Washington's Intermediate License Program

"There are no good or bad teens...ALL teens are new to the responsibilities and experience of driving."  Washington's Intermediate License law will help our youngest drivers gain the experience they need to be safer drivers for the rest of their lives.  This law will help to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and deaths that involve our state's least experienced drivers.

Elements of an intermediate or Graduated driver licensing program:

Teen licensing law in other states as of 1999

The effect of teen crashes in Washington State:

The number of crashes per million miles driven, by youthful driver

Age 16: -----------------------------------  35
Age 17: --------------------  20
Age 18: --------------  14
Age 19: -------------  13
20-24:   ---------  9

Florida's graduated license:

Florida's graduated license (implemented in 1995), saved the lives of new drivers and cut the number of crashes.

20%      
15%      
10%      
5%      
Age of driver 15 16 17

The chart shows how much Florida lowered the fatal and injury crash rates following the introduction of Graduated Licensing.  Washington's hopes to do as well if not better.

Home        How the Law Works        Questions and Answers