But It's So Unfair!!

If you think the law's unfair, check out these statistics:

In 2002, over 8000 people in our country ages 15-20 were involved in fatal motor vehicle crashes. Nearly 4000 drivers in this age group were killed, and 324,000 others injured.
Two thirds of all teenage deaths in Washington are from car crashes.
The risk for crashes is higher in 16-19 year olds than in any other age group. Per mile driven, drivers in that age group are four times more likely than older drivers to crash.
The motor vehicle death rate for males in the 16-19 year old group is nearly twice what it is for females in the same age group.
The presence of teen passengers increases the crash risk for teen drivers, with the risk increasing with the number of passengers.
In 2001, 43% of teen motor vehicle deaths occurred between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

For more information on teen driving, please visit the following links.

Teen Driving Rules

In response to the disproportionate number of serious and fatal accidents involving teenagers, Washington State recently changed and strengthened restrictions on obtaining a new driver's license. We hope the following information will help parents and their teens better understand the process.

Driver's Permit

If a teen is enrolled in a Driver's Education course, they can obtain their Driver's Permit at the age of 15. If not enrolled, they must wait until age 15 1/2, and pass the written test, to get the permit.

Intermediate Driver's License

Intermediate Driver's Licenses are only issued to teens ages 16 to 18. The teen must have a driver's permit for six months and:

Complete 50 hours of supervised driving time with a parent or driver who has at least five years of driving experience. At least 10 of the 50 supervised hours must take place at night.
Have a clean driving record for at least six months
Pass a Driver's Education Course
Pass the written and driving test (or just the driving test if the written test was passed to get the Driver's Permit.

Restrictions

For the first year, no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driver at least 25 years old;
For the first six months, no passengers under age 20, except for family members;
For the second six months, no more than three passengers under age 20.

Passenger and night driving restrictions expire after the first year if the teen has maintained a record free of citations and accidents.

Penalties

If any traffic violations or collisions occur during the first year with an Intermediate license, the passenger and nighttime restrictions will continue. In addition, the following actions are taken if a driving offense takes place:

1st offense - a warning letter is sent to the parent or guardian, as well as the ticket which is at least $101;
2nd offense - suspension of the driver's license for six months, as well as the cost of the ticket;
3rd offense - license is suspended until the age of 18.

Alcohol, drug and firearm offenses will negatively affect a teen's driving status. The first offense will result in a revocation of the driver's license for at least a year or until the age of 17. A second offense will revoke the license for at least two years, or until the age of 18.