A 4-minute lesson from the Washington course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
At 16 or 17, your first license comes only after time on a permit, an approved traffic safety course, supervised practice, and a clean record. A parent or guardian signs off on your hours, and your driving school reports your scores to DOL.
To get your first license at 16 or 17 you must:
Hold your instruction permit for at least 6 months
Be at least 16 and a Washington resident
Complete a traffic safety course at an approved driver training school
Pass both the Driving Knowledge Exam and the Driving Skills Exam
Drive 40 hours in daylight and 10 at night with a licensed driver of 3+ years' experience
Have no traffic violations or convictions in the 6 months before you apply
Have no alcohol or drug offenses while driving with your permit
The parental authorization form gives you permission to apply, certifies at least 50 hours of driving experience, and confirms no traffic infractions or violations in the last 6 months.
Your parent or guardian must show proof of identity and of their relationship to you. If your last names differ, bring documents showing the relationship.
Driver training courses for students under 18 must offer a parent orientation class that explains the 40-hour daylight and 10-hour night driving requirement.
Maya, 16, got a speeding ticket 4 months ago. Even with her hours logged and exams passed, she must wait until she has gone 6 months without a violation before applying.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
How many hours of classroom instruction does Washington's approved traffic safety course require for teen drivers?
20 hours
40 hours
50 hours
30 hours
Answer: 30 hours
An approved traffic safety course requires 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours behind the wheel.