Rules and Resources

License requirements

To get your driver's license, you must:

Be at least 16 years old.
Be a Washington resident (your license will show this address).
Successfully completed an approved driver training course.
- Washington State does not approve online or parent-taught traffic safety education courses. If your teen completes a course in another state, it must meet Washington State minimum requirements.
Have your Washington State instruction permit for at least six months.
Not have been convicted of any traffic violations within six months of applying for the license.
Not have been convicted of any alcohol or drug offense while holding an instruction permit.

Get an instruction permit.
Complete at least 50 hours of driving practice (including 10 hours at night) with someone who's been licensed for five years or more.
Pass the driving test at our school.
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Show you've passed a traffic safety course. If your driver training school didn't submit an electronic course completion for you, bring the signed certificate they gave you. If you don't have your certificate and the school has closed, email us at tse@dol.wa.gov or call 360.664.6692.
Bring a parent with you to the licensing office to sign the parental authorization form. If you can't bring a parent, have them fill out the Parental Authorization Affidavit form and notarize it. You must bring the notarized form with you to the office.
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, if necessary.
Pay the fees.

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

Driving with Passengers
- First six months: No passengers under 20 years old, except for immediate family members (spouse, child, stepchild, or siblings, both by birth and marriage).
- Next six months: No more than three 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 can't 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.