Washington supervised driving: 50 hours, 10 at night.

Everything a Washington parent needs in one place — supervised-practice guidance, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps practice organized.

What Washington actually requires

Requirements summarized from the official Washington driver handbook.

The Washington graduated licensing path

  1. Instruction permit — from age 15

    Requirements: Enroll in driver education (15) or be 15.5+ and pass the knowledge test. Log 50 supervised hours, including 10 at night.

    Restrictions: A licensed driver 21+ with 5 years experience must be in the front seat. No cell phone use.

  2. Intermediate license — from age 16

    Requirements: Hold the permit 6 months, complete driver education and 50 logged hours, and pass the driving test.

    Restrictions: First 6 months: no passengers under 20 except family. Next 6 months: no more than three. No driving 1 a.m.-5 a.m.

  3. Full license — from age 18

    Requirements: Intermediate restrictions end at 18 or after one violation-free year at 17.

    Restrictions: None specific to age.

Washington laws your teen will be tested on

Washington: everyone buckles up

In Washington the belt law covers every seat, not just the front. Every person in a moving vehicle must be belted or in an approved child restraint, and children stay in a car or booster seat until the adult lap and shoulder belt fits properly — usually between ages 8 and 12.

Washington speed limits

Posted limits assume ideal conditions — you can still be ticketed for driving too fast for the road even when you are under the sign. School zones drop to 20 mph, and in an emergency zone you must slow to at least 10 mph below the limit and never exceed 50 mph.

Washington: impairment and phones

Washington uses 0.08% BAC for adults, but drivers under 21 face the same consequences at just 0.02%. THC counts too. Intermediate license holders may not use a phone at all while driving — even hands-free — except to report an emergency.

Washington School Bus & Pedestrian Rules

Stop for a school bus traveling in your direction when its red lights flash and stop sign is extended; do not pass using a center turn lane, and proceed only after the lights stop, the sign retracts, and the metal arm returns to the front bumper. Treat every intersection as a crosswalk and stop and yield to pedestrians in it.

Washington Move Over & Emergency Scenes

When you see a roadside response vehicle with flashing lights, move into a farther lane or slow down to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit. Never drive faster than 50 mph in an emergency zone.

Washington Right-of-Way Rules

At a four-way stop, vehicles go in arrival order; if two arrive at approximately the same time, yield to the vehicle on the right, and left-turning vehicles must yield to traffic going straight or turning right. At uncontrolled intersections and roundabouts, yield to vehicles already in the intersection or roundabout.

A real Washington practice question

What is true about the Washington number assigned to a license or permit?

Every Washington license and permit has an assigned Washington number that is specific to its holder.

Washington driving practice questions, answered

How many supervised driving hours does Washington require?
Washington requires 50 supervised driving hours, including 10 at night.
Does Washington require night driving hours?
Yes — 10 of the supervised hours must be at night. The NextDriver log splits minutes into day and night using 1 a.m.–5 a.m. local time. Check Washington's own definition of night driving.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Washington?
A Washington learner's permit can be issued starting at age 15.
How many questions are on the Washington written test?
The Washington knowledge exam has 40 questions; you need 32 correct (80%) to pass.
Does NextDriver Prep have Washington practice questions?
Yes — 8 practice questions written from the official Washington driver handbook, with explanations for every answer.
How should we track supervised driving?
Log each drive the same day it happens. NextDriver Prep's free log records date, duration, day/night split, and conditions, and totals progress toward Washington's supervised-practice requirement.
Is the Washington driving log free?
Yes. The supervised driving log is free forever, with no card required. The Family Plan adds lessons, coaching scripts, hazard training, and Kai the AI co-pilot.
Does NextDriver Prep submit our log to the state?
No. NextDriver Prep helps your family track and organize practice. The Washington licensing agency decides permit and license eligibility.
What restrictions apply during the Instruction permit stage in Washington?
A licensed driver 21+ with 5 years experience must be in the front seat. No cell phone use.
What restrictions apply during the Intermediate license stage in Washington?
First 6 months: no passengers under 20 except family. Next 6 months: no more than three. No driving 1 a.m.-5 a.m.
What restrictions apply during the Full license stage in Washington?
None specific to age.

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