Get your Drivers Permit
You must be at least 16 years old to get a Washington driver's license.
If you are under the age of 18, you must hold an instruction permit for at least six months and show proof of your successful completion of a state-approved driver education program. Along with, your parent or guardian certified that you have received at least 50 hours of driving practice, 10 hours of which you must have been completed after sunset before you can take the road skills test.
If you are over the age 18, you will be required to pass a knowledge test on Washington traffic safety laws plus take a vision, hearing and color recognition test before taking the road skills test.
Prepare for the Written Knowledge Test
The Washington DMV requires that all applicants must pass a written exam on traffic signs, motor vehicle laws and safe driving techniques. If you fail the exam, you must take the test again with the charge of re-examination fee.
New Washington Residents
New residents with an out-of-state license must obtain a Washington license within 30 days of establishing a permanent residence in Washington. Be sure to take the license from your former state as you will be required to surrender it in order to obtain the new license in the DMV office.
Vision and color perception test are required to change a valid out- of-state license to a Washington driver's license.
If your out-of-state license is expired you may have to apply as a new driver and take the written test and road test.
International Drivers
If you have a valid license issued by another country you may operate a motor vehicle in this state for up to one year.
If you have moved to Washington State from a country other than Germany, or a Canadian province other than British Columbia, you must complete all the steps to get your first license.
Required Paperwork
Before you leave to the Washington DMV Office, make sure you have all the required documents to get your driver's license:
- Washington ID and Required Documents
- Documents that establish your identity must contain your name, date of birth, signature, photo, and current residence address, in whole or in combination,
- Parental/guardian permission.
On the Road
The licensee must be at least 16 years and 6 months old to qualify for an intermediate license, and not allowed to drive between the hours of 1 AM to 5 AM. For the first 6 months, the licensee is not allowed to have passengers under the age of 20. For the next 6 months, the licensee is not allowed to have more than 3 passengers under the age of 20.
When all your licensing requirements have been met, you will receive your new:
- Restricted License if 16 to 17 years of age.
Washington DMV Permit Test Fact Sheet:
| Number of questions |
: |
25 |
| Answer correctly to pass |
: |
21 |
| Passing score |
: |
84% |
Do you need a Commercial Driver License in Washington?
CDL Endorsements are required for double/triple trailers, tanker vehicles, passenger vehicles and vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. If you live in Washington and drive a Class A, B or C commercial vehicle, you must have a Washington Commercial Driver License (CDL).
To operate a commercial vehicle in one of the following classifications, you must have a Washington CDL Endorsement.
Class A License - This classification applies only to combination vehicles with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) exceeding 26,000 pounds provided the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds. The holder of a Class A license, which includes any appropriate endorsements, may operate all vehicles included in Class B, C, and D.
Class B License - This class includes single or combination vehicles where the GVWR of the single vehicle exceeds 26,000 pounds. The vehicle in tow must not exceed 10,000 pounds. Class B licensees, with appropriate endorsements, may drive all vehicles in Class C or D.
Class C License – This class includes vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and vehicles placarded for hazardous materials, that do not meet the criteria for Class A or B above fall under this classification and may drive all vehicles in Class D.
The law exempts three groups of drivers from the CDL:
- Farmers transporting farm equipment, supplies, or products to or from a farm in a farm vehicle are exempted, provided a farmer or a farm employee operates the vehicle.
- Fire-fighters/Law Enforcement Personnel operating emergency equipment are exempted provided they have completed the Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention Program (EVAP), they carry a card certifying completion.
- Recreational Vehicle Operators are exempted when driving RV's for non-commercial purposes. This includes two axle rental trucks and horse trailers for non-commercial purposes.
About the CDL Knowledge Tests
Knowledge testing is first come first served, so drivers should allow at least an hour at the licensing office to complete the application and the test. Driver licensing offices do not begin any CDL testing after 3:30 p.m., so applicants are encouraged to arrive in time to complete the application and begin the test by that time.
You will have to take one or more knowledge tests, depending on what class of license and what endorsements you need. All CDL applicants must take the general knowledge test. Pay $10 test fee is valid for a single test attempt but can apply to several different tests.
Washington CDL Skills Tests
There are three types of general skills that will be tested:
- Pre-trip inspection,
- Basic vehicle control, and
- On-road driving.
You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. A vehicle may not be used for testing purposes if it is not legally licensed, has defective equipment or does not meet necessary state or federal guidelines. The skills tests take approximately 2 hours.
Pre-Trip Vehicle Inspection: You will be tested to see whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why.
Basic Vehicle Control: You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it, etc, within a defined area. These areas will be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar to it. The examiner will tell you how each control test is to be done.
On-road Test: You will be tested on your skill of how safely you can drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railway crossings, curves, up and down grades, and single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive.
What are few other Requirements for a CDL?
To obtain a CDL or CDL instruction permits (CDIP) you must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid Washington State driver license. You must be at least 21 years of age to apply for an interstate CDL.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require drivers to pass a physical examination once every 2 years. The main physical requirements include:
- Good hearing,
- 20/40 vision with or without glasses or corrective lenses, and
- A 70-degree field of vision in each eye and drivers must not be colorblind.
What should you take to the Department Of Motor Vehicles?
Along with all the required identification documents, and your medical release form, make sure you have:
- Signed CDL Skills Test Result Form issued by a driver licensing office. This is a required form and you won't be tested or issued a license without it,
- Your valid Washington State driver license,
- Proof of valid insurance or a letter from the owner of the vehicle that authorizes you to use it for your test,
- Washington ID and Required Documents.
What fees should you pay?
To obtain a CDL you will need to pay the appropriate fees.
- Pay $10 testing fee for the knowledge test,
- Pay $10 fee for the CDIP,
- Pay $40 Commercial Drivers License fee,
- Pay $75 maximum per test skill test fee.
This charge is for one test only; retests will cost up to an additional $75. These fees are in addition to any fees for your basic driver license.
What is a CDIP?
A Commercial Driver Instruction Permit (CDIP) allows the holder to drive a commercial motor vehicle on a highway only when accompanied by the holder of a
- Commercial driver license,
- Valid for the type of vehicle driven, who occupies a seat beside the individual, for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle.
The CDIP is valid for six months and may be renewed one time only.
Washington DMV Permit Test Fact Sheet:
| Number of questions |
: |
25 |
| Answer correctly to pass |
: |
21 |
| Passing score |
: |
84% |
First Time Motorcycle Riders
Anyone who drives a motorcycle must have a Class M motorcycle license or motorcycle instruction permit, under Washington DMV guidelines.
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age, pass the motorcycle knowledge test, a sign test and a vision screening. The final step is to pass the motorcycle skills test where you will demonstrate your competency in motorcycle operation.
Washington will waive your knowledge and skills test and issue you a license if you complete an approved basic motorcycle rider safety course within 180 days of applying for your motorcycle endorsement. This course last from two to six weeks and includes,
- Classroom instruction as well as
- Driver training in a controlled,off-street environment.
When you successfully complete the course, you will be eligible for your motorcycle driver's license
Prepare for the Motorcycle License Written Test
The Washington DMV requires that all applicants should pass
- A written exam on traffic signs,
- Motor vehicle laws, and
- Safe driving techniques.
If you fail the exam, you have to wait at least until the next day to take the test again and with the charge for re-examination fee.
Required Paperwork
Before you leave to the Washington DMV Office, make sure you have the required documents to get your motorcycle license; like
- Birth certificate issued in any state,
- Drivers license or instruction permit issued in another state,
- U.S. passport,
- U.S. military ID card i.e. like active duty, retired, or reserve,
- Colorado ID card,
- Social Security Number, if issued,
- Documents from a court of record,
- Marriage certificate.
On the Road
When your licensing requirements have been met, a Class M endorsement will be added to your driver's license. The safe operation of a motorcycle requires
- Practiced skill,
- Knowledge,
- A respectful understanding of the limitations imposed by the operator,
- The machine, and
- The environment.
Washington DMV Permit Test Fact Sheet:
| Number of questions |
: |
25 |
| Answer correctly to pass |
: |
21 |
| Passing score |
: |
84% |
Washington is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Washington was carved out of the western part of Washington Territory and admitted to the Union as the 42nd state in 1889. In 2006, the Census Bureau estimated the state's population at 6,395,798.
The state is named after George Washington, the first President of the United States. Residents are called "Washingtonians" (emphasis on the third syllable, pronounced as tone). Washington is often called Washington state or the State of Washington to distinguish it from the District of Columbia (which is usually called Washington, D.C.).
Washington has a system of state highways, called State Routes, as well as an extensive ferry system which is the largest in the nation as well as the third largest in the world. There are 140 public airfields in Washington, including 16 state airports owned by the Washington State Department of Transportation. Boeing Field in Seattle is one of the busiest primary non-hub airports in the US. The unique geography of Washington presents exceptional transportation needs.
There are extensive waterways in the midst of Washington's largest cites, including Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma and Olympia. The state highways incorporate an extensive network of bridges and the largest ferry system in the United States to serve transportation needs in the Puget Sound area. Washington's marine highway constitutes a fleet of twenty-eight ferries that navigate Puget Sound and its inland waterways to 20 different ports of call. Washington is home to four of the five longest floating bridges in the world: the Evergreen Point Floating Bridge, Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge and Homer M. Hadley Bridge over Lake Washington, and the Hood Canal Bridge which connects the Olympic Peninsula and Kitsap Peninsula.
The Cascade Mountain Range also provides unique transportation challenges. Washington operates and maintains roads over seven major mountain passes and eight minor passes. During winter months some of these passes are plowed, sanded, and kept safe with avalanche control. Not all are able to stay open through the winter. The North Cascades Highway on State Route 20 closes every year. This is because of the extraordinary amount of snowfall and frequency of avalanches, leading to it not being safe in the winter months.
It is recored that in Washington that transportation, including automobiles, planes, trains and ships is the cause of 45 percent of greenhouse gas emissions.