Washington · Handbook chapter 1 · 7 min read

How Washington's instruction permit, intermediate license and first adult license work: ages, the WDL number, driver training, practice hours, the two exams, the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. rule, passenger limits and the new work zone course.

Why this chapter matters

Washington licenses new drivers in stages, and the permit test always asks about them. If you know the ages, the hours and the limits on teen drivers, you can pick up several easy marks and avoid losing your license early.

Your WDL number

Every Washington license, permit and ID card carries a Washington Driver License (WDL) number, a 12-digit number that belongs only to you. You need it before you apply for a permit. You get one by setting up your own License Express account (you cannot use someone else's) or at a driver licensing office. Your driving school also needs it to enroll you.

The instruction permit

• Without a course you can hold a permit, but you cannot get your license until 18.
• The permit costs $35 and is valid for one year. You can renew it twice. After that you need a new permit and must retake the knowledge test, unless you are enrolled in driver training.
• Under 18, a parent or guardian must give permission. If you do not live with one, another responsible adult over 21 (such as a relative, teacher or employer) may give permission for the permit.

Driving on a permit

• Carry your permit every time you drive.
• Drive only with a licensed driver who has at least 5 years of driving experience. You may carry other passengers of any age. (The Department of Licensing page for 16- and 17-year-olds describes the 50 logged practice hours as driving with someone licensed for at least 3 years.)
• No phone or other mobile device while driving, even hands-free, unless you need to call 911.
• Your Washington permit may not be valid in another state. Check before you drive there.

Your first license at 16 or 17

To move from a permit to an intermediate license you must:

• Be at least 16 and a Washington resident.
• Hold your permit for at least 6 months.
• Complete an approved driver training course. A course from another state counts only if it has at least 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. Online self-paced and parent-taught courses are not approved.
• Log at least 40 hours of daytime and 10 hours of night driving (50 hours in all) with a driver who has been licensed at least 3 years. A parent or guardian signs to confirm the hours.
• Have no traffic violations in the 6 months before you apply and no alcohol or drug offense while on your permit.
• Pass the knowledge and drive tests.
• From November 1, 2026, pass the free online work zone and first responder safety course (required for every first-time applicant under 25).

The intermediate license

• After one year with no crash or traffic ticket, the passenger and night limits end. Everything ends at 18, and the license converts automatically, so you do not need a new card.
• Driving for agricultural work under a farmer's direction is exempt.
• Police enforce these rules as a secondary action: an officer who stops you for another offense can also cite you for breaking a restriction.

Penalties for intermediate drivers

Getting your first license at 18 or older

You can skip the permit and driver training and simply pass the knowledge and drive tests. If you want to practice on public roads first, you need a permit and a licensed driver with 5 or more years of experience in the front passenger seat. You can also transfer a valid license from another state. The Department of Licensing has announced that from January 1, 2027, first-time applicants who are 18 will need driver education.

The two exams

• The knowledge test is a written multiple-choice test of 40 questions. You need 32 correct. It must be passed before the drive test, and a pass is good for 2 years.
• The drive test is scored out of 100 and you need at least 80. A pass is good for one year.
• Only you and the examiner ride in the car during the drive test (service animals and sign language interpreters are the exceptions).
• The car must be legally licensed and registered, carry proof of liability insurance, and have working brake lights, signal lights and seat belts.

At the licensing office

You show proof of identity, give your Social Security number (or sign a declaration that you do not have one), pass a vision screening, have your photo taken and pay the fees. A first license costs $111 for 6 years or $131 for 8 years. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, that is recorded on your license, and the guide reminds you to wear them every time you drive.

Early warning letters

The Department of Licensing writes to every driver aged 18 to 21 after a first moving violation, because a driver's crash risk doubles after that first ticket. Parents of intermediate drivers get similar letters.