Agricultural permits (under 18 years old)

Agricultural permits allow drivers under the age of 18 to drive within a specific, restricted area for farm work only.

Requirements

  • There is no minimum age requirement for a juvenile agricultural permit.
  • The work requirements for minors in agriculture are regulated by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). To learn about these requirements, see Teen Workers at the L&I website.

Note: Getting an agricultural permit doesn’t waive any of the requirements for getting your first Washington State driver license. If you’re under 18 years old, you still must meet all the driver training and instruction permit requirements to get your driver license.

How to get an agricultural permit

  1. Pre-apply online to save time in the office.
  2. Complete all the following forms:
  3. Provide a detailed map outlining the farm, roads, silos, and fields where you’ll be driving with the permit.
    • Refer to any online maps (Google, Bing, etc.) or the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife’s GoHunt for help creating your map and gauging distances.
    • For examples of how your finished map should look, see Sample maps.
  4. Submit your completed forms and map:
  5. Pass the knowledge test and driving test at a driver licensing office.
    • Call the office near you to schedule your tests.
    • You can’t take these tests at a driver training school. All agricultural permit tests must be conducted at a Department of Licensing office.
  6. Visit a driver licensing office and:
    • Answer a medical question.
    • Pass a vision screening that includes color recognition.
    • Pay the fees. You can pay with:
      • Cash
      • Check
      • MasterCard and American Express credit/debit cards and some Visa debit cards.
        • There’s a vendor-charged fee on all credit/debit card purchases.
        • Credit/debit cards not accepted at Coulee Dam, Davenport, Friday Harbor, Forks, Goldendale, Newport, Republic, and South Bend

Renewing your agricultural permit

Your permit is valid for 1 year or until your 18th birthday, whichever comes first. To renew your permit, visit a driver licensing office and pay the renewal fee. You don’t need to retake the knowledge test to renew your permit.

Changing the farming area on your permit

If you transfer to a new farming area, or start driving in a new area:

  1. Email us a new Agricultural Permit Questionnaire and map at exams@dol.wa.gov to notify us of the corrected farming area.
  2. When we approve the change, we’ll send you an email and tell you how to proceed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my driving test at my local commercial driver training school?

No, you’ll need to take the test at one of our driver licensing offices.

Can I use my agricultural permit to drive to school or run errands that aren’t related to farm work?

No, all your driving must be related to farm work.

Can I have passengers in the vehicle with me?

Yes, but only if you’re transporting the passengers in connection with farm work.

What happens if I get a ticket for violating the restrictions of my permit?

Your permit can be suspended, revoked, or canceled.

Do I still need to take a driver training course before I can get my driver license?

Yes. Because your agricultural permit only allows you to drive in a restricted area, it doesn’t meet the minimum requirements for completing a driver training program.

I have an agricultural permit. Do I need to get an instruction permit, too?

Yes. Before you can get your Washington State driver license, you must have an instruction permit for at least 6 months and meet all the driving practice requirements.

Does the time I drive with an agricultural permit count toward the time I'm required to have an instruction permit before I get my license?

No, you still need to have an instruction permit for 6 months and meet all the other requirements before you can get your driver license.

Will I need to take the knowledge and driving tests again when I get my driver license?

  • If you passed the tests recently, you won’t need to take the knowledge and driving tests again when you get a Washington driver license. We’ll use the test scores you received when you got your agricultural permit, as long as:
    • Your knowledge test score isn’t more than 2 years old.
    • Your driving test score isn’t more than 1 year old.
  • If your test scores are older than this, you’ll have to pass the tests again when you apply for your driver license.

See also:

Access Washington