How to Get a Driving Permit in Washington State

To get a driving permit in Washington state, you apply through the Department of Licensing once you turn 15 (if enrolled in a state-approved driver’s education course) or 15 and a half (if not), pay a $35 fee, and pass a 40-question knowledge test and a vision screening. If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian has to give consent as part of the application. The permit is good for one year and, for anyone under 18, must be held at least six months before you can apply for a driver’s license.

Who Can Apply

Two age paths lead to the same permit. You qualify at 15 if you’re enrolled in a state-approved traffic safety education course that includes practice driving. Skip the course, and you have to wait until you’re 15 and a half.¹

Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to authorize the permit. If you apply online, that adult has to be present to give electronic consent. Their signature links them to your driving record for liability purposes while the permit is active.²

Documents You Need

Washington verifies identity through a tiered document system. A valid U.S. passport works on its own. Without one, you’ll combine documents from different categories: a certified birth certificate to establish your name and date of birth, plus something like a Social Security card, school transcript, or school yearbook for supporting identification.³

The Department of Licensing publishes the acceptable documents by what each one proves — name, date of birth, signature, or photo. Check the list before you go. A school record with your date of birth and photo counts, but an unsigned Social Security card may not meet the signature requirement on its own.⁴

How the Application Works

Before applying for the permit itself, you need a Washington Driver License (WDL) number. This 12-digit identifier stays with you through every stage of driving in the state. You get one by completing a pre-application with the Department of Licensing using your legal name, date of birth, and residential address.²

What happens next depends on your age and whether you’re taking a driver training course.

If you’re getting licensed before 18, register for an approved driver training course and give the school your WDL number. The school notifies the Department of Licensing of your enrollment. You can complete the permit application no earlier than 10 days before the course starts.

If you’re waiting until 18 or not enrolling in a course, you study for and pass the knowledge test at an approved testing location in person, then complete the online permit application.

The permit costs $35 for one year.⁵ The fee increased from $25 at the start of 2026.⁶

If you want a photo on your permit card, you’ll need to visit a driver licensing office in person with your identity documents. Staff will take your photo and collect a digital signature. You can also complete the process entirely online and receive a permit without a photo, though a photo permit is more useful as everyday ID.

Once the application is approved and paid, you get a temporary paper permit right away. Carry it whenever you drive. The permanent plastic card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it hasn’t arrived after 30 days, call the Department of Licensing at 360-902-3900.²

The Knowledge Test

The knowledge test is a 40-question multiple-choice exam on traffic laws, road signs, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices. You need at least 32 correct answers, or 80%, to pass.⁷

Every question comes from the Washington Driver Guide, which the Department of Licensing publishes free online. It’s the only study material you really need. It covers speed limits, signaling, lane changes, parking, and how to handle emergencies. If you fail, a waiting period applies before you can retake it.

Vision Screening

Applicants also have to pass a vision test given by the Department of Licensing. The standard is 20/40 on the Snellen scale using both eyes, corrected or uncorrected. Anything worse and the department will require an eye exam from a licensed vision professional before it processes your application.⁸

Rules Once You Have the Permit

A permit is not a license. The rules are stricter, and breaking them can push back your path to full driving privileges.

You Cannot Drive Alone

A licensed driver with at least five years of experience must sit in the front passenger seat whenever you’re behind the wheel. A certified driving instructor also qualifies. The point of the seating requirement is that your supervisor has to be close enough to take control if something goes wrong.¹

No Wireless Devices

Permit holders can’t use any wireless device while driving, including hands-free systems and Bluetooth. That’s a stricter rule than the hands-free law that applies to fully licensed drivers. The only exception is calling 911 or reporting an emergency.⁹

Getting caught holding a phone while driving carries a $124 fine. For permit holders, the consequences go beyond the ticket. A first traffic violation triggers a warning letter from the Department of Licensing. A second violation can result in a six-month suspension of your permit or a suspension until you turn 18, whichever is shorter.

Seatbelts

All occupants have to wear seatbelts whenever the vehicle is moving. Washington is a primary enforcement state, so an officer can pull you over solely for an unbuckled passenger. The fine is $101.

How Long the Permit Lasts

Your instruction permit is valid for one year from the date it’s issued. If it expires before you’ve earned your license, you can apply for a second one-year permit. A third is possible, but the Department of Licensing will look into whether you’re making genuine progress before approving it. Each renewal costs $25.¹

Letting the permit lapse without renewing means you lose the ability to legally practice driving. Any supervised hours you’ve logged still count, but you’d have to reapply and pay again to get back on the road.

One thing worth planning around if you’re under 18: the six-month minimum holding period before you can apply for a driver’s license. That clock starts the day the permit is issued, so the earlier you apply after meeting the age requirement, the sooner you’ll be eligible for the next stage.¹⁰

1
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.20.055 – Instruction Permit
2
Washington State Department of Licensing. Get Your Learner Permit
3
Washington State Department of Licensing. Documents for Proof of Identity
4
Washington State Department of Licensing. Washington State Driver License and ID Requirements
5
Washington State Department of Licensing. Driver Licensing Fees
6
Washington State Legislature. Washington Code 46.20.055 – Instruction Permit
7
Washington State Department of Licensing. Do I Need to Take a Test
8
Washington State Legislature. WAC 308-104-010
9
Washington State Department of Licensing. Distracted Driving
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Washington State Department of Licensing. Driver License Application Ages 16 to 17