WA New Drivers Under 18

As a teen driver in Washington, you are a more at-risk driver for the state, therefore, must complete a different process to getting your state driver’s license than if you were over the age of 18. The state of Washington does not issue a standard driver’s license to drivers under 18, instead issuing a Washington intermediate driver’s license for those under the age of 18, which you will also receive through the Department of Licensing in Washington.

Apply for Washington Intermediate License

An intermediate license is only issued once you have completed the entire process, which will call for a bit of paperwork and some qualifications as well.

  • Must be 15 or older
  • Must obtain parent/guardian consent
  • Must complete Washington traffic safety course if under 15 ½ years old
  • Must hold learner’s permit for no less than 6 months
  • Must complete written exam if not in driver’s ed
  • Must provide adequate proof of identification
While your driver’s license offers the freedom you have always dreamed about, it is pertinent that you are properly trained before you can get your license. The DOL requires that you are enrolled within a traffic safety class in the state if you want your instructional permit at the age of 15. However, if you rather not take it at all, you will have to wait until you have reached 15 ½ before your intermediate license will be issued, provided that you pass the written exam first.

When you receive your instructional permit, you have to maintain it for a period of 6 months in order to graduate to your intermediate driver’s license. When you apply for your Washington learner’s permit, you must garnish proof of your identity as well. If you are under 18, you must have your parents or guardians sign the proper consent form, which you can download and print from the internet atParental Authorization Affidavit

which you should submit with your permit application.

Washington Intermediate License Explained

It may be a mystery to you why you are getting an intermediate license instead of a standard driver’s license when you have so clearly demonstrated that you are prepared to drive through completion of the appropriate exams. However, this type of license is intended not to hurt you but to help you, as the first couple of years behind the wheel are the riskiest and can present the most danger to you and other drivers. It just takes time to learn the ropes of driving the roadways, and this license helps you to do so properly.

It is a proven fact that younger drivers are the most at risk drivers, therefore present a greater risk to all those that are on the roadways. For this reason, several states, including Washington, require that an intermediate license is held until the age of 18.

The main difference between an intermediate and standard driver’s license is the restriction over your driving. With an intermediate license, you are given more freedom than with a permit, but you are still given more limitations than standard licensed drivers over 18. The rules of this intermediate license include:

  • No passengers under 20 years of age in vehicle during operation for first 6 months of holding intermediate license.
  • Only 3 or fewer passengers under 20 years of age in the vehicle during operation until you reach 18.
  • No night time driving between 1a.m. and 5a.m. without a Washington licensed driver aged 25 or older in the vehicle with you.
Proving you are ready for your standard driver’s license requires that you hold the intermediate license for at least a year without any type of traffic incidents on your record – at which point you are issued a license with full privileges.

Washington Enhanced Intermediate License

Once you reach 16, until you reach 18, you will be able to apply for an Enhanced Intermediate License in Washington, which is much like a combination between the EDL and the intermediate license.

You are given benefits such as land or sea re-entry to the U.S., which isn’t offered with a standard license, and still requires the limitations you are bound by with the regular intermediate license.

If you want to apply for the Enhanced Intermediate Driver’s License, you will be required to meet the criteria for the regular intermediate license, and also follow the appropriate EDL steps for application.

  1. Make your appointment with the EDL/ID office in your county by calling 1-866-520-4365, or visiting the website at DMV office finder in WA
  2. Bring proper proof of Washington residence, identification, and citizenship. Bring Social Security card or appropriate SSA statement, as well as fee for Driver Licensing Fees.
  3. Complete application in-office, only available in-office.
  4. Complete and pass vision, knowledge, and driving exams.
  5. Complete interview with licensing services agent.
  6. Sign Radio Frequency Identification and biometric identification declaration.
  7. Take photo for license.
Poor Driving Skills in Teens

Once you have worked your way to your full privileges from the intermediate license through no violations and good driving, if you demonstrate poor driving skills afterwards, you suffer the same penalties as if you had an intermediate license.

Only one violation warrants a DOL warning letter, with 2 violations causing a six month suspension, or suspension until you reach 18 – whichever occurs first. You will be notified of the suspension by mail. If you do happen to reach a third violation, your license is automatically suspended until the age of 18, and your parents will receive a notice of your suspension order as well.

If you need to learn more about the appropriate skills and adequate knowledge for driving in Washington, you can visit 4DMV.com’s various Washington driving pages online.