Washington Online Driver Education and Licensing Procedures

The process of applying for your Washington learner’s permit or first Washington driver’s license can be nerve-racking, but it doesn’t have to be if you have the right information. We want you to get as much out of this experience as possible, and have designed this guide to help guide you through the process. Washington has a “Graduated Driver License Program()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/getpermit.html for Washington teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your first Washington driver’s license goes as smoothly as possible. So let’s jump right in.

The Washington Learner’s Permit or Washington Instruction Permit

If you enroll in a Washington approved driver education course (see the note at the bottom of this guide about online providers), you can apply for a Washington Instruction permit when you turn 15. However, you must apply for the permit no more than 10 days before the class starts.

When you turn 15 and a half, you can also apply for a Washington Instruction Permit. Either way, in order to apply you’ll need:

  • If 15, your application must be signed by your driving school instructor
  • Washington Instruction Permit fee $20
  • A completed “Parental Authorization Affidavit()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/520003.html
  • “Proof of residence and identity()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/idproof.html
  • Pick up the “Washing Driver Guide()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/driverguide.pdf to study for the written test

Once all of this is in place, make an appointment, then head on down to your local “Washington Driver License Office()”:https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/dolprod/dsdoffices/ with your parent or guardian and submit your application. Then, you’ll have to take a vision test. If you’re not enrolled in a Washington approved driver education course, you’ll also have to pass a “knowledge test()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/writtentest.html. You’ve accomplished the first step—you know have a Washington Instruction Permit, which is valid for 1 year and may be renewed once.

Remember, you must practice driving with your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or licensed driver who has at least 5 years experience. Of course, all passengers must wear seatbelts, and be sure to carry your Washington Learner’s Permit with you at all times.

Once you’ve held your Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months without incident and have met a few more requirements, you’ll graduate to the next step in the Washington Graduated License Program, the Washington Intermediate Driver License.

The Washington Intermediate Driver License or Washington Provisional License

You can apply for your Washington Intermediate Driver’s License once you’ve held your Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months in good standing. However, you’ll also need to satisfy the following requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years old
  • Pass a “Washington approved traffic safety course()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/drivertraining.html
  • Hold a Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months
  • Practice driving for at least 50 hours with a licensed driver with 5 years experience
  • At least 10 hours must be at night
  • Record your driving practice in the “Intermediate License logbook()”:http://www.k12.wa.us/TrafficSafety/pubdocs/BTW/workbooklogTS.pdf
  • Your parents and read the “Washington Parent Guide to Teen Driving()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/parentguide.pdf or “Safe-Driving Agreement()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/safedrivingagreement.pdf to help out
  • And finally, drive without Washington traffic violations or alcohol or drug convictions

All set? Then, make an appointment and head on down to your local Washington Driver License Office again. Remember to bring your parent/guardian, your traffic safety certificate, your identification documents, and your Parental Authorization Affidavit. Now you’ll have to take the “dreaded Washington road test()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/drivingtest.html! If you pass, then give yourself a reward: you’ve just earned your Washington Intermediate Driver’s License! Now you’re just a few more months of good behavior away from getting your full license.

Washington Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

There are still a few “restrictions()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/teens.html you’ll have to keep in mind now that you have your Washington Intermediate Driver’s License:

  • All passengers and the driver must wear seat belts
  • For the first 6 months, no passengers under 20 unless they are family members
  • For the second 6 months, no more than 3 passengers under 20 except for family members
  • For the first 12 months, no driving between 1AM and 5AM unless with a driver 25 or older (or if you drive for agricultural purposes)
  • And finally, no cell phones while driving (that includes hands-free devices)

Upon your first violation of these restrictions, you’ll receive a warning letter. For your second violation, your Washington Intermediate Driver license will be suspended for 6 months (or until you turn 18, whichever comes first). Upon your third violation, your Washington License will be suspended until you turn 18. If these seems strict, just remember that once you turn 18, these restrictions will be removed. And then, freedom!

Washington Drunk Driving Laws

As a Washington teen driver, you’ll face no bigger threat than the one posed by drunk drivers. it’s important for you to learn the Washington drunk driving laws and follow them religiously. Like most states, Washington has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Washington DUI or Washington DWI, your Washington Learner Permit or Washington Driver’s License will be suspended.

In general, upon your first conviction of a Washington DUI of .08, you’ll also face the following penalties:

  • Washington License Suspension 90 days
  • Jail 24 hours to 1 year or Electronic Home Monitoring 15 days
  • Fine $865.50 to $5,000

For a Blood Alcohol Content of .15 or above, you’ll face the following penalties:

  • Jail 2 days to 2 years or Electronic Home Monitoring 30 days
  • Fine $1,120.50 to $5,000
  • Washington License Suspension 1 year
  • Ignition Interlock Device installation
  • Possible Alcohol/Drug Education class

And of course, further Washington DWI and DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Washington license suspension or even Washington license revocation. There’s no bigger abuse of the privilege of driving than getting behind the wheel drunk, and the State of Washington takes it very seriously.

Washington Auto Insurance Financial Responsibility Laws

You may think you’re ready to drive just because you’ve received your Washington Provisional Driver license, but there are still other things you need to know. Most crucially, Washington drivers are required by law to be covered by liability insurance. The minimum liability insurance coverage is:

  • $25,000 bodily injury for one person
  • $50,000 bodily injury two or more people
  • $10,000 for property damage per accident

If you are in an accident and found to be driving without Washington mandatory liability insurance, your Washington Learner Permit or Washington Driver’s License could be suspended.

Cell Phone and Text Messaging Laws

Currently, Washington teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving, even with hands-free devices! And at any age, frequent cell phone use while driving can be risky, so keep it to a minimum!

Washington Online Driver Education

Washington teen drivers can receive their Washington Learner’s Permit if they enroll in a “Washington approved driver education class()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/drivertraining.html. More information about approved Washington online driver education can be found on the “Washington Department of Motor Vehicle website()”:http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/drivertraining.html.

Washington Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I pay for the TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington online drivers education course?
    You may choose to pay with either credit card, check, online check, or money order for the TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington internet drivers ed course. You also can select “pay later” option, but payment must be received prior to the final examination.
  • Do you offer any special shipping for receiving my TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington internet drivers ed certificate of completion?
    Yes! TeenDrivingCourse.com offers several shipping options, including regular US Mail and Federal Express. When you register, you will also be asked to select your Washington certificate of completion. If you select regular US Mail, your online Washington traffic school certificate will be delivered in 7-10 business days. If you select Federal Express, you can select Priority Overnight (by or before 10:30AM the next business morning), or Standard Overnight (by or before 5PM the next business day). Other Federal Express options are Second Day (by or before 5PM on the second business day), Express (by or before 5PM on the third business day), and also Saturday Federal Express Delivery (by or before 12PM on Saturday) if you complete your online Washington traffic school course on a Friday.
  • Is TeenDrivingCourse.com’s website secure if I want to either give out a credit card number or pay by check?
    Yes! TeenDrivingCourse.com uses the very latest in SSL data encryption technology to make sure that your personal and payment information is 100% secure. We offer payment by either credit card, check or online check, and all of these methods are 100% secure on our website.
  • What do I need to pay for TeenDrivingCourse.com’s Washington online drivers ed course?
    The TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington online drivers ed course or new drivers course is $24.99. Discounts may be available if you have a “refer a friend” discount code.
  • How can I be sure that I am eligible to take TeenDrivingCourse.com’s Washington online drivers education course?

In most states, you must be at least 15 1/2 to take drivers ed for your learners permit. You should check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) (or whichever state agency handles the issuance of drivers licenses in Washington) to make sure that you are eligible to take Washington driver education.

Please be aware that although TeenDrivingCourse.com is sufficient for fulfilling driver education requirements in some states, in other states TeenDrivingCourse.com is only offered as a supplement to the driver education and/or training you will receive at a state-approved driving school. To find out if TeenDrivingCourse.com will meet your state’s minimum driver education requirements, we recommend that you check with the Washington Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

  • I need to take a Washington education course as soon as possible. How fast-paced is the Washington internet drivers education course that TeenDrivingCourse.com offers?
    You can set your own pace! Once you sign-up for the TeenDrivingCourse.com online drivers ed class, you can start the Washington learners permit course immediately or wait until later. You can start-and-stop the Washington drivers ed course as often as you like — at TeenDrivingCourse.com you set the schedule! Once you finish the Washington drivers ed internet course, you must take a Washington final exam. If you don’t pass the Washington test on your first try, you can retake it as many times as you need until you pass!
  • IMPORTANT: Please be aware that although TeenDrivingCourse.com is sufficient for fulfilling driver education requirements in some states, in other states TeenDrivingCourse.com is only offered as a supplement to the driver education and/or training you will receive at a state-approved driving school. To find out if TeenDrivingCourse.com will meet your state’s minimum driver education requirements, we recommend that you check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or whichever state agency oversees the licensing of drivers in Washington.
  • I’m looking to take the TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington online driver education course. Do I get an insurance discount after I pass it?
    It depends on which state you live in and which company you are insured with. In some states, insurance carriers do offer insurance discounts to teen-aged drivers who successfully complete an online Washington drivers education course. We recommend that you contact your insurance agent in Washington to see what, if any, discount you may qualify for by enrolling in TeenDrivingCourse.com’s Washington online drivers education course.
  • Does the entire Washington drivers ed course have to be taken on a single computer, or can multiple computers be used?
    At TeenDrivingCourse.com we care about your convenience. You’re free to take the Washington online driver education course from any computer you want, anywhere you want. If you want to take part of the Washington Online driver ed course at school and part of the Washington Learners permit course from home, that’s perfectly okay! Any computer with internet access will work.
  • Is it mandatory that I complete the TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington online drivers ed course all at one time?
    No. You may choose to take the TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington internet drivers education course all at once, or you have the option to start and stop the Washington internet drivers ed course as often as necessary.
  • I am completing the Washington online drivers education course. Will I be able to receive my Washington certificate of completion within 24 hours?
    It is possible. We do offer expedited shipping through Federal Express. Depending upon how quickly you need your Washington certificate, you receive it in as little as 24 hours.
  • How much instruction am I really getting with your Washington online driver education course?
    With our Washington online learners permit course, you will get a full learning experience offering a total of 30 hours of instruction time, more than enough to get you ready to learn to drive. However, in some states where timers are not required you may not have to spend an entire 30 hours taking the Washington online learners permit course.
  • Am I allowed to ask for my money back if it turns out I can’t finish the Washington online drivers’ ed course?
    Yes. If due to extenuating circumstances you are unable to complete the Washington online driver education course, you are always able to request a refund as long as it’s before your Washington certificate of completion has been shipped. This is a more generous policy than offered by our competitors, who do not allow refund requests after a certain point in the Washington internet driver education course.
  • I often have trouble reading large amounts of printed text. What can I do while taking the Washington online driver education course to make the Washington online driver education course easier on my eyes?
    Since TeenDrivingCourse.com cares about the needs of all students, our Washington online learners permit courses take into account the needs of those who have difficulty reading large amounts of text. The “Read Along” option reads the material aloud while you follow along with the online text. Simply order the feature when you register for the Washington online drivers ed class.
  • If I want to take the Washington TeenDrivingCourse.com online drivers ed course, how can I find out if it is approved by the Washington Department of Motor Vehicles?
    The Washington Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be able to tell you whether TeenDrivingCourse.com will fulfill your state’s driver education requirements or whether TeenDrivingCourse.com may be taken as a supplement to the driver education and/or training you will receive at a state-approved driving school.
  • I plan to take the Washington learners permit test. Is there any Washington paperwork that I’ll need in order to do that?
    In general, you need to have received a certificate of completion for a Washington driver’s education class before you can be issued a learner’s permit in Washington.

Again, this is a general rule and may not apply in Washington, so we suggest you contact your local Washington driver’s license office and ask exactly what documentation you will be required to provide when you go to take your Washington learner’s permit exam.

  • Do you have any specific recommendations when I am taking the TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington online drivers ed course quizzes?
    It is recommended that you review and study the TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington online drivers ed course material, so that you will be fully prepared for a Washington internet drivers ed course quiz at the end of each Washington online drivers ed course chapter.
  • What makes the TeenDrivingCourse.com online Washington drivers ed course special? Why couldn’t I just take the Washington drivers ed course in a classroom?
    You could, but what makes the TeenDrivingCourse.com Washington online learners permit course special, besides the quality of instruction, is the amount of freedom we give you. Rather than sit in a classroom passively listening to a teacher, you’ll instead be learning what you want, where you want, how you want! Even in states that do not allow online driver education, the Washington driver ed course offered by TeenDrivingCourse.com can still be a useful tool that will reinforce the things you learn in the classroom.
  • What ID verification procedures can I expect while taking the Washington online driver’s ed course?
    Many states will not require ID verification when taking an online driver education course, although this can vary from state to state. A few states may require us to verify your identity by, for example, asking you personal questios throughout the course. The purpose of this is simply to verify that you are who you say you are.