfaq.htm
Got my new endorsement two weeks ago. Went from a 3 (unlimited motorcycle) to a Grade 7 (2 or three wheels unlimited). Cost was zip, new picture and new license. After June 30th it will cost you and you will have to choose between two or three wheel endorsement, or both. Non endorsed riders will have to take a written and road test and pay for each endorsement. $$$$$$
How does this effect us traveling thru from another state that does nt require such endorsement?
It shouldn't affect you at all, as long as you're legal in your state.
We,
Being, Myself, Mary Margaret Haugen; chair of the WA State Transportation Comittee, Dave Wendell; formerly with the Evergreen Safety Council and now CEO of motorcyclesafety.com, and unnamed others, pursued this legislation to give parity to three wheeled vehicle operators with two wheeled cyclists. Sidecarists and Trikers were orphans.
We were all paying for subsidized training through our endorsement fees. but the state was only subsidizing training for two wheeled operators.
When I first mentioned this to Ms. Haugen, she agreed that the status quo was, in effect, discriminatory to the many cyclists who for various reasons could not operate a two wheeled motorcycle. She also agreed that a three wheel only endorsement and training subsidy would pay for itself and not be a public burden. She promised to do something about this and with the help of her staff, Dave and others, kept her word.
If one is not a Washington State resident, the licensing rules that apply in your state are acceptable here. This legislation is for the benefit of licensing and training Washington residents for safe three wheeled driving.
IF YOU ARE OPERATING A TRIKE OR SIDECAR OUTFIT RIGHT NOW AND YOU LIVE IN WASHINGTON STATE AND YOU DO NOT HAVE A SPECIAL LISCENSE TO OPERATE IT YOU ARE NOT LEGAL.
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THE FOLLOWING IS FROM (there is more to be read there):
http://tinyurl.com/2yz4f
Did the legislature pass a new three-wheeled motorcycle law?
Yes, during its 2003 session the legislature passed Substitute
Senate Bill 5229, which establishes a special three-wheeled
motorcycle endorsement knowledge and skills test for operators of
motorcycles with sidecar, and trikes. The bill also requires the
Department of Licensing (DOL) to establish training for three-
wheeled motorcycle riders.
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When does the new license endorsement requirement become effective?
The law takes effect January 1, 2004.
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When the law goes into effect what do I have to do to lawfully
operate a three-wheeled motorcycle?
Like operating a two-wheeled motorcycle, you must have a driver
license endorsement to operate a three-wheeled motorcycle. To get
the endorsement you will have to pass a knowledge and operator
skills test, or you will have to present a certificate showing that
you have completed the three-wheeled motorcycle operator-training
course.
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I am currently endorsed, how do I get the three-wheeled motorcycle
endorsement?
From January 2, 2004 through June 30, 2004, three-wheeled motorcycle
operators with a class 3 endorsement or an "R" restriction can have
a three-wheeled motorcycle endorsement added to their license
without skill testing. Here's how it works:
Go to any Washington driver licensing office with your current
driver license and motorcycle endorsement.
Request a three-wheeled motorcycle endorsement.
Let the Licensing Representative know if you already have a two-
wheeled motorcycle endorsement and specify if you do or do not want
to keep it. If you surrender the two-wheeled motorcycle endorsement
you will sign a form stating that you agree to take all the tests
and pay all the fees if you ever want to get the 2 wheel endorsement
back.
A new license will be issued with an endorsement code that indicates
you are legal to operate a two or three-wheeled motorcycle or both.
The new endorsement codes are as follows:
Type 3 - two-wheeled motorcycles only
Type 5 - three-wheeled motorcycle only
Type 7 - two and three-wheeled motorcycles
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I am not an experienced operator, how do I get the three-wheeled
motorcycle endorsement added to my license?
Inexperienced riders can get the three-wheeled motorcycle
endorsement in one of two ways:
Apply at a driver licensing office and pass the operator's knowledge
and skills test. The endorsement will be issued after you pass both
tests. or;
Take the three-wheeled motorcycle rider training class and present
the class completion card at any driver licensing office in the
state to get your new license and three-wheeled motorcycle
endorsement.
In both cases a $5 application fee, $10 endorsement fee and $10
license issuance fee will be required to get the endorsement added
to your license.
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When will the training program for three-wheeled motorcycles be
available?
The three-wheeled motorcycle rider classes will be available in the
Seattle and hopefully Spokane area beginning in January 2004. You
will need to contact the provider to get scheduled for a class.
Class location and contact information will be available at
www.dol.wa.gov/ds/wmspsite.htm or, beginning in January you can call
(800) 962-9010, extension 9, for class information. Three-wheeled
motorcycle t
So how is this working? Is it being enforced? Are there classes readily available throughout the state? Is the reservoir of sidecarist needing instruction too small to support adequate training programs?
Classes are available in the Seattle and Spokane area. I know of waits of up to a month for an available class. Probably due to class size or instructor availability. The providers of the classes are (like so much of Washington's licensing processes) private contractors. So I would imagine they wish to have a full boat for the classes.
Since this is the first year of the 3 wheel endorsements, a lot of people are probably unaware of the statute changes.
I know of no one who has been ticketed for lack of a three wheel endorsement, but I also know of no one who has been ticketed for not having a two wheeled motorcycle endorsement either.
The main thing here is that one no longer has to furnish his/her own sidehack rig for training and the State fund will pay the first $100.00 of the training cost. Any remaining amount will be paid by the student. That's a pretty good incentive to take the course and learn safe sidecar piloting. Another benefit is if one decides later that they don't care to 3 wheel it, they are not out thousands of dollars that they have invested in a sidecar outfit.
Not everyone has the ability to handle a two wheeler or a three wheeler. If they cannot pass the course they won't get the endorsement and won't be able to drive an outfit legally in Washington State.
(They may still make a good monkey though).
Just a note about the sidecar/trike safety training course provided by Evergreen Safety Council. I attended a class in August of this year in the Seattle area. The instructors , were knowledgable and displayed their ablities in handling both the sidecar rigs and the trikes.They spent additional time with everyone who needed it. The rigs ( sidecars and trikes ) were suitable for the training environment. The practicle training was informative and fun. A very safe and controled driving area.
For a new hack rider such as myself this couse is a must.
Just thought I would put in my two cents .
BSRIDER
I just took (and passed) my written DOL test last week. I now have a 90 day permit. Evergreen does not have any space available in a subsidized class within the next 90 days. They have room in one class for full price ($275) at the end of June.
My plan is to practice on my own and take the riding test at the DOL course and spend my money later for the "advanced" sidecar course from Evergreen.
I admit I am disappointed at the lack of space in subsidized Evergreen courses.
Do you feel a little 'trapped' ?
You can contact your Congressman and the DMV to encourage them to provide more access to these classes. I get the impression from the folks at Washington Department of licensing that they feel there is not much demand for S/TEP training and no need to expand the program beyond the classes they offer in Seattle and Moses Lake.
I know Evergreen is closer to you , but an alternative when you are ready, would be take a drive down to Oregon for a vacation and some instruction
I am offering the Advanced Step class in Hood River June 2&3, 2007.
August 25&26, 2007
October 13&14, 2007
I also offer the Novice S/TEP class May thru October, but, unfortunately, Washington does not grant a license waiver if you take the classes out of state.
You can find out more about the classes I offer at my website:
http://adventuresidecar.com/training06/training06.htm
Vernon wrote:
>> Washington does not grant a license waiver if you take the classes out of state.<<
Too bad..sounds like a 'catch 22' for the Washington folks.(I would say 'fiasco' again but won't...lol)
I agree ,yes, take the course even if S/TEP 'certified' instrutors who are in another state who provide the same class are not recognized in Washington.
Trapped... heck yes!
[rant]
One more endorsement I have to pay extra for when I renew my license.
People should be free to take the risks they deem appropriate
for themselves. A warning label would do more to promote safety
than forcing people to take these tests and pay extra.
Spending two days driving around in a parking lot is something I can
do myself. I already have enough sense to take it easy and ride very
conservatively for the first few weeks. I encountered side hacks when
I was a kid riding BMX.
But ultimately... I'm an adult and am capable of assessing risk and
deciding for myself whether I want to take a special course for my
own safety, or read available info and practice on may own and save
$100 and two days which I really can't spare right now.
And I object to yet another covert form of taxation in the form of
additional fees when I renew my driver's license.
This whole fiasco could be the deciding factor on whether I will
buy the Ural I would like to have, or just keep riding my two
wheeler. Who can I sue when I fall because of riding over an ice
patch on two wheels because I didn't want to go through the
extra hassle to get the 3-wheel endorsement?
What's next, seperating sportbikes, cruisers, choppers, dual purpose,
trikes and side cars each into their own endorsements?
I would complain to my legislature that they are all registered under
the same classification, but I know exactly where that would lead!
[/rant]
AMEN
