For decades, automobile crashes have been and still are the number one killer of Americans ages 15 to 20. In 1999, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 520,000 teens were injured and more than 4,900 died in automobile crashes. That is an average of over thirteen deaths every day, or approximately one teen in every state every four days. These numbers continue to go up in spite of the fact that deaths and injuries for all other Driver age groups have dropped in the last decade.

An Intermediate Driver License, sometimes referred to as a teen or graduated license, is issued to a Driver under the age of eighteen.

When does the Intermediate Driver License law go into effect?

There will be no effect on licenses issued to Drivers under the age of eighteen prior to the law's effective date. Only licenses issued on or after July 1, 2001 will be considered Intermediate Driver Licenses

How long is a person required to have an Intermediate Driver License?

Be at least sixteen years of age.

Have possessed a valid Instruction Permit for six months.

Pass a Driver license examination.

Present proof of passing an approved Driver education course.

Be certified by the applicant's parent, guardian, or employer to have had at least 50 hours of supervised driving experience, with at least ten of those hours at night.

Not have been convicted or found to have committed a traffic infraction within the six-month period prior to the application for an Intermediate Driver License.

Not have been adjudicated for an offense involving the use of alcohol or drugs during the period that the applicant held an Instruction Permit.

An Intermediate Driver License is different from a regular license in two ways. First, the use of an Intermediate Driver License is subject to certain restrictions. Second, an Intermediate Driver is subject to licensing sanctions if he or she commits or is convicted of traffic offenses or violations of the license restrictions.

What restrictions are placed on an Intermediate Driver License?

For the first six months after issuance of an Intermediate Driver License, the holder of the license may not have any passengers in the car under the age of 20, except for members of the holder's immediate family.

After the first six months, the holder may not have more than three passengers in the car under the age of 20, except for members of the holder's immediate family.

The holder of an Intermediate Driver License may not operate a vehicle between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. except when the holder is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or a licensed Driver who is at least twenty-five years of age.

The only exception to the restrictions is if it is necessary for the Driver to operate a motor vehicle for agricultural purposes, such as transporting farm products or farming supplies under the direction of a farmer.

How long do the restrictions remain on the Intermediate Driver License?
The restrictions on the Intermediate Driver License can remain in effect until the Driver turns eighteen years of age. However, twelve months after the issuance of an Intermediate Driver License the restrictions will be removed if the holder has not been involved in an automobile accident and has not committed or been convicted of traffic offenses or violations of the license restrictions. While the driving restrictions may expire after twelve months, and then won’t be re-imposed, the Driver is still subject to receiving an intermediate license warning letter and the license suspension penalties until age 18.

Who is considered to be the immediate family of the Intermediate Driver License holder?
The definition of "immediate family" for purposes of the Intermediate Driver License, applies only to passengers under the age or 20 and makes an allowance for the holder's spouse, and child, stepchild, brother, half brother, sister or half sister (both by birth and marriage).

What happens if the holder of an Intermediate Driver License commits or is convicted of traffic offenses or violations of the restrictions on the license?
For a first traffic offense that is a Rules of the Road violation, or for a first violation of the restrictions on an Intermediate Driver License, a warning letter will be sent to the Driver parent or guardian. For a second such offense, the Department will suspend the Intermediate Driver License for six months or until the Driver reaches age eighteen, whichever occurs first. A notice of the suspension will be sent to the Driver and a copy of the notice will be sent to the Driver parent or guardian. For a third such offense, the Department will suspend the Intermediate Driver License until the Driver reaches age eighteen. A notice of the suspension will be sent to the Driver and a copy of the notice will be sent to the Driver parent or guardian.

How will the police enforce the new Intermediate Driver License law? Will they just pull someone over that looks like they are 16 and that has people in the car?
Enforcement of the Intermediate Driver License law is handled as a "secondary action". This means that the officer first has to stop the Driver for another traffic offense, and then the officer can cite the Driver for violations of intermediate license restrictions. The best plan is for an intermediate licensed Driver to always comply with the driving and passenger restrictions and not risk getting two tickets for what might be a single mistake.

If a person was issued a regular Driver license under the old law and then has their driving privilege revoked, does the Intermediate License law apply when their next license is issued?
The new Intermediate License law (RCW 46.20.075) will apply if the license is obtained before the Driver turns age 18. After a revocation the Driver has to reapply, pass the tests and then will receive an intermediate license. Even though the Driver has been licensed before, their new license will have the same 6-month & one-year intermediate license restrictions on it.

Can a minor get an Intermediate License if they have had a drug or alcohol related charge of Minor in Possession (MIP)?
If the minor had a MIP during the time when they held an instruction permit, they would not be eligible to get an intermediate license. The minor will have to wait until age 18 to get their first license.

Do the requirements for the intermediate license apply to a minor who has been emancipated?
Yes. As long as they are under the age of eighteen, they must still meet the same requirements as any other minor. The legislature did not exempt emancipated minors from the intermediate license requirements. A parent, legal guardian or employer must certify that the minor has obtained the necessary driving experience.

Would a minor, under the age of 18, who moves to Washington and has a valid out of state license, be subject to the intermediate license requirements?
Yes. A minor with a valid out of state license would have to obtain an intermediate license, and meet all the same requirements. The written test will be required but since they already have a valid license the drive test may be waived. The minor may also have met the requirements for 50 hours of driving experience with an instruction permit or the Driver license from their home state. If so, the parent and minor can certify this on the license application.

How will a parent, guardian or employer certify that the minor has completed the required driving practice before they obtain their intermediate license?
The parent, guardian, or employer will sign a statement on the license application that certifies that the requirement of 50 hours of supervised driving practice has been satisfied. The minor is also required to sign the application and, under penalty of perjury, is certifying that the information on it is true and correct.