Washington State Teen Driver Laws

As of July 1, 2001, Washington joined 33 other states in restricting teenage driving. Starting then, new drivers younger than 18 received an intermediate license.

To receive this restricted license the driver must:

  • Have a learner’s permit for six months.
  • Complete Traffic Safety Education from a certified school.
  • Certify to the Department of Licensing that he or she has 50 hours of supervised driving experience, 10 of those at night.
  • For the first six months after obtaining an Intermediate License, teens may have no passengers under age 20 except immediate family. After the first six months, no more than three unrelated teenage passengers may be in the car.

Intermediate licenses are not valid between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless a parent rides along or gives written permission.

Before receiving an unrestricted license, teens must complete one year without a collision or traffic ticket. A first ticket will bring a warning; the second, suspension of the intermediate license for six months; third, license suspension until age 18.

Please review the Washington Driver Guide for complete details.

We have attached a copy of the Driving Log we suggest for recording all practice driving done outside of class.