PORT TOWNSEND WASHINGTON

Port Townsend Washington Online Driver Education and Port Townsend Washington Licensing Procedures

The process of applying for your Port Townsend Washington learner's permit or first Port Townsend 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. Port Townsend Washington has a Graduated Driver License Program for Port Townsend Washington teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your first Port Townsend Washington driver’s license goes as smoothly as possible. So let’s jump right in.

The Port Townsend Washington Learner’s Permit or Port Townsend Washington Instruction Permit

If you enroll in a Port Townsend Washington approved driver education course (see the note at the bottom of this guide about online providers), you can apply for a Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend Washington Instruction Permit. Either way, in order to apply you’ll need:

• If 15, your application must be signed by your driving school instructor
• Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend Washington approved driver education course, you’ll also have to pass a knowledge test. You've accomplished the first step--you know have a Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend Washington Learner’s Permit with you at all times.

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

The Port Townsend Washington Intermediate Driver License or Port Townsend Washington Provisional License

You can apply for your Port Townsend Washington Intermediate Driver’s License once you’ve held your Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend Washington approved traffic safety course
• Hold a Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend Washington Parent Guide to Teen Driving or Safe-Driving Agreement to help out
• And finally, drive without Port Townsend Washington traffic violations or alcohol or drug convictions

All set? Then, make an appointment and head on down to your local Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend Washington road test! If you pass, then give yourself a reward: you’ve just earned your Port Townsend Washington Intermediate Driver’s License! Now you're just a few more months of good behavior away from getting your full license.

Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend Washington Intermediate Driver license will be suspended for 6 months (or until you turn 18, whichever comes first). Upon your third violation, your Port Townsend 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!

Port Townsend Washington Drunk Driving Laws

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

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

• Port Townsend 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
• Port Townsend Washington License Suspension 1 year
• Ignition Interlock Device installation
• Possible Alcohol/Drug Education class

And of course, further Port Townsend Washington DWI and DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Port Townsend Washington license suspension or even Port Townsend Washington license revocation. There's no bigger abuse of the privilege of driving than getting behind the wheel drunk, and the State of Port Townsend 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 Port Townsend Washington mandatory liability insurance, your Port Townsend Washington Learner Permit or Port Townsend Washington Driver’s License could be suspended.  

Cell Phone and Text Messaging Laws

Currently, Port Townsend 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!

Port Townsend Washington Online Driver Education

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