Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.04
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.04.330 (2025)

Motorcycle

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"Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels, not including any stabilizing conversion kits, on which the driver:
(1) Rides on a seat or saddle and the motor vehicle is designed to be steered with a handlebar; or
(2) Rides on a seat in a partially or completely enclosed seating area that is equipped with safety belts and the motor vehicle is designed to be steered with a steering wheel.
"Motorcycle" excludes a farm tractor, a power wheelchair, an electric personal assistive mobility device, a motorized foot scooter, an electric-assisted bicycle, and a moped.
[ 2013 c 174 s 1; 2009 c 275 s 2; 2003 c 141 s 3; 2002 c 247 s 3; 1990 c 250 s 20; 1979 ex.s. c 213 s 2; 1961 c 12 s 46.04.330. Prior: 1959 c 49 s 34; prior: (i) 1943 c 153 s 1, part; 1937 c 188 s 1, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 s 6312-1, part; 1923 c 181 s 1, part; 1921 c 96 s 2, part; 1919 c 59 s 1, part; 1917 c 155 s 1, part; 1915 c 142 s 2, part; RRS s 6313, part. (ii) 1937 c 189 s 1, part; RRS s 6360-1, part; 1929 c 180 s 1, part; 1927 c 309 s 2, part; RRS s 6362-2, part.]

Notes:

Legislative review—2002 c 247: See note following RCW 46.04.1695.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases, 1984–2020 · leading case: State v. McGary, 683 P.2d 1125 (Wash. Ct. App. 1984).
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State v. McGary, 683 P.2d 1125 (Wash. Ct. App. 1984). “RCW 46.04.330. "Vehicle" is further defined in RCW 46.”
State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. v. Gates, 921 P.2d 1096 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “RCW 46.04.330 defines "motorcycle” as "a motor vehicle designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, on which the driver rides astride the motor unit or power train and is designed to be steered with a handle bar.”
Briggs v. Thielen, 745 P.2d 523 (Wash. Ct. App. 1987). “Therefore, a reference to motorcycles along with other motor vehicles would be superfluous unless the Legislature intended to create two exceptions.”
State of Washington v. Michael Patrick Cargill, No. 36140-3 (Wash. Ct. App. Dec. 15, 2020). “Cargill argues that because a dirt bike cannot legally be driven on the roadways of this state, it cannot constitute a “motor vehicle.” Supp. Br. of Appellant at 2-3.”
Metro. Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Herrera, No. 2:19-cv-00250 (W.D. Wash. Nov. 14, 2019). “CODE § 46.04.330 (Motorcycle); WASH. REV. CODE § 46.”
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