TACOMA WASHINGTON

Tacoma Washington Online Driver Education and Tacoma Washington Licensing Procedures

The process of applying for your Tacoma Washington learner's permit or first Tacoma Washington driver's license can be nerve-racking, but it doesn't have to be if you have the right information. We want you to get as much out of this experience as possible, and have designed this guide to help guide you through the process. Tacoma Washington has a Graduated Driver License Program for Tacoma Washington teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your first Tacoma Washington driver’s license goes as smoothly as possible. So let’s jump right in.

The Tacoma Washington Learner’s Permit or Tacoma Washington Instruction Permit

If you enroll in a Tacoma Washington approved driver education course (see the note at the bottom of this guide about online providers), you can apply for a Tacoma Washington Instruction permit when you turn 15. However, you must apply for the permit no more than 10 days before the class starts.

When you turn 15 and a half, you can also apply for a Tacoma Washington Instruction Permit. Either way, in order to apply you’ll need:

• If 15, your application must be signed by your driving school instructor
• Tacoma Washington Instruction Permit fee $20
• A completed Parental Authorization Affidavit
• Proof of residence and identity
• Pick up the Washing Driver Guide to study for the written test

Once all of this is in place, make an appointment, then head on down to your local Tacoma Washington Driver License Office with your parent or guardian and submit your application. Then, you’ll have to take a vision test. If you’re not enrolled in a Tacoma Washington approved driver education course, you’ll also have to pass a knowledge test. You've accomplished the first step--you know have a Tacoma Washington Instruction Permit, which is valid for 1 year and may be renewed once.

Remember, you must practice driving with your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or licensed driver who has at least 5 years experience. Of course, all passengers must wear seatbelts, and be sure to carry your Tacoma Washington Learner’s Permit with you at all times.

Once you’ve held your Tacoma Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months without incident and have met a few more requirements, you’ll graduate to the next step in the Tacoma Washington Graduated License Program, the Tacoma Washington Intermediate Driver License.

The Tacoma Washington Intermediate Driver License or Tacoma Washington Provisional License

You can apply for your Tacoma Washington Intermediate Driver’s License once you’ve held your Tacoma Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months in good standing. However, you’ll also need to satisfy the following requirements:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Pass a Tacoma Washington approved traffic safety course
• Hold a Tacoma Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months
• Practice driving for at least 50 hours with a licensed driver with 5 years experience
• At least 10 hours must be at night
• Record your driving practice in the Intermediate License logbook
• Your parents and read the Tacoma Washington Parent Guide to Teen Driving or Safe-Driving Agreement to help out
• And finally, drive without Tacoma Washington traffic violations or alcohol or drug convictions

All set? Then, make an appointment and head on down to your local Tacoma Washington Driver License Office again. Remember to bring your parent/guardian, your traffic safety certificate, your identification documents, and your Parental Authorization Affidavit. Now you’ll have to take the dreaded Tacoma Washington road test! If you pass, then give yourself a reward: you’ve just earned your Tacoma Washington Intermediate Driver’s License! Now you're just a few more months of good behavior away from getting your full license.

Tacoma Washington Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

There are still a few restrictions you’ll have to keep in mind now that you have your Tacoma Washington Intermediate Driver’s License:

• All passengers and the driver must wear seat belts
• For the first 6 months, no passengers under 20 unless they are family members 
• For the second 6 months, no more than 3 passengers under 20 except for family members 
• For the first 12 months, no driving between 1AM and 5AM unless with a driver 25 or older (or if you drive for agricultural purposes)
• And finally, no cell phones while driving (that includes hands-free devices)

Upon your first violation of these restrictions, you’ll receive a warning letter. For your second violation, your Tacoma Washington Intermediate Driver license will be suspended for 6 months (or until you turn 18, whichever comes first). Upon your third violation, your Tacoma Washington License will be suspended until you turn 18. If these seems strict, just remember that once you turn 18, these restrictions will be removed. And then, freedom!

Tacoma Washington Drunk Driving Laws

As a Tacoma Washington teen driver, you'll face no bigger threat than the one posed by drunk drivers. it’s important for you to learn the Tacoma Washington drunk driving laws and follow them religiously. Like most states, Tacoma Washington has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Tacoma Washington DUI or Tacoma Washington DWI, your Tacoma Washington Learner Permit or Tacoma Washington Driver’s License will be suspended.

In general, upon your first conviction of a Tacoma Washington DUI of .08, you’ll also face the following penalties:

• Tacoma Washington License Suspension 90 days
• Jail 24 hours to 1 year or Electronic Home Monitoring 15 days
• Fine $865.50 to $5,000

For a Blood Alcohol Content of .15 or above, you’ll face the following penalties:

• Jail 2 days to 2 years or Electronic Home Monitoring 30 days
• Fine $1,120.50 to $5,000
• Tacoma Washington License Suspension 1 year
• Ignition Interlock Device installation
• Possible Alcohol/Drug Education class

And of course, further Tacoma Washington DWI and DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Tacoma Washington license suspension or even Tacoma Washington license revocation. There's no bigger abuse of the privilege of driving than getting behind the wheel drunk, and the State of Tacoma Washington takes it very seriously.

• $25,000 bodily injury for one person
• $50,000 bodily injury two or more people
• $10,000 for property damage per accident

If you are in an accident and found to be driving without Tacoma Washington mandatory liability insurance, your Tacoma Washington Learner Permit or Tacoma Washington Driver’s License could be suspended.  

Cell Phone and Text Messaging Laws

Currently, Tacoma Washington teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving, even with hands-free devices! And at any age, frequent cell phone use while driving can be risky, so keep it to a minimum!

Tacoma Washington Online Driver Education

Tacoma Washington teen drivers can receive their Tacoma Washington Learner’s Permit if they enroll in a Tacoma Washington approved driver education class. More information about approved Tacoma Washington online driver education can be found on the Tacoma Washington Department of Motor Vehicle website.