For many Washington families, teenage drivers are a critical part of getting family members from place to place.  Once the oldest sibling turns 16 and gets a driver’s license, they often have responsibility to take themselves, and younger brothers and sisters, to school, athletic events and other activities. 

Unfortunately, Washington State recently created a new category of driver’s license for young drivers – the Intermediate Driver’s License or “IDL”.  Drivers between 16 and 18 are subject to special restrictions:

• For the first 6 months after they are licensed, IDL holders cannot transport passengers under the age of 20 unless the passengers are immediate family members (siblings, for example).

• For the next 6 months, IDL holders cannot transport more than 3 non-family passengers who are under 20 years old.

• For the first 12 months after licensing, IDL holders cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are with a licensed driver age 25 or older.

Once an IDL holder has driven for a year without having an accident or receiving a traffic ticket, the IDL restrictions are lifted.  Once the IDL holder turns 18, the IDL converts to a regular driver’s license.  However, IDL holders face SEVERE consequences if they get traffic tickets or are involved in collisions:

• If the IDL holder violates any of the restrictions OR gets a traffic ticket, the Department of Licensing issues a warning letter.

• If the IDL holder gets a second ticket before the age of 18, the IDL holder loses his or her license for 6 months, or until the age of 18 (whichever comes first).

• If the IDL holder receives a third ticket before the age of 18, the IDL holder loses his or her license until the age of 18. 

• If the IDL holder is involved in an accident and:
1.       Receives a ticker;
2.       Is determined to have caused the accident;
3.       Nobody involved in the accident receives a ticker; or
4.       The cause of the accident cannot be determined,

The IDL holder will have IDL restrictions extended to 18 years old.

In other words, an IDL holder who gets in any accident that is not determined to be someone else’s fault will have IDL restrictions until 18. 

An IDL holder who receives two or more tickets before the age of 18 AUTOMATICALLY loses his or her license. 

Finally, any person under the age of 18 who is convicted of DUI, “Physical Control,” Minor DUI or any other alcohol or drug violations (including MIP or Possession of Marijuana) cannot get a driver’s license until the age of 18.

If you have an IDL holder in your home that you depend on to run errands or transport other kids to activities, it is CRITICAL that you contest each and every traffic ticket.  Don’t wait for an accident or second traffic ticket to trigger a lengthy license suspension for your teenager.  Hire a Seattle traffic ticket lawyer, a Bellevue speeding ticket attorney or a Tacoma traffic defense attorney to protect your Intermediate Driver’s License.