Washington - How to Obtain a Driving Instruction permit

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Procedure

1. You may pre-apply online to save you some time when you go to the driver licensing office for the processing of your application.
2. When you go to the driver licensing office do not forget to bring your proof of identity.
   If youre under 18, your parents must also provide their proof of identity and relationship to you. Applicants will also need to be accompanied by a parent when they go to the licensing office to sign the parental authorization form. If you cant bring a parent, have them fill out the Parental Authorization Affidavit form and have it notarized. You must bring the notarized form with you to the office.
   For those who are 18 or over and dont have a Social Security number, bring proof of Washington residence.
3. When you apply, you must pass a vision screening.
4. If youre enrolled in a WA state drivers education class, school will send a waiver to the Department of Licensing so you can apply for an instruction permit without taking the knowledge test. Knowledge test waivers are sent electronically, so the DOL should have it on file when you come to their office to get your permit.
5. If you dont have a waiver, visit a training and testing location to pass the knowledge test. Note: Additional fees apply.
6. To get your permit youll need to have your photo taken and pay the application fee.

Getting a license

• If youre under 18, you will need to hold on to your instruction permit for at least 6 months before you get your license. If you got your instruction permit in another state, the time you had your permit in that state counts toward this 6-month requirement.
• If youre 18 or older, you may apply at any time. An instruction permit is only required to practice driving.

Renewing your permit

Your instruction permit is valid for 1 year.

You may renew your permit by visiting a driver licensing office.

If youve already renewed your permit once, DOL may issue you a 3rd permit under certain circumstances. To request another renewal for your permit, visit a driver licensing office and ask to speak to a supervisor. They will ask you what steps youre taking to ensure youll get a driver license if they issue you a 3rd permit. After you tell them what youre doing to get a license, the supervisor will decide whether to issue you a new permit.

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Required Documents

• Proof of Washington Residence
• Proof of identity.
• Evidence of Social Security number. If you don't have one, youll need to show proof of Washington residence.

Proof of Washington Residence

For applicants who do not have a Social Security number, bring as many of the following documents as possible to be reviewed as proof of your Washington residence address:

• Home utility bill (gas, electric, water, garbage, land-line telephone, or ISTA. etc):
  • Not acceptable: Cable, internet or satellite TV bills.
• A college or university document that has your current residential address on file.
  • Off-campus students: Bring the printout from the SEVIS database which:
    • States the address where you currently live.
    • Proof it was printed by the Designated School Official or Responsible Officer.
• Selective Service card with your current residential address.
• Vehicle title (not a Quick Title with a tamper proof tape over the VIN and Title number).
• Bank-issued documents that include your name and current residential address (or your previous address if youve recently moved). Examples:
  • Account statement
  • Credit card statement
  • Mortgage statement

Notes:

• Your documents must include your name and current Washington residential address.
• If you recently moved to a new address, bring both your current and previous documents to prove you were living in Washington.
• Documents other than the ones listed above may be taken into consideration if they show you reside in Washington.
• Its illegal to present fraudulent documents. If the Licensing Office find that your documents are fraudulent, you wont be able to reapply for 364 days.

Proof of identity:

• For those under 18 years old: Documents you may present
• For those 1825 years old:Documents you may present
• For those over 25 years old:Documents you may present
• For those aged 18 or older and have been assigned court guardians:Documents you may present
• For those enrolled in Job Corps:Documents you may present

Documents that will be accepted:

• Original or certified copies of the documents listed below.
• Multiple documents issued by a foreign government or organization, must be approved by the Licensing Office and will be accepted as separate documents. Currently accepted multiple documents are those issued by the:
  • Mexican government
  • Guatemalan government

Notes:

• The Licensing office may ask for more documents.
• The list may change without notice.

Stand-alone Documents:

• Washington State driver license, ID card, or instruction permit Valid or has expired within 1 year, has your signature, date of birth and photo.
• Out-of-state driver license, ID card, or instruction permit (if you have a Social Security number) Valid or expired within 60 days and has your photo. Give the Licensing Office your Social Security number so they can verify it.
• U.S. armed services ID card with photo Valid.
• U.S. passport Valid, has your signature and photo (an emergency passport isnt acceptable).
• Immigration ID with signature Valid, from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, with:
  • Your signature and photo which are identifiable (I-327, I-551, I-571, I-766). or
  • A Signature Waived notation or encrypted signature on the back of the card.
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization An original with your signature and photo.
• Department of Social and Health Services Childrens Administration (DSHS CA) ID letter If you're in:
  • Court-ordered foster care with DSHS, or
  • Another supervising Washington agency as your legal custodian, then
  • You may prove your identity with an ID letter from DSHS CA.

A-List Documents:

• Out-of-state driver license, ID card or instruction permit (if you dont have a Social Security number) Valid or has expired within 60 days and has your photo.
• Driver license from a foreign country Valid or has expired within 60 days, has security features and is verifiable.
• Federal or state employee ID card Valid, shows your signature and photo.
• Foreign passport Valid and stamped U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) entry form I-94/I94W or Temporary I-551 ADIT stamp.
• Tribal enrollment ID card Must be federally-recognized Indian tribal enrollment card, or U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs ID card (Must have your signature and photo).
• Original U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization Where your signature and photo arent identifiable.
• Verification letter If youre on work release, or supervised by an agency that we have an agreement with, you may provide a verification letter from that agency. DOL currently have agreements with:
  • Washington State Department of Corrections electronic version only.
  • U.S. Federal correction authorities (FDOC).
  • Department of Social and Health Services Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (DSHS JRA) electronic version only.
  • DSHS Childrens Administration (CA) for foster youth only.
  • Western State Hospital (WSH).
• Washington city or county police employee ID card Valid, has your signature and photo.
• U.S. Passport card has your name and photo.

B-List Documents:

Documents that establish your name and date of birth

• Certified birth certificate. (Puerto Rico birth certificates must have an issue date of July 1, 2010 or later to be accepted.)
• Certified Washington birth registration card.
• A valid concealed weapons permit issued by a Washington county.
• Consular report of birth abroad.
• Court-issued adoption papers.
• Military DD 214.
• U.S. driver license, photo instruction permit, or ID card (invalidated or expired within the past 5 years).
• U.S. passport (expired within the past 5 years).
• Valid U.S. visa.
• Veteran Administration ID with your name, photo, and date of birth.
• Ward of the Court decree/Order of Dependency.
• Washington State driver license, photo instruction per

Eligibility

• If youre enrolled in a drivers education class and 15 years old then you're eligible to get an instruction permit.
• If you arent enrolled in a drivers education class, you can get a permit when youre 15 or older, if you pass the knowledge test.

Instructions

The Age requirement to obtain an instruction permit depends on whether youre taking a WA state drivers education course.

• If youre enrolled in a WA state drivers education class: 15 years old

You must apply for your instruction permit 10 days or less before the class starts.

Your school will send a waiver to the Department of Licensing so you can apply for an instruction permit without taking the knowledge test. Knowledge test waivers are sent electronically, so the DOL should have it on file when you come to their office to get your permit.

• If youre not enrolled in a drivers education class: 15 or older

Youll need to pass the knowledge test before you can get your instruction permit.

Required Information

• Full Name
• Permanent Residential Address
• Date of Birth
• Age
• Social Security Number

Need for the Document

To legally practice driving before taking your driver license test, you must have an instruction permit.

Following are procedures on how you can obtain a driving instruction permit in Washington.