New Training in Washington State for New Drivers under 25

 Via the Department of Licensing for Washington State:


A new Department of Licensing (DOL) mandatory training for younger drivers in Washington state aims to reduce collisions with emergency and first responders on the roadside.

Starting Nov. 1, 2026, first-time driver license applicants under the age of 25 must pass an online course for work zone and first responder safety to get their license. The free course will be available to everyone starting Sept. 1.

The new training is part of a larger effort to improve driving habits among younger drivers who typically experience more serious crashes than other age groups. The program also builds on previous DOL efforts to improve work zone traffic safety.

Also:

In the years ahead, younger drivers should expect the following changes: Starting Jan. 1, 2027, applicants age 18 — those born in 2009 or after — will be required to complete driver education. A new age group will be phased in each year after that until 2030. Applicants under age 22 will be the last age group required to take driver education. 

We are developing a voucher program to help reduce the cost of driver education courses for some low-income individuals. We expect the program to start in January 2027. 

Implementing a safe driving course for license holders ages 18 to 24 who have two moving violations. Beginning January 2027, drivers fitting this description who fail to take the course risk license suspension.

DOL will be releasing more information and will conduct outreach about these changes as they get closer to launch.

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