Law Enforcement and License Rules

Getting Pulled Over

A police vehicle signals you to stop with flashing lights or a siren. When you are pulled over:

• Signal and pull to the right side as soon as it is safe.
• Turn off the engine and any audio.
• Stay in the vehicle unless the officer tells you to get out.
• At night turn on the interior lights; the officer may also use a spotlight.
• Keep your hands on the steering wheel.
• Follow every instruction the officer gives you and your passengers.

The officer may approach from either side. When they do:

• Lower the window on that side.
• Tell the officer right away if there is a weapon in the vehicle.
• Wait for instructions before reaching for your license or documents, and say where they are before you reach.

The officer will normally explain why you were stopped, ask for your driver license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration, and tell you what action they are taking: a warning, a ticket or an arrest. If they do not explain, you may ask.

You may ask questions respectfully. If you disagree with the officer's decision, do not argue at the roadside and prolong the stop; you can contest it in court. If you believe the officer acted improperly, contact their agency and ask for a supervisor as soon as possible.

Tickets and Losing Your License

Getting a ticket: you are required to sign for it. Signing is not an admission of guilt, only acknowledgment of receipt; refusing to sign can get you arrested. Follow the instructions on the back within 15 days (pay, request mitigation or ask for a hearing) or your driving privilege will be suspended. Driving while suspended can cost you your vehicle and lead to arrest.

You can lose your license for, among other things:

• Violating intermediate license restrictions
• Being a minor in possession of alcohol, drugs or firearms
• Accumulating moving violations, or leaving tickets unresolved
• Driving while suspended or revoked
• Running from law enforcement
• Driving under the influence
• Racing or reckless driving
• Endangering a construction or emergency worker
• Vehicular assault, vehicular homicide or hit and run
• A felony involving a motor vehicle
• Driving without insurance
• Failing a competency evaluation

Alcohol, drug and firearm offenses: a minor with such an offense may have their license delayed until age 17. To get a license back you must retake the knowledge and skills exams and pay a reissue fee; under 18, a parent or guardian must also consent.

Early warning letters: drivers 18 to 21 receive a letter from DOL after their first moving violation. A young driver's chance of crashing doubles after the first violation.

Traffic laws change: the current rules of the road are in RCW 46.61. For as long as you drive, keeping up with them is your responsibility.

Instruction Permits and Intermediate Licenses

Instruction permit

• If you enroll in a driver training course you may apply at 15.
• Without a course, you may take the knowledge exam at 15½ and get a permit, but you must wait until 18 to take the skills exam and get a license.
• The permit is valid for 1 year and can be renewed for a fee. A knowledge exam score is valid for only 2 years; wait too long and you retest.
• Driving on a permit requires a licensed adult in the front seat: with 3 or more years of experience for 16 to 17 year olds, 5 or more for applicants 18 and over.

First license at 16 to 17 requires that you:

• Hold the permit for at least 6 months.
• Complete a traffic safety course at an approved driver training school (an out-of-state course needs at least 30 classroom hours and 6 behind the wheel).
• Pass the knowledge and skills exams.
• Log at least 40 hours of daytime and 10 hours of night driving with a licensed driver, attested by a parent or guardian.
• Have no traffic violations in the 6 months before applying and no alcohol or drug offenses while on the permit.
• Have a parent or guardian sign the authorization form in person.

At 18 or over there are four paths: transfer an out-of-state license; pass the knowledge and skills exams; pass the knowledge exam, get a permit, practice, then pass the skills exam; or get an exam waiver for a permit, take a driver training course, then pass both exams.

Intermediate driver license: the first license a 16 or 17 year old receives carries restrictions.

• First 6 months: no passengers under 20 except immediate family; no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driver at least 25.
• From 6 months until age 18 or 1 year: no more than 3 passengers under 20 except immediate family.
• Night restrictions end after 1 year of safe driving, and driving for agricultural purposes is allowed at any hour with passengers.
• Intermediate license holders may not use a phone or any wireless device, even hands-free, except to report an emergency.
• Violations or at-fault crashes: 1st, restrictions continue until 18; 2nd, suspension for 6 months or until 18; 3rd, suspension until 18.
• At 18 the restrictions lift automatically; no new card is needed.

The knowledge exam: 40 questions, and 32 correct (80%) passes. You must pass it before the skills exam, and then have 2 years to complete the skills exam.

Insurance and Registration

Insurance is mandatory: Washington requires liability insurance and proof of it on you or in the vehicle. Minimum coverage:

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person in a crash
• $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people in one crash
• $10,000 for damage to others' property in one crash

Driving uninsured brings a fine, and after a crash it can mean suspension and personal liability for all damages.

Three things to carry: driver license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. An officer will ask for all three at a stop.

Title and registration: after buying a vehicle you must get the certificate of ownership (title) and register it, renew on time and keep the address current. File a report of sale when you sell, or the new owner's tickets and crashes may land on you.

New residents: you have 30 days after moving to Washington to get a Washington license. Most valid out-of-state licenses transfer directly; an expired one requires passing the knowledge and skills exams again.

Change of address or name: update your license promptly, which can be done online. You can register to vote and as an organ donor at the same time.

Not wearing a seat belt or not using a child restraint is a primary offense: an officer can stop and ticket you for it alone.