GETTING YOUR LICENSE
What are Graduated Driver Licensing laws?
Graduated Driver Licensing (or GDL) laws are designed to gradually
provide new drivers with critical behind-the-wheel experience by
phasing in full privileges over time and in lower risk settings.
Nearly all states have some GDL laws in place.At the very least, this means
there are three stages of licensure.
The first stage is a Learner’s Permit. It allows you to practice driving
with a supervising adult (parent, another trusted adult and/or
professional driving instructor).
The second stage is a Probationary License (also known as a Junior,
Intermediate or Provisional License).This license allows you to drive
independently after logging at least 50 hours of supervised driving
practice and passing an on-the-road exam.This stage also usually
includes some limits on driving at night, passengers and cell phone use.
The third (and final) stage is a Full License.This is obtained after you
have remained violation-free for a set period of time.
Remember that even experienced drivers need practice in new driving
situations. It’s a good idea to have a parent ride along when you are in a
new situation (such as when weather changes or you’re driving on a new
kind of highway).
Understand that restrictions set by your parents and GDL laws are de-
signed to get you the experience you need to be a safe driver. Following
these rules, logging supervised miles on the road and staying in control of
your car and your passengers will help your driving skills improve.
Welcome to “Steering Teens to Safety.” Learning to
drive is an exciting time in your life, but it is also a
time of great responsibility. Luckily, State Farm has
got you covered. Follow along for an introduction and
investigation of license laws, common driver distrac-
tions and online and on-the-roads tools to help make
you a skilled driver. Team up with
State Farm and we’ll steer
you to safety!
GDL LAWS IN WASHINGTON STATE
If you are under 18 when you get your driver license inWashington state, you will be issued an
intermediate license and must follow these rules:
• Passengers:
• For the first six months, you cannot
drive with passengers under the age of 20
unless they are members of your immediate
family (such as a spouse, child, stepchild
or siblings by birth and/or marriage).
• For the next six months, you cannot carry
more than three passengers under 20 years
old who are not members of your
immediate family.
• Nighttime driving:
For the first 12 months, you cannot drive
between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless you are
with a licensed driver age 25 or older.
The only exception to this rule is if
you drive for agricultural purposes,
meaning you transport farm
products or supplies under the
direction of
a farmer.
• Cell phones:
You aren’t permitted to use wireless devices
while driving, even with a hands-free device.This
includes talking on cell phones and sending or
receiving text messages.You may only use a
wireless device to report an emergency.
After one year of following these rules and
driving without a collision or traffic citation, you
can drive without limitations on the time of
day or passengers you can carry.When you turn
18, these special rules no longer apply and your
intermediate driver license automatically
becomes a regular license.
Source:Washington State
Department of Licensing
Be at least
16 years old
Pass a
traffic safety
education
course
Not have any
traffic violations
within six months
of applying for
the license
Not have
been convicted
of any alcohol
or drug offense
while holding an
instruction
permit
Getting
your license
in the state of
Washington
Before getting a driver
license in Washington
state, a teen must:
Get at least
50 hours of
supervised
driving practice
(including 10 hours at night)
with someone who has
been licensed
for five years
or more
Have an
instruction
permit for
at least six
months
