Teen Driving Laws

    Permit age, required supervised hours, and intermediate license restrictions for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

    How Graduated Driver Licensing Works

    Stage 1

    Learner's Permit

    The first stage permits a new driver to operate a vehicle only while accompanied by a licensed adult supervisor. Most states require the permit to be held for a minimum period and require a stated number of supervised practice hours, part of which may need to be completed at night, before the applicant may advance to the next stage.

    Stage 2

    Intermediate License

    The second stage permits unsupervised driving under defined conditions. Holders are ordinarily prohibited from driving during specified nighttime hours and are limited in the number or age of passengers they may carry. These restrictions remain in effect until the driver reaches a stated age or has held the license for a stated period.

    Stage 3

    Full License

    The final stage removes the nighttime and passenger restrictions imposed during the intermediate stage. A driver who satisfies the conditions for removal holds full driving privileges, subject to the same traffic laws that govern all licensed drivers. Certain states continue to apply specific provisions, such as mobile device prohibitions, to drivers under a stated age.

    Select Your State

    Choose a jurisdiction to view its permit, supervised driving, and intermediate license requirements.

    Washington

    Minimum permit age

    15

    Holding period: 6 months

    Required supervised driving hours

    50 hours, 10 of them at night

    Minimum age for unsupervised driving

    16

    Nighttime operationSecondary

    1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

    Conditions for removal: Licensed 12 months or age 18, whichever comes first (minimum age 17)

    Passenger limitationsSecondary

    First 6 months: no passengers under 20. Second 6 months: no more than three passengers under 20

    Conditions for removal: Licensed 12 months or age 18, whichever comes first (minimum age 17)

    A restriction designated Secondary may not serve as the sole basis for a traffic stop. It may, however, be cited in conjunction with another violation.

    Additional provisions

    • Permit applicants must be enrolled in driver education; otherwise the minimum permit age is 15 years 6 months.
    • Driver education is required under 18, and the state is phasing in a requirement extending to applicants under 25.
    • An intermediate license holder with a crash or violation on record stays restricted until 18.

    Washington requires 50 hours of supervised driving.

    Drivvy records each drive automatically, with day and night hours tracked separately against Washington's requirement, and exports a log your licensing agency will accept.

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    Frequently asked questions

    What is the minimum age for a learner's permit in Washington?
    The minimum age for a learner's permit in Washington is 15. The permit must be held for 6 months.
    How many supervised driving hours does Washington require?
    Washington requires 50 hours, 10 of them at night.
    What restrictions apply to intermediate license holders in Washington?
    Nighttime operation: 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.. Conditions for removal: Licensed 12 months or age 18, whichever comes first (minimum age 17). Passenger limitations: First 6 months: no passengers under 20. Second 6 months: no more than three passengers under 20. Conditions for removal: Licensed 12 months or age 18, whichever comes first (minimum age 17).

    Complete index of jurisdictions

    About this information

    Requirements are compiled from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's graduated licensing laws table, current as of October 2026, and restructured by Drivvy.

    Last reviewed October 19, 2026.

    This material is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Licensing requirements are subject to amendment, and certain provisions vary according to the applicant's age, driver education status, or locality. Readers are advised to verify the requirements then in force with the relevant state licensing agency before relying upon any statement made here.

    Source: https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/teenagers/graduated-licensing-laws-table