How licensing works in Washington
Washington teens start with an instruction permit, then get an intermediate license with limits on night driving, passengers and phones.
| Stage | Minimum age | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction permit | 15 in driver training, otherwise 15½ | Drive with a qualified licensed supervisor. Hold at least six months |
| Intermediate license, first six months | 16 | No non-family passengers under 20. No driving 1–5 a.m. (with exceptions). No wireless devices |
| Intermediate license, after six months | 16½ | No more than three non-family passengers under 20. Night limit continues |
| Restrictions lifted | After 12 clean months | With a crash or violation history, not before 18 |
Getting the intermediate license
- Be at least 16 and hold your permit at least six months.
- Complete a state-approved driver education course and pass the licensing exam.
- Until 2031, meet the work zone and first responder safety course requirement.
- Have 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 at night, certified by a parent, guardian, employer or responsible adult.
- Have no traffic convictions in the last six months, no pending citation, and no alcohol or drug adjudication while on the permit.
The Washington knowledge test
Before you can drive on your own, you must pass the Department of Licensing's knowledge test on Washington traffic laws, safe driving and road signs. Study the Washington Driver Guide. It is available as a PDF in 17 languages, as a text-only version, and in print at licensing offices.
The DOL also offers a short online practice test. Use the DOL's training and testing locations finder to see where you can take the knowledge test, and check current requirements before you go.
Rules specific to Washington
Night driving
Intermediate drivers may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. The exceptions are driving with a licensed driver 25 or older, or trips for school, religious or employment activities of the driver or an immediate family member.
Passengers
For the first six months (or until 18, if sooner), you may not carry passengers under 20 unless they are immediate family. After that, you may carry no more than three non-family passengers under 20. Immediate family includes parents, grandparents, siblings (including half-siblings), children and certain other relatives.
Phones
All Washington drivers are banned from hand-held phone use and texting. Permit and intermediate drivers may not use a wireless device at all, except to report illegal activity, call for emergency help or prevent injury.
Enforcement and penalties
Breaking an intermediate license rule is a traffic infraction. Police enforce most of these rules only when they stop you for something else, but the phone rule can be enforced on its own.
Farm work
Intermediate drivers who drive for agricultural purposes may do so at any hour and with no passenger limits.
Ending the restrictions
After 12 months on the intermediate license with no at-fault or single-vehicle crashes, no traffic convictions and no restriction violations, you may drive at any hour with no passenger limits. Drivers with a crash or violation history must wait until 18.
Making the most of your practice
Your supervised hours are where you really learn to drive. Plan them instead of leaving them to chance, and ask your supervisor to give you calm, clear feedback after each trip.
- Start in an empty parking lot to learn steering, braking, turning and backing.
- Move on to quiet streets, then busier roads, multi-lane roads and highways.
- Practice at night and in rain, so your first night drive alone is not your first night drive ever.
- Work on the skills a road test checks: full stops, lane changes, turns, parking and backing.
- Say out loud what you see: signs, hazards, and what other road users might do next.
In Washington, you need at least 50 hours, including 10 at night. Write down each drive right after it ends, with the date, the time and the conditions, so your log is complete when you apply.
On test day
- Check the official website the day before for documents, hours and any appointment rules.
- Bring every document on the official list, in the form the office asks for.
- Get a good night's sleep and arrive early, so you are not rushed.
- Read each question twice. Watch for words like always, never, only and except.
- If you are not sure, rule out the answers you know are wrong, then choose the safest one.
Test tips
- Learn the key numbers: 15, 15½, 16, six months, 50 hours, 10 at night, 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., 20, three passengers, 25, 12 months.
- Know the exceptions to the night rule.
- Study road signs by shape and color.
- Read every option before you answer.
Next: the general rules of the road
This guide covers Washington's own rules. The knowledge test also covers right-of-way, turns, passing, parking, alcohol and road signs. Study those in our national US driving study guide, then take the full practice tests.