Everything you need to know about your teens first license in Washington, including the all-important parent guide:
www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/teens.html
Driver Education/Training Information:
www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/drivertraining.html
Establishing a contract clearly defining driving expectations for your household has been shown to work:
http://www.aaaexchange.com/assets/files/2007214956500.parent_teencontract.pdf
INTERMEDIATE DRIVER LICENSE GUIDELINES
RCW 46.20.075 • Effective July 1, 2001
Note: DOL Driver History check will show current restrictions.
EXCEPTIONS:
- There are no restrictions on hours of driving or passengers if IDL holder is driving for agricultural purposes.
- There are no restrictions on hours of driving or passengers if after twelve months IDL holder is not involved in a collision, or has not been convicted of, or found to have committed a traffic offense.
Penalties
Conviction of First Traffic Offense or IDL Violation:
• Court fine and Warning Letter sent to parent or guardian
Conviction of Second Traffic Offense or IDL Violation:
• Court fine and suspension for six months or until age 18
• Notice of Suspension sent to parent or guardian
Conviction of Third Traffic Offense or IDL Violation:
• Court fine and suspension until age 18
• Notice of Suspension sent to parent or guardian
Special rules for teen drivers in Washington
(Intermediate Driver License)
When teens get a driver license, they 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 are under 18, you will be issued an intermediate driver license and must follow these special rules:
Passengers:
- For the first 6 months, you cannot drive with passengers under the age of 20 unless they are members of your immediate family (such as a spouse, child, stepchild, or siblings, both by birth and marriage).
- For the next 6 months, you cannot carry more than 3 passengers who are under 20 years old who are not members of your immediate family.
Nighttime driving:
For the first 12 months, you cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless you are with a licensed driver age 25 or older. The only exception to this rule is if you drive for agricultural purposes, meaning you transport farm products or supplies under the direction of a farmer (See RCW 46.20.070). (click for more info)
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.
Do parents support intermediate licensing?
Yes, parents strongly favor it. Parents of teenagers surveyed in 1996 in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, and New York said they strongly support intermediate licensing. An Insurance Institute for Highway Safety survey of parents of young drivers in California who had gone through the intermediate licensing process found 95 percent of the parents supported a 6-month period of supervised driving. Ninety-four percent favored night driving restrictions, 84 percent favored restricting teenage passengers during the first 6 months, and 79 percent of the parents said they favor a licensing system that includes all of these components. The survey was conducted in 2000.Parents of teenagers and other adults were interviewed in Connecticut in 2008 when new intermediate licensing laws were being considered. The majority supported an increase in required practice driving hours, a longer permit period, a longer-term passenger restriction, and a nighttime driving restriction starting earlier than midnight.
(Same citation as above)