Washington DOL Permit Test 2026

Who Can Get a Learner's Permit

Washington issues learner's permits (officially called “instruction permits”) starting at age 15 — but only if you are enrolled in a state-approved driver training course. If you are not enrolled in driver training, the minimum age is 15 and a half.

If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must provide consent for your application. If applying online, the parent can give permission through the DOL's online system. If applying in person, the parent must either accompany you or complete a notarized Parental Authorization Affidavit. If no parent or guardian is available, another responsible adult over 21 (such as a relative, teacher, or social worker) may provide consent.

Residency: You must be a Washington state resident. You'll need to provide proof of your Washington address when you visit the DOL office. If you're moving to Washington from another state, you are expected to transfer your license within 30 days of establishing residency.

Teens under 18: You must complete a state-approved driver training course that includes 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor. Washington does not accept online or parent-taught driver education — it must be through a state-approved school.

Online Pre-Application

Before visiting a DOL office in person, you should pre-apply online. The pre-application process creates your Washington Driver License (WDL) number, which you'll need to schedule a knowledge test appointment or complete your visit at the office.

The online pre-application asks for your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and Washington address. If you're under 18, your parent or guardian will need to complete the consent portion of the application.

Enhanced Driver License (EDL): Washington offers an Enhanced Driver License that serves as an alternative to a passport for land and sea border crossings to Canada and Mexico. It costs more than a standard license and requires proof of U.S. citizenship. If you want an EDL, you'll indicate this during the application process. Washington does not issue Real ID — the EDL serves as the federally compliant alternative.

After completing the pre-application, save your WDL number. You'll use it when scheduling your test appointment and when checking in at the DOL office.

Fees and What You Pay For

The instruction permit application fee depends on whether you have completed a driver training course:

If you fail the knowledge test, you'll need to pay a retest fee for each additional attempt. The DOL accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Note that online payments by credit or debit card include a 3% processing fee — paying with a checking account number avoids this surcharge.

Permit renewals: Your instruction permit is valid for one year and can be renewed up to two times. After two renewals (three total years), you must retake the knowledge test unless you are enrolled in a driver training course.

Documents You Need at the DOL

When you visit the DOL office, you'll need to bring the following:

Teens: If you're under 18, your parent or guardian must also provide documents showing their relationship to you (such as your birth certificate or adoption records). If your parent cannot accompany you, bring the notarized Parental Authorization Affidavit.

Bring your WDL number. This is the number you received after completing the online pre-application. It speeds up your check-in process at the DOL office.

Do You Need an Appointment?

Appointments are strongly encouraged but not strictly required for all services. The Washington DOL recommends scheduling an appointment to reduce wait times. Walk-ins are accepted at most offices, but you may face longer waits.

You can also take the knowledge test at an approved driver training school — many schools offer testing as part of their program, which can be more convenient than visiting a DOL office.

To schedule an appointment, visit the DOL website or contact your local driver licensing office directly. You'll need your WDL number from the pre-application to book an appointment.

What Happens at the DOL

Here's what a typical DOL visit looks like, in order:

The entire visit typically takes 1 to 2 hours depending on office traffic. The knowledge test itself takes most people 20 to 40 minutes.

The Vision Screening

The DOL vision screening is a quick test performed at the service counter. You'll look into a screening device and read letters or numbers displayed inside it.

Washington requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/40 with both eyes (corrected or uncorrected) and a field of vision of at least 140 degrees. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, keep them on during the test. If you pass with corrective lenses, your permit will note that you must wear them while driving.

If your vision is between 20/50 and 20/100, you may be required to submit to a reexamination. Vision worse than 20/100 does not qualify for a license. If you cannot meet the standard at the DOL, you'll be given a form to take to your eye doctor for a detailed exam. The vision screening takes less than a minute.

When They Take Your Photo

Your photo is taken during the document processing step, before you take the knowledge test. This photo will appear on your instruction permit and eventually on your driver license. Come prepared to have your picture taken when you first arrive. You'll be asked to remove glasses, hats, and head coverings (unless worn for religious reasons) for the photo.

The Knowledge Test

The Washington knowledge test covers traffic laws, road signs, safe driving practices, DUI laws, right-of-way rules, and defensive driving. All questions are based on the Washington Driver Guide. The test consists of 40 questions in multiple-choice and true/false format. There is no time limit.

Washington does not have a separate road signs test. Road sign identification questions are mixed into the main exam. The test is available in 14 languages, including English, Spanish, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Korean, Arabic, and several others. An audio version is also available for those with reading difficulties.

Can you take the test online from home? No — the Washington DOL does not offer a remote online knowledge test. You must take the test in person at a DOL office or at an approved driver training school.

What the Test Looks Like

At the DOL office, you'll take the test on a computer terminal. Each screen displays one question with multiple answer choices or a true/false option. You select your answer and move on to the next question.

The interface is straightforward. Questions are drawn from a large pool, so each test-taker gets a different set of questions. The test covers a mix of topics — you might get a road sign question followed by one about right-of-way, then one about DUI penalties.

Take your time with each question. There is no time limit, so read carefully and think through your answer before submitting. If you're unsure about a question, eliminate the answer choices you know are wrong and make your best selection from what remains.

Passing Score and Results

The passing score is the same for all ages:

When the test ends, the screen will show whether you passed or failed, along with your score. If you passed, you'll return to the service counter where the clerk will issue your instruction permit.

If you didn't pass, the results will show which topic areas you need to study more. Use this feedback to focus your preparation before retaking the test.

Teens vs. Adults: How the Process Differs

While the knowledge test is the same for everyone, the overall licensing process has significant differences:

The test-taking experience at the DOL — checking in, paying, vision test, photo, and using the computer terminal — is identical regardless of age. The main differences are the requirements that come before and after you get your permit.

After You Pass

When you pass the knowledge test, the DOL will issue your instruction permit. This is your official learner's permit — it authorizes you to practice driving on public roads, provided you follow the permit rules (see below).

Your permanent permit card will arrive by mail. Until it arrives, carry the temporary permit document with you whenever you drive.

Can you start driving immediately? Yes — but only with a supervising driver. You cannot drive alone with an instruction permit. Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid license for at least 5 years. They must sit in the front passenger seat.

Teens (under 18): You must hold your permit for at least 6 months before you can take the driving test. During that time, you need to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night.

If You Don't Pass

If you fail the knowledge test, you can retake it after approximately one day. You'll need to pay a retest fee and schedule a new appointment.

What if you fail three times? After three failed attempts, Washington requires you to complete a driver training course before you can retake the test. This applies even to adults who would not otherwise be required to take driver training.

The test questions are drawn from a large pool, so you'll get different questions on each attempt. Use the topic-area feedback from your failed test to focus your studying. Reading the Washington Driver Guide thoroughly and taking practice tests is the best way to prepare for a retake.

Instruction Permit Rules

Your instruction permit is valid for 1 year from the date of issue and can be renewed up to two times. After two renewals, you must retake the knowledge test (unless enrolled in driver training).

You must carry your permit with you every time you drive. It serves as your legal authorization to operate a vehicle.

While driving with an instruction permit:

International License Holders

If you hold a valid driver license from another country, you can drive in Washington as a visitor for up to one year. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is not required but can be helpful as a translation of your license.

However, if you become a Washington resident, you must apply for a Washington driver license. Your foreign license does not transfer — you'll need to go through the full process: application, documents, fee, vision test, knowledge test, and behind-the-wheel driving test.

A valid or recently expired (within 6 years) foreign driver license can be used as proof of identity during the application process. Washington issues standard licenses to all residents regardless of immigration status.

Out-of-State Transfers

If you have a valid driver license from another U.S. state, you must transfer it within 30 days of establishing Washington residency. You'll visit a DOL office, submit your documents, pay the fee, and take the vision screening.

You may need to take the knowledge test depending on your previous state's requirements and the status of your license. Check with the DOL for your specific situation.

For teens transferring an out-of-state learner's permit, the DOL will evaluate whether your previous state's requirements meet Washington's standards. You may need to complete additional driver training or testing.

The Washington Driver Guide

The Washington Driver Guide is the official study resource for the knowledge test. Every question on the exam is based on information in this guide. It covers Washington traffic laws, right-of-way rules, road signs and signals, safe driving practices, DUI laws, and special driving situations.

The guide is available for free online and as a downloadable PDF. You can also pick up a printed copy at any DOL office. It's published in 14 languages: English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Russian, Vietnamese, Amharic, Arabic, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Punjabi, Tagalog, Ukrainian.

Focus especially on the chapters about right-of-way, traffic signs, speed limits, and DUI laws — these tend to be the areas where test questions are most commonly drawn.

Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is one of the most effective ways to prepare. They help you identify gaps in your knowledge and get comfortable with the question format.

DMV Question Bank practice tests: For thorough preparation, you can take Washington DOL practice tests on DMV Question Bank. The question bank covers all topics from the Washington Driver Guide and simulates the real test experience, including the same question format and scoring. It's a good way to test yourself repeatedly until you're consistently scoring above 90%.

A common study strategy is to read through the driver guide once, then take practice tests to see where you're weak. Go back and re-read the sections you missed questions on, then test again. Repeat until you can consistently pass with room to spare.

Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

After getting your permit, the next step is preparing for the behind-the-wheel driving test. The requirements differ significantly between teens and adults.

GDL restrictions after getting a license (teens only): Once you pass the driving test and receive your intermediate license, you'll be subject to Washington's Graduated Driver License restrictions:

Quick Reference

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