WA · Drivers education
Washington drivers ed guide
Families in Washington who want a license before 18 must finish a DOL-approved course of 30 classroom hours and 6 driving hours; self-paced online courses are not accepted. From January 1, 2027, 18 year olds getting a first license need driver education too, widening to everyone under 22 by 2030, and a driver with a ticket can ask the court for a deferred finding once in seven years.
Checked against Washington State Department of Licensing on 2026-10-23.
Getting Your Washington Teen Licensed Before 18: The Family Guide
This page is for Washington parents and teens who want a license before the 18th birthday. The decision in front of you is not whether to take a course, because the state requires one for anyone licensed under 18, but wh...
- Earliest permit, enrolled in a courseAge 15
- Earliest permit, not enrolledAge 15 and a half
- Earliest intermediate licenseAge 16
Learning to Drive as an Adult in Washington State
This page is for anyone 18 or older getting a first Washington license. Your decision is whether you can simply test, or whether a course now applies to you. As of October 2026, adults pass the knowledge and drive tests ...
- Course needed at 18 or olderNo in 2026; required at 18 from Jan 1, 2027
- Permit needed at 18 or olderOnly for practice on public roads
- Who can supervise permit practiceA driver licensed at least 5 years
Washington Ticket Help: Deferrals, Courses and the 55+ Discount
This page is for Washington drivers who just got a ticket, received a suspension letter, or are 55 or older and want a cheaper policy. The decision is usually whether to pay or ask for a hearing. Washington has no statew...
- How a ticket can be dismissedDeferred finding, at the court's discretion
- How often1 moving violation deferral every 7 years
- Time to respond to a ticket30 days