District of Columbia (DC) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

In Washington DC, much like the rest of the U.S., teens represent only a small percentage of drivers on the road, but they are involved in more car crasher each year than any other group. First year teen drivers are at an even greater risk. To help reduce the number of teen accidents on its roads, Washington DC has it’s own Graduated Driver Licensing system called “GRAD.” The Gradual Raring of Adult Drivers program allows young drivers ages 16-21 to gain valuable driving experience before obtaining full driving privileges.

Continue reading to learn more about Washington DC’s GRAD program and what it takes to make it through each phase.

Washington Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

Washington’s Graduated Driver Licensing program has three phases of licensing:

1.    Supervised Learner's Phase (learner permit)
2.    Intermediate Phase (provisional license)
3.    Full License (Washington DC driver license)
 
To obtain a learner permit, you must:

•    Be at least 16 years of age
•    Pass a vision screening
•    Pass a knowledge exam
•    Provide proof of Washington residency
•    Provide proof of U.S. citizenship
•    Provide proof of identity
•    Provide a social security card
•    Provide notarized parental consent form

During the learner permit phase (minimum 6 months), you must complete 40 hours of behind the wheel driving practice. Once you have satisfied all requirements of the learner permit phase, you may apply for a provisional license. To obtain your provisional license you must:

•    Be 16 ½ years of age
•    Have held the learner permit for at least 6 months
•    Provide a signed 40 hours Certification for Provisional License form
•    Pass the road skills test
•    Pass a vision screening
•    Provide all of the documentation listed above

Once you have satisfied all of the requirements of the provisional license you may apply for your full license. You will have to provide the documents listed above and pass a vision, written, and road test. Please note that 17-18 year olds will still have passenger and nighttime driving restrictions. Continue reading to learn more.

Washington Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

Under the conditions of the learner permit:

•    You may drive a car only when accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older in front seat
•    Seatbelts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers 
•    Children age 8 or under must be in approved child restraint device
•    Permit holder is only allowed on the road between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Under the conditions of the provisional license:

•    You may have only one passenger in the car with you at a time. The passenger must be a valid full license holder, age 21 or older.
•    Besides one unrelated passenger as described above, only siblings and parents are allowed in the car as additional passengers
•    You may not drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless accompanied by parent, legal guardian, or licensed driver age 21 or older wearing a seat belt, and occupying the passenger seat beside you (see exceptions below)
•    Seatbelts are mandatory for the driver and all passengers

Under the conditions of the full license, drivers between the ages of 17 and 18:

•    May drive unaccompanied between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. only
•    You may not drive between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless accompanied by parent, legal guardian, or licensed driver age 21 or older wearing a seat belt, and occupying the passenger seat beside you (see exceptions below)
•    You may have only one passenger in the car with you at a time – the passenger must be a valid full license holder, age 21 or older
•    Besides one unrelated passenger as described above, only siblings and parents are allowed in the car as additional passengers

Exceptions: You may operate a motor vehicle during GRAD restricted hours if you are driving to or from work, a school-sponsored activity, religious or an athletic event, or related training session in which you are a participant, sponsored by the District of Columbia, a civic organization, or another similar entity that takes responsibility for the minor, or if accompanied by the holder of a valid driver’s license who is 21 years of age or older, wearing a seat belt, and occupying the passenger seat beside you. --District of Columbia Department of Motor vehicles

Please note that after your 18th birthday, the restrictions will no longer apply, if you have not violated any GRAD restrictions. If you violate Washington’s GRAD program restrictions, your permit or license will be suspended for 90 days. You will have to pay a reinstatement fee as well and your parents will be notified.

Washington Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

You may not use a mobile phone or other electronic device with (with or without hands free accessories) while driving in the District of Columbia. If you violate Washington’s cell phone laws, your permit or license will be suspended for 90 days and you will have to pay a reinstatement fee.

Washington Teen DUI Laws

In the state of Washington, it is a crime for a teen (or anyone under the age of 21) to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.02% or higher. A BAC of 0.02% is as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It can be even less for some. Proof of a BAC of 0.02% is all that is needed to convict a Washington teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, you face a 90-day license suspension, fines, and could even end up serving time through the state’s house arrest program.

Washington Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

In Washington DC, auto insurance is the law for all. In order to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Washington, all drivers must carry the minimum levels of auto liability insurance required by Washington law. All drivers must carry at least $25,000 for bodily injury or death per person per accident, $50,000 for bodily injury or death for two or more people per accident, and $10,000 for damage to the property of others per accident (25/50/10).

Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel, Washington DC auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy, instead of purchasing a separate auto insurance policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year. The average increase is around $2,171 a year.