Parents of soon-to-be teen drivers, take heart. You have an ally in keeping your children safe: your state's graduated licensing laws. Nearly all states impose graduated-licensing restrictions on young teen drivers, with impressive results. Since the early 2000s, the number of 15-to-20-year-olds involved in fatal crashes has been cut by almost half nationwide. And 16-year-olds receive three times fewer tickets under graduated licensing than drivers who wait until 18 (with no restrictions) to begin driving.
Graduated licensing progressively increases freedom for drivers under 18 as they continue to develop the attention, judgment, perception and decision-making skills needed to drive safely. The process starts with a learner's permit that allows teens as young as 15 to enroll in driver's education and begin gaining practice on the road.
When they pass state tests, teens can earn an "intermediate" or "provisional" driver's license at age 16. It restricts teen passengers, night driving and wireless device use. When teens turn 18, the last of the restrictions (wireless use) is removed, giving them full driving privileges.
Graduated licensing steps differ slightly between Washington and Oregon. Click your state for a summary.
A WORRY-LESS TIP
Obeying graduated licensing laws is a meaningful way families in our communities can worry less and live more.
But you can take it a step further: Use your state's requirements as a starting point for teens, and enforce your own graduated driving "house rules." That can include an activity-based curfew, determined by what your teen is doing. Going to a movie that ends at 9:30 p.m.? Be home by 10 p.m. A dance that ends at 10 p.m.? Be home by 11 p.m. Common sense restrictions like that seem fair to teens and eliminate aimless driving. For more ideas, see A parent-teen driving agreement you both can live with.
A teen’s journey from passenger to driver in Washington
How to get it
Be at least 15.
Be able to show proof of enrollment in a
driver’s ed program within 1-10 days of the start of class. Or, if 15½ and not in driver’s ed, pass the state’s
knowledge test.
Allows you to drive
… in Washington with a licensed driver (with at least five years’ driving experience) in the front passenger seat. The permit may not be valid in other states.
How to get it
Be at least 16.
Have a learner’s permit for at least six months, with no traffic violations in the past six months and no convictions for a drug or alcohol offense while holding the learner’s permit.
Log at least 50 hours (including 10 hours at night) of behind-the-wheel practice with driver who has been licensed for at least five years.
Allows you to drive
… for the first six months with no teen passengers except immediate family.
… for the next six months with no more than three teen passengers (except family).
… for the first year at all hours except between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 25.
… until 18, with no wireless device use, even hands-free.
Violations and accidents will result in extended restrictions or, for repeated violations, license suspension up to age 18.
Full license
How to get it
Simply turn 18. The intermediate license automatically is considered a full-privilege license. No need to get a new one.
Allows you to drive
… at 18, without the intermediate license restrictions listed above.
A teen’s journey from passenger to driver in Oregon
How to get it
Be at least 15.
Allows you to drive
… with a licensed driver at least 21 years old (with at least three years’ driving experience) in the front passenger seat. The permit may not be valid in other states.
How to get it
Be at least 16.
Have a learner’s permit for at least six months.
Successfully complete an ODOT-approved
driver’s ed program plus 50 hours of supervised driving practice
OR 100 practice hours without driver’s ed.
Pass a
drive test
OR present a hard plastic Driver Education Certificate of Completion (issued by the State of Oregon, Transportation Safety Division) to have the drive test waived.
Allows you to drive
… for the first six months with no teen passengers except immediate family.
… for the next six months with no more than three teen passengers (except family).
… for the first year at all hours except between midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 25 (some work and school exceptions apply).
… until 18, with no wireless device use, even hands-free.
Full license
How to get it
Simply turn 18. The provisional license is automatically considered a full-privilege license. No need to get a new one.
Allows you to drive
… at 18, without the provisional license restrictions listed above.