new washington drivers license - WA

 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:
  • Intermediate License logbook to record behind-the-wheel driving practice.
  • Washington Parent Guide to Teen Driving for tips on how to supervise driving practice.
  • Safe-Driving Agreement between parents and teens to establish safe-driving rules.
  • Resources available at Teen driver safety.
• 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.
   • You’ll save time at the office if you pre-apply online before you go.
   • When you get to the office, 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.

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:

• Driving under the influence (RCW 46.61.502)
• Physical control of vehicle under the influence (RCW 46.61.504)
• Driver under 21 consuming alcohol (RCW 46.61.503)
• Alcohol or drug violations (RCW 46.20.265)

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.

Does my out of state license automatically transfer to Washington State?

No. You must apply in Washington and present proof you have completed an approved Traffic Safety Education (TSE) course:

• The course must provide all the required training. See Driver training programs for curriculum requirements.
• We can’t accept the course if:
  • You completed the course in another country.
  • You completed half the training in another state and want to take the remaining training in Washington.
  • You took a parent-taught or online traffic safety education course.

 

 18 and over 

How to get a new Washington State driver license

If you’re a Washington resident who is 18 or older, and have never had a driver license before, visit a driver licensing office and:

1. Apply for a driver license.
   • You’ll save time at the office if you pre-apply online before you go.
   • When you get to the office, you must:
     • Provide Proof of identity.
     • Pay the $45 license fee ($20 for your application and $25 for your license). 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.
     • Provide your Social Security number, which is mandatory to help enforce child support laws.
       • You don’t need to show us your Social Security card.
       • We’ll verify your Social Security number, but it won’t appear on your license.
       • If you don’t have a Social Security number, you must verify your Washington residence address before you can finish applying for your license, photo instruction permit, or ID card.
2. Pass a knowledge test. (The knowledge test must be completed before you can schedule a driving test.)
3. Pass a vision screening and demonstration of color recognition.
4. Pass a driving test. (If you plan to practice for your driving test, you will need to get an instruction permit.)
5. Have your photograph taken.

If you have a valid license from another state

See Moving? Get WA license to learn how to get a driver license after moving to Washington from another state.

When you’ll get your license

Before you leave the licensing office, you’ll get a temporary license that will allow you to drive for 45 days. Your permanent Washington driver license will be processed and mailed to you within 7–10 days. If for some reason you haven’t received your new license within 30 days, please return to any driver licensing office.

How to get an enhanced driver license (EDL)

See Steps to getting your EDL/EID to learn how to get a Washington State enhanced driver license, which is an acceptable alternative to a passport for re-entry into the U.S. at land and sea border crossings.