Washington driving laws
The rules your permit test asks about, in plain English. Each one is quoted from Washington’s statutes or an official DOL page. Handbooks are often years out of date, so where the law has changed we follow the law.
Checked October 2, 2026.
The short version
- Phones and texting
- Washington drivers may not hold a phone or other personal electronic device, type or read on it, or watch video while driving, including when stopped in traffic or at a light.
- Alcohol and drugs (DUI)
- In Washington it is a DUI to drive at 0.08 alcohol or 5.00 ng/mL THC or more (21 and older).
- Seat belts and child seats
- Everyone in a Washington vehicle must be buckled: people 16 and older wear a belt, and the driver must make sure every child under 16 is in a belt or child seat.
- Speed limits
- Unless posted otherwise, Washington's limits are 25 mph on city and town streets, 50 mph on county roads and 60 mph on state highways.
Phones and texting
Washington drivers may not hold a phone or other personal electronic device, type or read on it, or watch video while driving, including when stopped in traffic or at a light. Instruction permit and intermediate license holders may not use a wireless device at all, even hands-free, except to report an emergency or illegal activity.
Official wording (6 sources)
“A person who uses a personal electronic device while driving a motor vehicle on a public highway is guilty of a traffic infraction”
app.leg.wa.gov“"Driving" means to operate a motor vehicle on a public highway, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device, or other momentary delays.”
app.leg.wa.gov“Holding a personal electronic device in either hand or both hands;”
app.leg.wa.gov“A second or subsequent offense under this section is subject to two times the penalty amount under RCW 46.63.110 .”
app.leg.wa.gov“The person is not using a wireless communications device, unless the person is using the device to report illegal activity, summon medical or other emergency help, or prevent injury to a person or property”
app.leg.wa.gov“The holder of an intermediate license may not operate a moving motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device”
app.leg.wa.gov
Alcohol and drugs (DUI)
In Washington it is a DUI to drive at 0.08 alcohol or 5.00 ng/mL THC or more (21 and older). Drivers under 21 violate the law at 0.02 alcohol or any THC above 0.00, and commercial drivers at 0.04. A first test refusal brings a one-year license revocation.
Official wording (14 sources)
“an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's breath or blood made under RCW 46.61.506”
app.leg.wa.gov“a THC concentration of 5.00 or higher as shown by analysis of the person's blood made under RCW 46.61.506”
app.leg.wa.gov“An alcohol concentration of at least 0.02 but less than the concentration specified in RCW 46.61.502”
app.leg.wa.gov“A THC concentration above 0.00 but less than the concentration specified in RCW 46.61.502”
app.leg.wa.gov“Driving a commercial motor vehicle while the alcohol concentration in the person's system is 0.04 or more or any measurable amount of THC concentration”
app.leg.wa.gov“For a first refusal within seven years, where there has not been a previous incident within seven years that resulted in administrative action under this section, revocation or denial for one year”
app.leg.wa.gov“For a second or subsequent refusal within seven years, or for a first refusal where there has been one or more previous incidents within seven years that have resulted in administrative action under this section, revocation or denial for two years or until the person reaches age twenty-one, whichever is longer.”
app.leg.wa.gov“By imprisonment for not less than 24 consecutive hours nor more than 364 days.”
app.leg.wa.gov“By a fine of not less than $350 nor more than $5,000.”
app.leg.wa.gov“For a first incident within seven years, where there has not been a previous incident within seven years that resulted in administrative action under this section, suspension for ninety days”
app.leg.wa.gov“has submitted to or been administered a test or tests indicating that the alcohol concentration of the person's breath or blood was 0.02 or more, or that the THC concentration of the person's blood was above 0.00: (a) For a first incident within seven years, suspension or denial for ninety days;”
app.leg.wa.gov“By imprisonment for not less than 48 consecutive hours nor more than 364 days.”
app.leg.wa.gov“A violation of this section is a misdemeanor.”
app.leg.wa.gov“Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, a violation of this section is a gross misdemeanor.”
app.leg.wa.gov
Seat belts and child seats
Everyone in a Washington vehicle must be buckled: people 16 and older wear a belt, and the driver must make sure every child under 16 is in a belt or child seat. Enforcement is primary.
Official wording (5 sources)
“Every person sixteen years of age or older operating or riding in a motor vehicle shall wear the safety belt assembly in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner.”
app.leg.wa.gov“No person may operate a motor vehicle unless all child passengers under the age of sixteen years are either: (a) Wearing a safety belt assembly or (b) are securely fastened into an approved child restraint device.”
app.leg.wa.gov“A child under the age of two years must be properly secured in a child restraint system that is rear-facing until the child reaches the weight or height limit of the child restraint system as set by the manufacturer.”
app.leg.wa.gov“and who is under four feet nine inches tall must be properly secured in a child booster seat.”
app.leg.wa.gov“The driver of a vehicle transporting a child who is under thirteen years old shall transport the child in the back seat positions in the vehicle where it is practical to do so.”
app.leg.wa.gov
Move Over law
Washington's emergency zone is the 200 feet before and after a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, roadside assistance vehicle, police car or flashing work vehicle. Move over a lane if you safely can; if you can't, slow to at least 10 mph below the limit, or to 50 mph or less where the limit is above 60. Fines are doubled.
Official wording (3 sources)
“An emergency or work zone is defined as the adjacent lanes of the roadway 200 feet before and after”
app.leg.wa.gov“If changing lanes or moving away would be unsafe, proceed with due caution and continue to reduce the speed of the vehicle to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit, except for when the posted speed limit exceeds 60 miles per hour or more, then reduce the speed of the vehicle to no more than 50 miles per hour.”
app.leg.wa.gov“A person found to be in violation of this section, or any infraction relating to speed restrictions in an emergency or work zone, must be assessed a monetary penalty equal to twice the penalty assessed under RCW 46.63.110 .”
app.leg.wa.gov
School buses
Traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus that is stopped with red lights flashing and stay stopped until the bus moves or the lights go off. Oncoming traffic need not stop on a divided highway or on a road with three or more marked lanes.
Official wording (3 sources)
“The driver of a vehicle upon overtaking or meeting from either direction any school bus which has stopped on the roadway for the purpose of receiving or discharging any school children shall stop the vehicle before reaching such school bus”
app.leg.wa.gov“The driver of a vehicle upon a highway divided into separate roadways as provided in RCW 46.61.150 need not stop upon meeting a school bus which is proceeding in the opposite direction”
app.leg.wa.gov“The driver of a vehicle upon a highway with three or more marked traffic lanes need not stop upon meeting a school bus which is proceeding in the opposite direction”
app.leg.wa.gov
Speed limits
Unless posted otherwise, Washington's limits are 25 mph on city and town streets, 50 mph on county roads and 60 mph on state highways; 20 mph in posted school and playground zones. The state may post up to 75 mph where it is safe.
Official wording (3 sources)
“(a) Twenty-five miles per hour on city and town streets; (b) Fifty miles per hour on county roads; (c) Sixty miles per hour on state highways.”
app.leg.wa.gov“the secretary may increase the maximum speed limit on any highway or portion thereof to not more than seventy-five miles per hour”
app.leg.wa.gov“at a speed in excess of twenty miles per hour when operating any vehicle upon a highway either inside or outside an incorporated city or town when passing any marked school or playground crosswalk”
app.leg.wa.gov
After a crash
If a crash causes injury, death, or $1,000 or more of damage to any one person's property, and no police officer files a report, each driver must file a written collision report within four days. Drivers must also stop, exchange name, address, insurance and license information, and help the injured.
Official wording (3 sources)
“shall, within four days after such accident, make a written report of such accident to the chief of police of the city or town if such accident occurred within an incorporated city or town or the county sheriff or state patrol”
app.leg.wa.gov“Beginning January 1, 2015, the accident-reporting threshold for property damage accidents will be one thousand dollars.”
app.leg.wa.gov“shall give his or her name, address, insurance company, insurance policy number, and vehicle license number and shall exhibit his or her vehicle driver's license”
app.leg.wa.gov
Insurance
Washington requires liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per crash for injury or death, and $10,000 for property damage.
Official wording (3 sources)
“of not less than twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, subject to said limit for one person, to a limit of not less than fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident”
app.leg.wa.gov“to a limit of not less than ten thousand dollars because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.”
app.leg.wa.gov“No person may operate a motor vehicle subject to registration under chapter 46.16A RCW in this state unless the person is insured under a motor vehicle liability policy with liability limits of at least the amounts provided in RCW 46.29.090”
app.leg.wa.gov
Motorcycle helmets
Everyone riding a motorcycle, moped or motor-driven cycle in Washington must wear a DOT-certified helmet with the strap fastened. Riders without a windshield must wear glasses, goggles or a face shield. Children under 5 may not ride.
Official wording (3 sources)
“For any person to operate or ride upon a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or moped on a state highway, county road, or city street unless wearing upon his or her head a motorcycle helmet”
app.leg.wa.gov“For any person to operate a motorcycle, moped, or motor-driven cycle which does not have a windshield unless wearing glasses, goggles, or a face shield of a type conforming to rules adopted by the state patrol;”
app.leg.wa.gov“For any person to transport a child under the age of five on a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle;”
app.leg.wa.gov
Motorcycle permit rules
A Washington driver license holder 16 or older can get a 2-wheel motorcycle instruction permit after passing knowledge and riding skills tests at an approved school. It lasts 180 days, one more permit may be issued, and no more than two in five years. No passengers and no riding in darkness.
Official wording (6 sources)
“A person holding a valid driver's license who wishes to learn to ride a motorcycle may apply for a motorcycle instruction permit.”
app.leg.wa.gov“An individual with a motorcyclist's instruction permit may not carry passengers and may not operate a motorcycle during the hours of darkness.”
app.leg.wa.gov“A motorcycle instruction permit is valid for one hundred eighty days from the date of issue. (a) The department may issue one additional one hundred eighty-day permit. (b) The department may not issue more than two motorcycle instruction permits to an applicant within a five-year period.”
app.leg.wa.gov“To apply for a 2-wheel instruction permit, you must: Be at least 16 years old. Have a valid Washington State driver license.”
dol.wa.gov“If you're under 18, pass an approved 2-wheel safety course and your parent or guardian must sign a consent form.”
dol.wa.gov“Wait 3 business days for the school to enter the course/test results into our system”
dol.wa.gov
Lane splitting
Lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal in Washington: no riding between lanes or between rows of vehicles, and no passing in the same lane as the vehicle being passed. Two motorcycles may ride side by side in one lane, but not more.
Official wording (3 sources)
“No person shall operate a motorcycle between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.”
app.leg.wa.gov“The operator of a motorcycle shall not overtake and pass in the same lane occupied by the vehicle being overtaken.”
app.leg.wa.gov“Motorcycles shall not be operated more than two abreast in a single lane.”
app.leg.wa.gov
This page summarizes the law for study purposes and is not legal advice. Laws change; confirm with Washington State Department of Licensing.