frequently asked questions

Check the schedule on this website for availabilities. Go to our registration page and purchase a class to secure your spot. Waiver forms and any other information you’ll need will be available at the start of class.

The state allocates us a certain amount of subsidy money to use for Safety classes. We try to offer some subsidized seats in each class. Any Washington resident with a valid WA state ID can purchase a subsidized seat if available. Military personnel stationed in WA and their dependents may also purchase a subsidized seat by applying for a Wa ID number.

Any person who has a valid WA state Drivers Lic, WA state ID, Student ID, or Active Duty Military ID or Military Dependent ID can qualify for a subsidized class. 

No you do not. However, if you are interested in operating a motorcycle on the public roadways, you will have to start with a motorcycle instruction permit. The permit is valid for 180 days. To qualify for the motorcycle permit, you must be at least 16 years of age, have a Washington State Drivers License and pass the permit level testing. While learning to ride you may not carry passengers, and you may not ride a motorcycle during the hours of darkness. If you are under 18 years old you will need your parents/guardian permission to get a permit.

For more information go to: www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motorcycles.html

The Basic Rider Course includes the permit level testing. After successfully completing a BRC class, your scores will be uploaded into the DOL system. Within 180 days take your drivers license to a licensing office or replace your license online to add a motorcycle permit to your driver license without any further testing at DOL. To obtain a motorcycle endorsement you’ll need to pass additional endorsement level testing. Endorsement testing is included in the BRC2 class. To take the tests without training, see our testing schedule for endorsement testing times. For further information, please visit: www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/motoendorsement.html

The following equipment is required for all courses:

• DOT approved helmet. Loaner helmets are available.
• Eye protection (face shield, sunglasses, etc.)
• Sturdy over-the-ankle footwear (think function not fashion)
  • (i.e. canvas high-tops, or slip-on-boots with elastic (only) ankle coverings are not acceptable.)
• Full fingered gloves or motorcycle riding gloves
• Long sleeve shirt or jacket
• Long sturdy pants

Each one of our partners carries a full line of protective gear and has knowledgeable staff that would be happy to assist you with your riding needs. Bellingham: Mt Baker Moto-sports, Wings, Cycle Gear, Pacific Northwest Motorcycles. Skagit: Skagit Powersports, Lifestyles Honda.

The Basic Rider Course (BRC) and the Basic Rider Course 2 (BRC2) do not require you to own your own motorcycle. We will provide training motorcycles for you.

If you have your own motorcycle, you MUST bring a TCLOCKS safety inspection, proof of insurance, and current registration.

The types of motorcycles will vary over time, but some of the bikes we currently use at Cascade Motorcycle Safety are:

• 200cc Yamaha TW200 (Dual Sport)
• 125cc Kawasaki Eliminator (Standard)
• 250cc Yamaha XT250 (Dual Sport)
• 250cc Suzuki TU250 (Standard)
• 250cc Kawasaki Ninja (Sport)
• Various loaner bikes from local motorcycle dealers

No. By successfully completing a Basic Rider Course (BRC) you will be able to obtain a WA motorcycle permit without any further testing at the DOL. After you have passed the permit level testing in a course you will need to take the endorsement level tests or a BRC2 class. Once you have passed both permit and endorsement level testing you will be able to add a WA Motorcycle endorsement to your license. Replace your license online or at a DOL office. You will still be required to pay the DOL fee to have the endorsement added to your license. To keep your endorsement at license renewal time, you will also need to renew your endorsement each time.

We offer Private lessons to introduce you to motorcycle controls and basic riding skills in a slow paced and relaxed 1 on one environment. We also offer the Basic Rider Course (BRC) that is designed for students with little, or no experience. This course introduces the risks of cycling, personal protective gear, basic riding skills and control, street strategies, and hazard avoidance.

To qualify for a motorcycle endorsement you must pass all of the required testing. 

Classes are not required unless a rider is under 18 years of age, or mandated by the state of Washington. If you do not wish to take training before challenging the tests, view our test schedule here.

The Basic Rider Course is designed for new riders, and riders returning to the sport.  The permit level testing is included in the course. See our BRC page for more information.

The Basic Rider Course 2 is designed for riders with a permit, or have the riding experience and knowledge of a rider with a permit. You do not have to have a permit to take this course. The BRC2 includes the endorsement knowledge and endorsement skills test.  The BRC2 does not include the two permit tests.  The permit tests can be taken before or after the BRC2 during one of our regular testing sessions. All 4 passing test scores are required for a motorcycle endorsement. See our BRC2 page for more information.

Private lessons are also an option for experienced riders looking to gain a little bit of practice and coaching before taking the permit or endorsement tests. Visit our lesson page here.

You betcha! Our classes will run rain or shine. Students are responsible to dress accordingly bringing clothing/gear appropriate for the weather. (i.e. rain gear and/or extra layers for cold weather)

We offer several options for experienced riders to expand your skills and elevated your enjoyment. Cascade Street Strategies is a great class for riders that want to work on skills at highway speeds. Cascade Gymkhana is a great way to spend time boosting your skills and riding with your friends with a small time commitment. Basic Bike Bonding is a class that helps you start to really automating your riding skills so you can focus more on the joy of riding. Ultimate Bike Bonding is all about learning the skills to make your motorcycle do what you want in challenging situations. If you have your own motorcycle, you MUST bring a TCLOCKS safety inspection and proof of insurance. 

CMS now offers training and testing for 3 wheel motorcycles (sidecars, trikes, Spyders). See our schedule for 3 Wheel Classes.

Class Cancellation, Reschedule, and Refund Policies

Cascade Motorcycle Safety reserves the right to combine classes to meet our minimum number of
students per class. Cascade Motorcycle Safety reserves the right to cancel or postpone a class
without advance notice due to circumstances beyond our control.
Reschedule requests must be made NO LESS than 7 days prior to the original class start date/hour.
If you wish to reschedule your class, please contact us via email (info@cascademotosafety.com).
Failure to contact us more than 7 days in advance of your scheduled class will forfeit your tuition,
and no refund will be issued.
Tuition refunds are subject to a $29 handling fee. Refunds can only be issued for the originally
purchased class date.
In the case of a class cancellation, you will be rescheduled into the next available class, or you can
apply any payments to another product or service we offer. No refunds will be made for cancelled
classes. In the case of a postponed class after it has begun, the remaining class segments will be
rescheduled to a later date.
Extraordinary circumstances or government order may result in immediate changes to our policies.
In such cases we will make individual determinations at our discretion.
While our staff will do as much as possible to help you learn to ride safely, we cannot guarantee that
you will complete a course or pass any tests. Motorcycling is an outdoor activity and you are
responsible to ensure that you have appropriate riding gear to ensure your comfort and safety.
No refunds or rescheduling will be given to students who are unable to complete class due to not
being prepared for the weather.
Cascade Motorcycle Safety policies are subject to change without advance notice.  Changes are in
effect as soon as they are posted on our website.

Class Dismissal Warnings

While our staff will do as much as possible to help you learn to ride safely, we cannot guarantee that you will complete a course or pass any tests. To help ensure a successful and enjoyable learning experience, some riders may consider taking a private lesson before a Basic Rider Course or BRC2.

We do not offer a refund, or the option to reschedule if a student is dismissed for any of the following reasons.

Students may be dismissed from the course if they:

Testing and Private Lesson Cancellation, Reschedule, and Refund Policies
Motorcycle Tests and Private Lessons are non-refundable. Reschedule requests must be made NO
LESS than 48 hours prior to your Motorcycle Test or Private Lesson.  If you need to reschedule a
Motorcycle Test or Private Lesson please contact us via email (info@cascademotosafety.com)
Failure to contact us 48 hours before your Motorcycle Test or Private Lesson will forfeit any funds
paid.
Cascade Motorcycle Safety reserves the right to cancel or postpone a Motorcycle Test or Private
Lesson due to circumstances beyond our control. In the case of a Motorcycle Test or Private Lesson
cancellation, you will be rescheduled into the next available Motorcycle Test or Private Lesson.
Extraordinary circumstances or government order may result in immediate changes to our policies.
In such cases we will make individual determinations at our discretion.
While our staff will do as much as possible to help you learn to ride safely, we cannot guarantee that
you will complete a Private Lesson or pass any Motorcycle Tests. Motorcycling is an outdoor activity
and you are responsible to ensure that you have appropriate riding gear to ensure your comfort and
safety. No refunds or rescheduling will be given to students who are unable to complete a Private
Lesson or Motorcycle Test due to not being prepared for the weather.

Cascade Motorcycle Safety policies are subject to change without advance notice.  Changes are in
effect as soon as they are posted on our website.

Once on your license, your motorcycle permit is valid for 180 days.  You are responsible for keeping track of when it will expire. Before your permit expires, choose the option to replace your license on the DOL website. If you believe your permit is still valid, but the option to renew is not available on the page shown below, contact the motorcycle desk at DOL at motorcycle@dol.wa.gov