Washington Teen Driver Penalties: Letters, Suspension, Alcohol Rules
What happens after a first, second and third intermediate license violation in Washington?
After a first violation, the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) mails a warning letter to the parent or guardian, and the passenger and night limits stay until age 18. After a second violation, DOL suspends the intermediate license for 6 months or until age 18, whichever comes first. After a third violation, DOL suspends the license until age 18.
Where these rules come from
This guide uses RCW 46.20.267 and RCW 46.20.075 for intermediate license penalties and limits, the DOL page on teen intermediate license violations, the DOL page for ages 16 to 17, and the Washington Driver Guide (2025) for alcohol limits and letters. It also uses RCW 46.20.265 and the DOL minor in possession page for revocations, the DOL page on too many traffic tickets, RCW 46.20.1191 for the 2027 safe driving course, and WAC 308-104-022 for letters to drivers aged 18 to 21. Where the Driver Guide and the law word a rule differently, this guide follows the law (as of 2026). Confirm the rules with the Washington State Department of Licensing (dol.wa.gov) before you drive.
What counts as a violation for a Washington intermediate license?
An intermediate license is the license that Washington issues to drivers aged 16 and 17. A violation is a conviction for, or a finding that you committed, a traffic offense under the rules of the road (chapter 46.61 RCW). Breaking a limit of the intermediate license, such as the passenger limit or the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. night limit, also counts.
One ticket for one or more traffic offenses counts as one violation. Police can enforce the license limits only as a secondary action: an officer must first stop you for another suspected violation. The no-phone rule is the exception.
Penalties for a first, second and third violation
| Violation | What DOL does | How long |
|---|---|---|
| First | Mails a warning letter to your parent or guardian. DOL also sends it to you. | No suspension. Passenger and night limits stay until age 18. |
| Second | Notifies you and your parent or guardian, then suspends your intermediate license. | 6 months or until age 18, whichever comes first |
| Third | Notifies you and your parent or guardian, then suspends your intermediate license. | Until age 18 |
Do the passenger and night limits ever end after a violation?
Yes. After a violation, the passenger and night limits stay until you turn 18, and then they lift automatically. You do not need a new license at 18. Without a violation, the limits end after 12 months, but only with no traffic offense and no crash in that time. The guide to the Washington intermediate license rules lists each limit in full.
A crash can also bring a letter: DOL sends similar letters to the parents or guardians of intermediate license holders after violations or crashes.
What to know if DOL suspends an intermediate license
- DOL acts when it receives a second or third ticket from the court. It mails a suspension letter that states how long the suspension lasts.
- You may not drive until the license is reinstated, and you must return a Washington license to a driver licensing office.
- You can ask for an administrative review within 15 days from the date on the notification letter.
- When the suspension ends, go to a driver license office to get a valid license.
Does Washington send warning letters to drivers aged 18 to 21?
Yes, it can. Under WAC 308-104-022, DOL may mail a letter to drivers aged 18 through 21 who have a moving traffic violation, to warn them of the risk of a crash. The Washington Driver Guide says DOL sends these letters to all drivers aged 18 to 21 after a first moving violation. The goal is to help young drivers see the risk of more violations and cut repeat offenses.
A separate rule applies to drivers of every age: after moving violations on 3 occasions in one year, or on 4 occasions in two years, DOL suspends the license for 60 days, followed by a 1-year probation. Before you get the license back, you must complete a safe driving course. Several tickets from one traffic stop count as one occasion. Since April 1, 2026, DOL ends the suspension early when you complete the course, but only once every five years.
What is minor in possession, and what happens to your license?
Minor in possession is a separate penalty. It applies when a person aged 13 to 17 is convicted of possessing alcohol, or a person aged 13 to 20 is convicted of a drug offense. When a court or juvenile agency tells DOL, DOL revokes the driver license, starting 45 days after it mails the notice.
The conviction does not show on the driving record; only the revocation shows. While the license is revoked, you cannot apply for a license or permit, and no restricted license is available. A teen convicted of a drug or alcohol offense while on an instruction permit must wait until 18 for an intermediate license.
How long a minor in possession revocation lasts
| Notice | Revocation length |
|---|---|
| First notice | 1 year or until age 17, whichever is longer |
| Second or later notice | 2 years or until age 18, whichever is longer |
What is the alcohol limit for drivers under 21 in Washington?
The Washington Driver Guide gives a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.02% for drivers under 21. A driver under 21 faces the same potential consequences at 0.02% as a driver aged 21 or older faces at 0.08%. For drivers under 21, the guide also gives a THC limit of anything more than 0 nanograms of active THC per milliliter of blood.
The free question on the under-21 alcohol limit lets you practice this rule. Our practice questions are free and in English only.
What is the Washington safe driving course from 2027?
From January 1, 2027, a driver aged 18 to under 22 who holds an initial driver's license must complete a safe driving course after moving-violation infractions on two occasions. The same rule covers drivers aged 22 to under 25 from January 1, 2027 until January 1, 2031. An initial license is a driver's first Washington license.
If you do not finish the course within 180 days of the notice from DOL, DOL suspends your license until you finish it. The new driver training rule for adults is a different rule, covered in the guide to the Washington driver's license at 18 and older.
Key takeaways
- First violation on an intermediate license: a warning letter to the parent or guardian, and the passenger and night limits stay until age 18.
- Second violation: suspension for 6 months or until age 18, whichever comes first. Third violation: suspension until age 18. No restricted license, and a $75 reissue fee.
- Minor in possession: a license revocation of 1 year or until age 17 for a first notice, and 2 years or until age 18 for a later notice.
- Drivers under 21: the Driver Guide gives a BAC limit of 0.02%.
- Next step: practice the Washington rules on the free Washington personal driver practice test.
Washington teen driver penalties: common questions
Can a teen get a work license during an intermediate license suspension?
No. During a suspension for a second or third intermediate license violation, DOL does not issue any type of driver license, so there is no restricted or work license. This differs from the 60-day suspension for too many tickets, where a driver may be eligible for an Occupational/Restricted License to drive to work.
How much does it cost to get a suspended intermediate license back?
You pay a $75 reissue fee, on top of your other licensing fees, when you get a valid license at a driver license office after the suspension. State law (RCW 46.20.311) sets this $75 reissue fee before DOL issues a new license after a suspension.
Does one ticket with several offenses count as several violations?
No. For an intermediate license, a single ticket for one or more traffic offenses counts as one violation. For the 2027 safe driving course for new drivers aged 18 to under 25, several infractions from one traffic stop also count as one occasion.
Can a teen with an out-of-state license drive in Washington during a suspension?
No. During an intermediate license suspension, a driver with a license from another state cannot apply for a Washington license or drive in Washington with the out-of-state license. The same limits apply during a minor in possession revocation, and DOL tells the home state or province, which may take license action there.
Can a minor in possession revocation end early?
Sometimes. Contact the court where you were convicted. If the court agrees, it sends a Request for Early Reinstatement form to DOL, and DOL tells you in writing when you can apply. There is no early reinstatement for a firearm offense. Several revocations can run one after the other, but DOL releases all minor in possession revocations at age 21.
Can you appeal a minor in possession revocation?
There is no hearing for this revocation, but you can ask DOL for an administrative review within 15 days of the date on the revocation letter. The letter includes the request form. The review looks at only 2 issues: whether DOL records identify you correctly, and whether the court information is correct.
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