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Other Issues > Drivers Education

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-WORKING MINORS
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-DRIVERS EDUCATION
-TRUANCY
-DAY TIME CURFEWS

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Teenage Drivers Information

Updated January 2007

Washington State Department of Licensing has a great page on obtaining a drivers license

http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/steps.html

Some basic information:

I. An instruction permit allows a youth to practice driving before taking the driving test to obtain their license.

If enrolled in a driver’s education class a student can get their permit at age 15. If not enrolled they must wait until 15 1/2 and pass the written test given by the department of licensing.

For more information http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/getpermit.html

II. Steps to get an intermediate drivers license if under 18 years old.

Must be 16 years of age

Pass a traffic safety education course

Have had an instruction permit for at least 6 months

Have had at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice with someone who has been licensed for 5 years or more, including 10 hours at night.

Not have had any traffic violations within 6 months of applying for a license

Not have been convicted of any alcohol or drug offense while holding a permit.

For more information http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/teens.html

Q. What is an intermediate license?

In 2000 the state legislature enacted new laws to restrict the driving of youth under the age of 18 years old and implemented the “intermediate drivers license” program. To get an intermediate license you must:

Be at least 16 years of age

Hold an instruction permit at least 6 months

Complete driver education

Drive at least 50 hours, 10 of them at night, while supervised

Pass a driving test

After getting an intermediate license you may:

First 6 months – not carry passengers younger than 20 other than immediate family

After 6 months – not carry more than 3 passengers younger than 20 other than immediate family

Not drive between 1 am and 5 am unless supervised

Restrictions end:

After 1 year or 18, whichever comes first

These laws may be changes this legislative session due to a study conducted by the Joint Transportation Legislative Committee dated January 2007

http://www.leg.wa.gov/documents/LTC/jtc/Teenage%20Driving%20Study%201-%2010%20-07.pdf

III. What are traffic safety education courses required to provide?

Programs must include the following:

30 hours of classroom instruction, with a maximum of 2 hours per day.

Minimum of 4 hours of behind-the-wheel training, with a maximum of 1 hour per day.

Minimum of 1 hour of behind-the-wheel observation

Total of 50 hours of mandatory out-of-class practice time, including ten hours of nighttime driving.

Curriculum requirements http://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/521014.pdf

Drivers training programs are taught by commercial driving schools and at some public schools for a fee, fees range from $300-$600.

Q. Can a parent buy a commercial curriculum and teach their child drivers education?

Yes, but under current law this will not count towards the requirement to pass a traffic safety education course.

CHN introduced a bill in the 2007 and 2008 legislative session to change this law to allow for parent taught drivers education. Unfortunately it has not passed yet but we will keep trying. Here is a great article explaining this option.

http://www.hslda.org/docs/nche/Issues/P/Parent_Taught_Drivers_Ed.asp

The web site for National Driver Training has more information on parent taught drivers education http://www.usdrivertraining.com/

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