Washington (WA) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

In Washington state, two thirds of all teenage deaths are from car crashes.  And much like other states across the nation, the risk for car crashes in 16-19 year olds in Washington state is higher than any other age group. In addition, some of the most devastating teen car crashes occur at night, between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 p.m. In response to the disturbing teen car crash statistics, Washington state has adopted the graduated driver licensing (GDL) system. Recently, the state has even updated and strengthened restrictions on teens seeking a driver’s license.

Continue reading to learn more about Washington state’s teen driving laws and the consequences for violating them.

Washington Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

In Washington state, teens must go through two stages before obtaining a full, unrestricted license. The first step is the driver’s permit. In order to obtain a driver’s permit, you must:

•    Be at least 15 years of age
•    Be enrolled in a driver’s education course (must provide a signed application from your driving instructor
•    Take a vision and hearing test
•    Take a knowledge test
•    Provide proof of Washington residency
•    Provide proof of identity
•    Provide a social security number
•    Provide a completed parental authorization affidavit
•    Pay the $20 fee (cash or check only).

If you are not enrolled in a driver’s education course, you must wait until the age of 15 ½ and pass a written test to obtain a driver’s permit.

You must hold the driver’s permit for at least 6 months before applying for an intermediate license – the second step in the graduated driver licensing process. During the driver’s permit period, you must:

•    Complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving with a licensed parent or guardian who has been licensed for at least 5 years – the 50 hours must  include 10 hours at night
•    Keep a clean record, meaning no traffic violations within 6 months of applying for the license
•    Avoid drinking and driving – you cannot be convicted of an alcohol or drug offense while holding a driver’s permit
 
Once you have satisfied all of the requirements of the driver’s permit stage, you may apply for your intermediate license. To obtain an intermediate license, you must be between the ages of 16 and 18. In Washington state, there are no exceptions to this rule. You must visit any driver licensing office and:

•    Provide a signed certificate showing that you have passed a state approved driver education course
•    Provide as parental authorization affidavit
•    Take a knowledge test
•    Take a driving test
•    Take a vision test
•    Provide proof of identity and residency
•    Provide a social security number
•    Pay the $25 fee (cash or check)

Once you have completed all of the requirements of the intermediate license and you have not violated any of the terms of the intermediate license listed below, you will become eligible to obtain your unrestricted license.

Washington Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

All permit holders must drive with a licensed parent/guardian or person over the age of 25 that has held an unrestricted license for at least 5 years. The supervising driver must be seated in the front passenger seat, next to the permit driver at all times. Permit holders may not transport passengers under the age of 20 unless they are members of the permit holder’s immediate family.

Under the terms of the intermediate license, the permit holder:

•    Cannot drive with passengers under the age of 20 for the first 6 months, unless they are members of your immediate family (spouse, child, stepchild, siblings, both by birth and marriage)
•    Cannot carry more than 3 passengers who are under the age of 20 years old for the next 6 months, who are not members of your immediate family
•    For the first 12 months, you cannot drive between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless you are with a licensed driver age 25 or older

You may drive between these hours unaccompanied if you are driving for agricultural purposes. This means, you must be transporting farm supplies or products under the direction of a farmer -- section RCW 46.20.070.

If you violate any of the conditions listed above, for a first offense, you will receive a ticket at a cost of at least $101 and the passenger and nighttime restrictions will be extended until the age of 18. A warning letter will also be sent to your parent. For a second offense, your license will be suspended for 6 months or until your 18th birthday, if that come first. Your parent will be notified as well. For a third offense, your license will be suspended until age 18 and your parent will be notified.

After 1 year of following these rules and driving without a collision or traffic citation, you can drive without limitations to 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.
-Washington State Department of Licensing

Washington Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

There is a complete ban on text messaging in Washington state. The ban took effect on January 1, 2008. The text-messaging ban is a traffic infraction and it is a secondary enforcement law. This means, you will only receive a ticket during a traffic stop for another violation. Drivers may use their cell phones with a hands-free accessory only. The cell phone law went into effect in July of 2008. This is  also a secondary enforcement law.

Washington Teen DUI Laws

In Washington state, it is a crime for a teen 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 state teen of DUI. If you get caught driving with a BAC of 0.02% or higher, you will lose your driver’s license until age 17 for a first offense. For a second offense, your licensed will be revoked for at least 2 years, or until the age of 18.

Washington Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

Whether you are an adult or a teen, in Washington state you must carry minimum auto liability insurance coverage of 25/50/10. This is equal to $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.

Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel, Washington auto insurance companies recommend purchasing higher amounts of coverage than the legal limits. If you plan to add a teen driver to your 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.