Washington
What Washington asks of a teen driver before the first license, from the practice hours to the road test.
50hours
of supervised practice, including 10 at night
- Permit
- Instruction Permit
- License
- Intermediate Driver License
- Practice can start at
- 15 years old
Before the road test
- Six months on the permitThe instruction permit is held six months before the intermediate licence.
- Minimum age16 years old
- Six months without a ticketNo traffic violation or conviction in the six months before you apply, no pending citation when you apply, and no alcohol or drug offence on the permit.
- Classes and instructor time30 classroom hours and 6 hours with an instructor. These are separate from the 50.
- Online work zone safety coursePass the free online course before applying for the licence.
Where this comes from
- Driver license application, ages 16–17
- RCW 46.20.075 — intermediate licence
- RCW 46.20.055 — instruction permits
- RCW 46.37.020 — when lighted lamps are required
- RCW 46.20.1191 — work zone and first responder safety course
Moonroof checked these sources on October 9, 2026. Rules change, so check with the Washington State Department of Licensing before booking the road test.