Obtaining an instruction permit is generally the first step that a beginner driver takes toward becoming a fully licensed driver in Washington. You are eligible to apply for an instruction permit if you are at least 15 years old and enrolled in a driver education class and:

• you have never been licensed to operate a vehicle, or
• you are a new resident of Washington who has been licensed in another state, but your driver's license has been expired for longer than six months

If you are not enrolled in a driver education class you have to wait until you are 15½ years old.

HOW TO OBTAIN AN ORIGINAL INSTRUCTION PERMIT

1. Download a copy of the Washington Driver's Manual, or get a hard copy by visiting a local Driver License office.
2. If you are under 18 years of age, you must submit a completed Parental Authorization Affidavit. Your parent or guardian must provide proof of their identity and relationship to you.
3. Visit your local Driver License office to submit the application. You must bring with you:
4. Proof of identity and Washington residency. If you have changed your name, you must bring documents that support and clearly indicate your current name.
5. Your Social Security card.
6. If enrolled in a driver education class, the signed application from the driving school instructor. (Not required if you are 15 ½ years old and pass a written knowledge test).
7. Cash or check for the $20 permit fee.
8. You will be given an eye screening (and a written knowledge test for 15 ½ year olds who are not enrolled in driver education) at the Driver License Center. If you pass these tests, you will be issued an instruction permit, which is valid for one year. An instruction permit may be renewed once.

When driving with an instruction permit you must be accompanied by a licensed driver age of 25 or older. This person must sit beside you.

THE INTERMEDIATE DRIVER LICENSE

If you are under 18, you must wait at least six months after being issued your instruction permit, and complete a minimum of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience, ten of which was at night (under direct supervision of an adult driver who has held a license for five years or more) before taking the driver's license road test. You should have a clean driving record in the six months prior to taking the road test. If you pass the road test, you will be issued an intermediate driver license. The intermediate driver license in Washington includes the following restrictions:

1. During the first year, you are not permitted to drive between 1 am and 5 am unless accompanied by a licensed driver aged 25 or older.
2. During the first six months, you cannot carry unrelated passengers under the age of 20.
3. During the second six months you may carry up to three unrelated passenger under the age of 20.

After one year there are no driving restrictions provided you have maintained a clean driving record.

THE REGULAR LICENSE

A full, unrestricted license may be issued when you are at least 18 years old. An intermediate license will automatically become a regular license once you are 18 years of age and have not had any convictions for a year.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• For more information, see our Beginner Drivers section.
• See also Applying for a Drivers License.
• See also Driver's Education, Driving Schools and Practice Tests.
• Bear in mind that in order to drive legally in the state of Washington, you must have valid auto insurance. See our Auto Insurance section for more information, or to obtain a competitive quote on car insurance.