Teen girl with car keys

Teens

License requirements

Before you can get a driver license, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Pass a traffic safety education course.
  • Have an instruction permit for at least 6 months.
  • Get at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night) with someone who has been licensed for 5 years or more. For help in supervising driving practice, use the:
  • Not have any traffic violations within 6 months of applying for the license.
  • Not have been convicted of any alcohol or drug offense while holding an instruction permit.

When you can take your driver license tests

You may start the testing process after completing traffic safety education and meeting these requirements:

  • If you’re less than 16 years old, you must have had your instruction permit for at least 4 months and be within 60 days of your 16th birthday.
  • If you’re between 16 and 18 years old, you must have had your instruction permit for at least 4 months from the date of issue.

How to get your license

Once you’ve met all the requirements, visit a driver licensing office and:

  1. Apply for a driver license. When you apply, you must:
    • Present the signed certificate showing you’ve passed an approved traffic safety education course. If you don’t have your certificate, ask your driver training school for a copy before you apply for your license. If the school has closed, contact us at tse@dol.wa.gov or 360-902-0110.
    • Have a parent or guardian sign a Parental Authorization Affidavit at the licensing office to confirm your driving practice and grant you permission to get a license.
    • Pay the application fee. You may pay with:
      • Cash
      • Check
      • MasterCard and American Express credit or debit cards, and some Visa debit cards.
        • Credit and debit cards not accepted at Coulee Dam, Davenport, Friday Harbor, Forks, Goldendale, Newport, Republic, or South Bend.
        • A vendor-charged convenience fee is added to all transactions paid with a debit or credit card at driver licensing offices.
  2. Pass the knowledge test (if you haven’t already passed it).
  3. Pass the driving test. Driving tests are available by appointment only.
  4. Pass a vision screening.
  5. Present proof of identity.
  6. Provide your Social Security number, or sign a declaration if you don’t have one.
  7. Have your photograph taken.

Special rules for teen drivers

When you get a driver license, you must follow some special rules and restrictions. These rules are in place to help protect teen drivers from accidents and help them develop and improve skills in the safest way.

If you’re under 18, you’ll be issued an intermediate driver license and must follow these special rules:

  • Passengers:
    • For the first 6 months, you can’t drive with passengers under the age of 20 unless they’re members of your immediate family (such as a spouse, child, stepchild, or siblings, both by birth and marriage).
    • For the next 6 months, you can’t carry more than 3 passengers who are under 20 years old and aren’t members of your immediate family.
  • Nighttime driving:
    For the first 12 months, you can’t drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless you’re with a licensed driver age 25 or older. The only exception to this rule is driving for agricultural purposes (transporting farm products or supplies under the direction of a farmer as described in RCW 46.20.070).
  • Cell phones:
    You aren’t permitted to use wireless devices while driving, even with a hands-free device. This includes talking on cell phones and sending or receiving text messages. You may only use a wireless device to report an emergency.

How long these restrictions apply

After 1 year of following these rules and driving without a collision or traffic citation, you can drive without limitations to the time of day or passengers you can carry. When you turn 18, these special rules no longer apply and your intermediate driver license automatically becomes a regular license.

Penalties for driving violations and accidents

  • First violation: The passenger and nighttime restrictions will be extended until you’re 18 and we’ll send a warning letter to you and your parent or guardian if you do any of the following:
    • Get a ticket for violating the restrictions.
    • Get a ticket for violating a rule of the road.
    • Are involved in an accident where:
      • You get a ticket or are determined to have caused the accident.
      • No one involved in the accident receives a ticket.
      • The cause of the accident can’t be determined.
      • Only your car was involved in the accident.
  • Second violation: Your license will be suspended for 6 months (or until age 18, whichever comes first). We’ll notify you and your parent or guardian before we take any suspension action.
  • Third violation: Your license will be suspended until you’re 18. We’ll notify you and your parent or guardian before we take any suspension action.

Note: We don’t determine who caused an accident. We receive collision data from the Department of Transportation. To request a copy of your collision report, contact the Washington State Patrol records division at 360-570-2355.

Warning letters and penalties until age 18

Once you’ve driven safely for 1 year without a driving violation or accident, the passenger and nighttime driving restrictions expire and won’t be reinstated. However, if you’re under 18, you’re still subject to receiving the warning letter and license suspension penalties.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to get a new license when I turn 18?

No. When a driver reaches age 18, the intermediate driver license automatically becomes a regular driver license and the special rules no longer apply.

How do police enforce the rules and restrictions on teen drivers?

Police enforce the restrictions of an intermediate driver license as a “secondary action.” This means that if a teen driver is stopped for a traffic offense, the officer can cite the driver for any violations of intermediate license restrictions.

If I have a drug or alcohol-related offense or Minor in Possession (MIP), can I get my intermediate license?

You can’t get a driver license until you’re 18 years old if you’re convicted of any of the following offenses while you have an instruction permit:

If I have a license from another state, do the special rules of an intermediate license apply to me?

Yes. A teen with a valid out-of-state license must get an intermediate license and meet all the same requirements.

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