Teen girl with car keys

Teens 15–17 years old

License requirements

To get your driver license, you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old.
  • Successfully complete a driver training course.
  • Have your instruction permit for at least 6 months.
  • Not have been convicted of 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.

How to get your license

  1. Pass a driver training course.
  2. Get an instruction permit.
  3. Complete at least 50 hours of driving practice (including 10 hours at night) with someone who’s been licensed for 5 years or more.
  4. Pass the driving test at any testing location.
    • If you take your test at a driver training school, check with them to find out how much they charge for testing. (This fee is charged by the school, and isn’t included in the application and licensing fees you pay us.)
  5. Visit a driver licensing office to get your license. You’ll need to:
    • Bring a signed certificate from your traffic safety school showing you’ve passed the course.
      • If the school has closed, email us at tse@dol.wa.gov or call 360-664-6692.
    • Bring the Parental Authorization Affidavit that your parents:
      • Will sign in person at the office.
      • or
      • Have signed and notarized, if they can’t go to the office with you.
    • Show proof of identity.
    • Provide your Social Security number, or sign a declaration if you don’t have one.
    • Pass a vision screening.
    • Have your photo taken.
    • Pay the $35 application fee and $45 licensing fee ($80 total). Payment options are:
      • 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.

Intermediate license laws for teen drivers

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

  • Driving with Passengers
    • First 6 months: No passengers under 20 years old, except for immediate family members (spouse, child, stepchild, or siblings, both by birth and marriage).
    • Next 6 months: No more than 3 passengers under 20 years old who 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 25 years or older. The only exceptions are driving for agricultural purposes and transporting farm products or supplies under the direction of a farmer as described in RCW 46.20.070.
  • No 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.

These restrictions won’t apply after you turn 18 years old.

Penalties for violations and accidents

  • First violation: Passenger and nighttime restrictions will apply until you’re 18. We’ll send a warning letter to you and your parent/guardian for 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: License suspended for 6 months (or until you’re 18, whichever comes first). We’ll notify you and your parent/guardian before we take any suspension action.
  • Third violation: License suspended until you’re 18. We’ll notify you and your parent/guardian before we take any suspension action.

Note: We don’t determine who caused an accident. If you’d like 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 the passenger and nighttime driving restrictions expire, but the other violations will apply until you’re 18.

Frequently asked questions

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

No, the intermediate driver license automatically becomes a regular driver license.

How do police enforce the intermediate license laws?

They enforce them 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?

No, you’ll have to wait until you’re 18 if you’re convicted of any of the following while you have an instruction permit:

If I have a license from another state, do the intermediate license laws apply to me?

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

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