Washington state endorsement help

[IWN2RYD]

Just got back from doing the Evergreen Safety course for trikes/sidecars. I would highly recommend. I did just the advanced trike portion..less $ and shorter time. But the knowledge was invaluable. To take the advanced portion (trust me I laughed on this one-as I am totally so far from advanced rider)..the gal asked me how many miles I had ridden my trike..answer 200 mi. Signed up. I would recommend this investment of your time & $$ as well worth it. There was 2 other Spyder (on 1 Spyder) ryders in the class. So off to DOL and become officially endorsed to ryde. The trip to and from Yakima was very nice also...:2thumbs:

Congrats!!!

BTW... If you plan to go to the DOL tomorrow, get there at least 30 minutes before they open. For some reason Mondays always bring out the... Well tougher crowd and the lines are fairly long :thumbup:. Nice to be one of the first 10 in the door. Better chance to get in and out, not having to fill a seat for very long... :spyder2:

 

[SpokaneSpyderRyder]

Steve,

You could not be MORE correct in assuming that government regulations are far behind technology. I think it's plainly absurd that the state of WA requires a "trike" endorsement for the Spyder. I read the D.O.L. trike/sidecar endorsement handbook and it was completely useless in operating a vehicle like the Spyder, especially having to learn about SIDECAR operation. However, to get to the root of your question, taking the actual D.O.L. driving test is a piece of cake on the Spyder. I (like you) was worried that taking a typical trike test on a Spyder and even asked (the testor) if he had tested any Spyders on the course before. He said he had tested many Spyders and that it would be fairly easy, and it was. Good luck.

Hello to all,

I just bought a new Spyder RS and we will be picking it up Saturday in california.
I live in Vancouver wahington and have some questions for Washington Spyder owners that have went through the endorsement process. I have been riding for 33 years and have no problems riding bikes or the Spyder. I am CDL class A endorsed and hazmat too! so the Spyder is No sweat at all.

My question is about the skills test. Is it condusive to the spyder? Are there any pointers in regards to the Washington course layout? I just want to know what to look for as government is usually three steps behind on any new technology or vehicles. Do they understand the Spyder is wide and steers diferently than traditional Trikes and side car rigs? Any how you get the idea what I am asking.



Thanks from
Steve NW Spyderyder

 

[Questions]

Follow up

Hello all,

I am pleased to report you were all correct! The endorsement skills test was a piece of cake for my wife! We were very impressed with the DOL staff as well!
The staff was polite fun and seemed to be enjoying life!
This was a foreign experience for me...I stand corrected on the Washington DMV I had a pleasant experience all around.

Thanks again every one

See you on the forum later on.:yes:

 

[Robertsepolen]

Kennewick office - polite and piece of cake

Took my test on the 10 th and passed in less than ten minutes. Very pleasant experience. "piece of cake."

 

[VonWolfgang]

HI,

Just prior to purchasing my 2012 Spyder RT LTD in April, I attended a basic sidecar/trike course offered by Pacific NorthWest Motorcycle Safety. The class provides both in-classroom training and field training. I believe PNWMS has locations throughout Washington and Oregon. Here is their web site if you are interested in checking them out: http://pnwmotorcyclesafety.com/classes-offered/basic-sidecartrike-course-step/

The great thing about this class is you can bring your own gear and ride or they provide an assortment of trikes, including spyders, motorcycles with sidecar and helmets if needed. The class includes the WA DOL written and riding tests. Once you have successfully completed the class and passed the tests you only need to go to your local Dept of Licensing and pay for the actual 3 wheel enforcement.

I found the class to be very informative, downright fun, plus I met a lot of potential new riding buddies!

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

So, am I correct in reading this ? I need some kind of trike license in Wa. Have a CDL class 1/6 ( Canada ), highest permit available and motorcycle endorsement, recognized everywhere else, but not Washington ? This may drastically, modify my Oregon trip in six weeks. Please advise and keep us posted. Thanks.

 

[Neez]

So, am I correct in reading this ? I need some kind of trike license in Wa. Have a CDL class 1/6 ( Canada ), highest permit available and motorcycle endorsement, recognized everywhere else, but not Washington ? This may drastically, modify my Oregon trip in six weeks. Please advise and keep us posted. Thanks.

I am licensed in BC and I ryde in WA a lot.Never been hasselled. Lots of Canadians ride Spyders and trikes there. I believe the local police don't require out- of- state three wheelers to comply, but it might be worth a phone call to check if you are concerned.

 

[murphybrown]

NO NO NO

So, am I correct in reading this ? I need some kind of trike license in Wa. Have a CDL class 1/6 ( Canada ), highest permit available and motorcycle endorsement, recognized everywhere else, but not Washington ? This may drastically, modify my Oregon trip in six weeks. Please advise and keep us posted. Thanks.

NO NO NO don't need to ryde or visit us here in WA...just if you plunk your butt permanently!!! Coming my way? The Spyderhood door is open .. guaranteed clean sheets, great coffee and lots of talking (if you want..otherwise silence works to!!!)

 

[SPYDERGUY1]

YES YES YES

Thanks for setting the record straight. Yes am heading your way, sounds like a plan. Shoot me a pm with info.

 

[Questions]

washington endorsement

OK, I bought my new spyder ST-S and now find out I need an endorsement. After reading all this, I am totally confused. Went to a few sites, I live in the Vancouver area, it seems there is nothing locally for the classes. Also it appears the classes are a two or three day course. So a few hundred miles to the class then an over night stay at a motel, where does this madness end? This may have changed my purchase discussion.

 

[rpatsh]

OK, I bought my new spyder ST-S and now find out I need an endorsement. After reading all this, I am totally confused. Went to a few sites, I live in the Vancouver area, it seems there is nothing locally for the classes. Also it appears the classes are a two or three day course. So a few hundred miles to the class then an over night stay at a motel, where does this madness end? This may have changed my purchase discussion.

If you have done any riding at all the test is a peice of cake. Spend some teme riding to get used to the Spyder and then go test.

 

[boborgera]

If you have done any riding at all the test is a peice of cake. Spend some teme riding to get used to the Spyder and then go test.

I think hes complaining about the time and money involved in getting a licence, I'm just wondering why when he bought the Spyder he wasn't told he would need a licence?, Or more important why did he think he wouldn't need one......??

 

[Questions]

I think hes complaining about the time and money involved in getting a licence, I'm just wondering why when he bought the Spyder he wasn't told he would need a licence?, Or more important why did he think he wouldn't need one......??

Yes I wasn't told, but I bought my Spyder in Oregon. I don't mind getting the endorsement, I'm just confused about the classes. I checked a couple sites for classes mentioned on this thread and there was not any openings until November. So I guess I can't ride until next year? You would think this would be easy to get done in no time at all. It took me one day at my convience to get my motorcycle endorsement. Just sayin'
I have a license, just no 3 wheel endorsement.

 

[Questions]

If you have done any riding at all the test is a peice of cake. Spend some teme riding to get used to the Spyder and then go test.

That's the problem. You say "go test". but where? 3 wheel testing isn't done here locally.

 

[Questions]

SW Washington Endorsement Facts

Ok, here is the down low for a new Spyder ryder in the Vancouver, WA. area. The DOL does not do any testing as of August last year. Your choices are a class or local testing. The class is a two or three day class in South Seattle or Auburn, Silverdale area. Local testing can be done locally, that is Clark County Fair area in conjunction with Richfield. You can call SW Motorcycle Safety at 360-571-4061 and talk with Dave. No classes. Get your book on line at www.dol.wa.gov and download it or read it there. By law, you can't ride to the testing place without a permit. You can get a permit to ride at the Fairgrounds facility. If you ride there for testing without one, you are at your own risk. They are not a law enforcement facility and you won't get into trouble with them. The Knowledge test is $35 and the Skills test is $50.
Hope this helps others

 

[HuckFin]

What my wife and I did was get a appointment for the written test in Auburn. We took the written test, same day took the results to the DOL in Puyallup. Got new license/permit with 3 wheel endorsement, which is good for 90 days before we have to take the drive test.

 

[Questions]

What my wife and I did was get a appointment for the written test in Auburn. We took the written test, same day took the results to the DOL in Puyallup. Got new license/permit with 3 wheel endorsement, which is good for 90 days before we have to take the drive test.

But remember, the "permit" is only good during daylight hours and NO passenger.

 

[sequimspyder]

Wa test

But remember, the "permit" is only good during daylight hours and NO passenger.

Was able to take the written and drive test at the Silverdale location. Even drove the bike to the test. Cost was about half of the two day class. Took about two hrs. Be sure to get the class 7 endorsement. It is good for 2 and 3 wheel bikes.

 

[flaggerphil]

Wow...as an ex-native-Seattlite, I'm glad I live in Florida! Here a two wheel endorsement is good for a trike, too. You can also take a three wheel class and get a trike (and sidecar) endorsement that does not allow you to ride two wheels...which is what my wife did.

Much easier.

 

[joet82]

That's some BS that they make you take the school as the only way to get your license now. When I got my endorsement in July 2010, I went home on leave and took the 1st written test in vancouver, failed (didn't read the book at all). Took the book home and studied what I remembered was on the test and passed the next day in Centralia. Signed up for the skills test, and even thought they only tested 3wheelers one weekend a month, they made an exception for me since I was heading back to cali that next week and had me take the test first before the 2 wheelers. Passed with a 97/100....only got marked cause I went too fast (+15 mph) for the quick stop to be measured and had to redo it. Went it and got my license preped and I had it 2 weeks later.

I bought my Spyder in cali and you only need an operators license to driver Spyders there, so I was able to practice for 2 weeks before heading home.

I guess the plus side for taking the class is that you can add it to your insurance. Haha