Steps to getting your first license: Instruction permits
Things to know
Your valid unexpired permit allows you to drive in Washington State.
- In most cases, you can’t use a wireless or mobile device while driving. The only exceptions are to:
- report illegal activity
- get emergency help
- prevent injury to a person or property
- You must have a licensed driver (with at least 5 years of licensed driving experience) with you, regardless of your age.
- The licensed driver must sit in the right-front passenger seat.
- In addition to the licensed driver, you can have other passengers of any age.
- Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt.
- Your permit is valid for 1 year. You can renew it by visiting an office and paying the renew instruction permit fee. You may renew up to 2 more times with permission from a driver licensing office supervisor. Contact an office for more information.
- Your Washington permit might not be valid for driving in another state. Contact the state where you'll be traveling to find out if they'll honor your Washington permit.
- You must have an instruction permit before you can practice driving.
If your instruction permit expired between March 1 and June 30, 2020 or expires between October 1 and December 31, we've extended your license
Age requirements
- 15-15½ years old
- First step is to sign up with a driver training school.
- Your driver training school will send us a waiver electronically so you can get your permit.
- Get your permit 1-10 days before you start your course. Holidays and weekends are included.
- For example, if your course starts on the 20th of the month, you need to get your permit between the 10th and 19th.
- 15½ or older
- If you're enrolled in a driver training course follow the steps above for 15-15½ years old.
- If you're not signed up for a driver training course yet:
- You'll need to pass the knowledge test before you can get your permit.
- If you don't take a driver training course, you can get a permit but you'll need to wait until you're 18 or older to get your driver license.
How to get an instruction permit
- If you don't already have a WA ID card, pre-apply online.This will create your Washington ID or driver license number. Some restrictions may apply.
- After you apply, sign up for a driver training course. Have your WA ID card number or confirmation ID number you received when you pre-applied. Once they have that info, they'll send us a waiver. Or if you're 15½ or older and not enrolled in a driver training course yet, take the knowledge test at a training and testing location.
- If you don't take driver training, you'll need to wait until you're 18 to get your license.
- Finish your application online or make an appointment to finish at an office.
- If you're taking a driver training course, be sure to do this 1-10 days before you start the course.
- You need to bring proof of identity.
- Under 18 years old
- Your parents must provide proof of their identity and relationship to you. Bring a parent with you to sign the parental authorization form.
- If you can't bring a parent, have them fill out the Parental Authorization Affidavit form, have it notarized, and bring it with you to the office.
- We need to have a social security number on file if you want to get your license issued online. Make sure we add your social security number to your record when we issue your permit.
- Your parents must provide proof of their identity and relationship to you. Bring a parent with you to sign the parental authorization form.
- 18 or over
- Sign up for a Traffic Safety Education course and they'll send us a waiver. Or if you choose not to take a Traffic Safety Education course, take the knowledge test at a training and testing location.
- Pre-apply online to receive your Washington ID or driver license number and schedule an appointment.
- If you have a social security number, make sure we add it to your record when we issue your permit. We need to have a social security number on file if you want to get your license issued online.
- Under 18 years old
- Pass a vision screening.
- If you brought acceptable identification documents, have your photo taken.
- Pay the instruction permit fee.
- If you completed everything online, you can print a temporary non-photo instruction permit. You must carry it with you. The permit will get issued the date of the completed transaction.
- Keep the temporary permit with you until the card arrives in the mail. It should get there within 7 – 10 days.
Related information
- Tips for visiting an office: Driver licensing offices
- Driver training course
- Check the status of a license or instruction permit
- Replace your license or instruction permit
- Agricultural permits (under 18 years old)
