How many practice hours do you need in Washington?
In Washington, a learner driver must log 50 hours of supervised driving practice—including 10 at night—before applying for a license.
Washington learner permit requirements
- Minimum permit age: 15
- Supervised practice required: 50 hours total, 10 at night (what counts as night driving)
- Permit hold period: 6 months
- License eligibility age: 16
- How hours are certified: 50-hour driving log (10 at night) certified by a parent or guardian. DriveMint fills in the DLE-520-003 from your logged drives (see every state form).
Washington requires 50 hours of supervised driving with at least 10 at night, plus a state-approved driver-training course for applicants under 18.
When can you drive with a permit in Washington?
Washington puts no time limit on an instruction permit. You can practice at any hour with a driving instructor or a licensed driver with at least five years of experience in the seat beside you.
With an instructor or a licensed driver with 5+ years' experience beside you.
Allowed, with the same supervisor.
Alone. No passengers under 20 except family for 6 months, then up to three.
Alone until 1 a.m. Later only with a licensed driver 25+, or for school, religious or work activities.
Alone, with no passenger limit.
Alone at any hour.
- The night and passenger limits lift after 12 months only if you've had no crash of any kind, even one nobody was cited for, and no traffic tickets or restriction violations. Otherwise they last until 18.
- Police can enforce the night and passenger limits only after stopping you for something else. The ban on using a phone while driving is enforced on its own.
- Since May 1, 2026, first-time license applicants under 25 also have to pass a free online course on work zone and first responder safety. Starting in 2027, driver training becomes required for 18-year-olds too.
In December, sunset in Washington comes around 4 to 4:20 p.m., so the 10 night hours fit in early-evening drives.
Checked against RCW 46.20.055 and 46.20.075 in October 2026. Limits after the road test are under restrictions for new drivers.
Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the Washington Department of Licensing before applying.
Washington's graduated licensing stages
Enroll in driver training; drive with an instructor or a licensed driver with 5+ years' experience; log 50 hours (10 at night) with a supervisor 21+.
Issued after 6 months; no driving 1–5 a.m. and passenger limits until 18, lifted after 12 months with a clean record.
Intermediate restrictions are removed.
Driving restrictions for new Washington drivers
Intermediate license holders can't drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless a licensed driver 25+ is with them, or they're driving for school, religious, or work activities (their own or an immediate family member's). The limit lasts until 18 but lifts after 12 months with no crashes, tickets, or restriction violations. Instruction permits have no time limit.
For the first 6 months, no passengers under 20 other than immediate family. After that, no more than three passengers under 20 who aren't family, until 18 or until 12 months pass with a clean record.
Drivers with an instruction permit or intermediate license may not use a wireless device while driving, even hands-free.
Log every Washington practice hour automatically
DriveMint tracks each supervised drive, separates day and night hours, and generates a PDF you can print or show at the DMV. Prove all 50 hours without a paper logbook falling apart in the glove box.
New to DriveMint? Watch the one-minute video guides, from setup to a signed log.
Washington driving practice FAQs
How many driving hours do you need in Washington?+
Washington requires 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.
What time can you drive with a permit in Washington?+
A Washington instruction permit has no hours limit, so you can drive at night as long as a driver training instructor or a licensed driver with at least five years of driving experience sits beside you. For the hours to count toward the 50-hour log, the supervisor also has to be at least 21 and licensed for at least three years. The time limit applies to the intermediate license: you can't drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless a licensed driver 25 or older is with you, or you're driving for school, religious, or work activities, your own or an immediate family member's. Driving for agricultural work is allowed at any hour. The limit lasts until 18, but it lifts after 12 months if you've had no crashes, tickets, or restriction violations.
How many hours does Washington require?+
50 hours of supervised driving including at least 10 at night, logged during the instruction permit period.
Is driver training required in Washington?+
Yes — applicants under 18 must complete a state-approved driver-training course before getting an intermediate license.
Requirements in other states
Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.