Ellensburg Washington Online Driver Education and Ellensburg Washington Licensing Procedures
The process of applying for your Ellensburg Washington learner's permit or first Ellensburg Washington driver's license can be nerve-racking, but it doesn't have to be if you have the right information. We want you to get as much out of this experience as possible, and have designed this guide to help guide you through the process. Ellensburg Washington has a Graduated Driver License Program for Ellensburg Washington teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your first Ellensburg Washington driver’s license goes as smoothly as possible. So let’s jump right in.
The Ellensburg Washington Learner’s Permit or Ellensburg Washington Instruction Permit
If you enroll in a Ellensburg Washington approved driver education course (see the note at the bottom of this guide about online providers), you can apply for a Ellensburg Washington Instruction permit when you turn 15. However, you must apply for the permit no more than 10 days before the class starts.
When you turn 15 and a half, you can also apply for a Ellensburg Washington Instruction Permit. Either way, in order to apply you’ll need:
Once all of this is in place, make an appointment, then head on down to your local Ellensburg Washington Driver License Office with your parent or guardian and submit your application. Then, you’ll have to take a vision test. If you’re not enrolled in a Ellensburg Washington approved driver education course, you’ll also have to pass a knowledge test. You've accomplished the first step--you know have a Ellensburg Washington Instruction Permit, which is valid for 1 year and may be renewed once.
Remember, you must practice driving with your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or licensed driver who has at least 5 years experience. Of course, all passengers must wear seatbelts, and be sure to carry your Ellensburg Washington Learner’s Permit with you at all times.
Once you’ve held your Ellensburg Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months without incident and have met a few more requirements, you’ll graduate to the next step in the Ellensburg Washington Graduated License Program, the Ellensburg Washington Intermediate Driver License.
The Ellensburg Washington Intermediate Driver License or Ellensburg Washington Provisional License
You can apply for your Ellensburg Washington Intermediate Driver’s License once you’ve held your Ellensburg Washington Instruction Permit for 6 months in good standing. However, you’ll also need to satisfy the following requirements:
All set? Then, make an appointment and head on down to your local Ellensburg Washington Driver License Office again. Remember to bring your parent/guardian, your traffic safety certificate, your identification documents, and your Parental Authorization Affidavit. Now you’ll have to take the dreaded Ellensburg Washington road test! If you pass, then give yourself a reward: you’ve just earned your Ellensburg Washington Intermediate Driver’s License! Now you're just a few more months of good behavior away from getting your full license.
Ellensburg Washington Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
There are still a few restrictions you’ll have to keep in mind now that you have your Ellensburg Washington Intermediate Driver’s License:
- All passengers and the driver must wear seat belts
- For the first 6 months, no passengers under 20 unless they are family members
- For the second 6 months, no more than 3 passengers under 20 except for family members
- For the first 12 months, no driving between 1AM and 5AM unless with a driver 25 or older (or if you drive for agricultural purposes)
- And finally, no cell phones while driving (that includes hands-free devices)
Upon your first violation of these restrictions, you’ll receive a warning letter. For your second violation, your Ellensburg Washington Intermediate Driver license will be suspended for 6 months (or until you turn 18, whichever comes first). Upon your third violation, your Ellensburg Washington License will be suspended until you turn 18. If these seems strict, just remember that once you turn 18, these restrictions will be removed. And then, freedom!
Ellensburg Washington Drunk Driving Laws
As a Ellensburg Washington teen driver, you'll face no bigger threat than the one posed by drunk drivers. it’s important for you to learn the Ellensburg Washington drunk driving laws and follow them religiously. Like most states, Ellensburg Washington has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Ellensburg Washington DUI or Ellensburg Washington DWI, your Ellensburg Washington Learner Permit or Ellensburg Washington Driver’s License will be suspended.
In general, upon your first conviction of a Ellensburg Washington DUI of .08, you’ll also face the following penalties:
- Ellensburg Washington License Suspension 90 days
- Jail 24 hours to 1 year or Electronic Home Monitoring 15 days
- Fine $865.50 to $5,000
For a Blood Alcohol Content of .15 or above, you’ll face the following penalties:
- Jail 2 days to 2 years or Electronic Home Monitoring 30 days
- Fine $1,120.50 to $5,000
- Ellensburg Washington License Suspension 1 year
- Ignition Interlock Device installation
- Possible Alcohol/Drug Education class
And of course, further Ellensburg Washington DWI and DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Ellensburg Washington license suspension or even Ellensburg Washington license revocation. There's no bigger abuse of the privilege of driving than getting behind the wheel drunk, and the State of Ellensburg Washington takes it very seriously.
Ellensburg Washington Auto Insurance Financial Responsibility Laws
You may think you're ready to drive just because you've received your Ellensburg Washington Provisional Driver license, but there are still other things you need to know. Most crucially, Ellensburg Washington drivers are required by law to be covered by liability insurance. The minimum liability insurance coverage is:
- $25,000 bodily injury for one person
- $50,000 bodily injury two or more people
- $10,000 for property damage per accident
If you are in an accident and found to be driving without Ellensburg Washington mandatory liability insurance, your Ellensburg Washington Learner Permit or Ellensburg Washington Driver’s License could be suspended.
Cell Phone and Text Messaging Laws
Currently, Ellensburg Washington teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving, even with hands-free devices! And at any age, frequent cell phone use while driving can be risky, so keep it to a minimum!
Ellensburg Washington Online Driver Education
Ellensburg Washington teen drivers can receive their Ellensburg Washington Learner’s Permit if they enroll in a Ellensburg Washington approved driver education class. More information about approved Ellensburg Washington online driver education can be found on the Ellensburg Washington Department of Motor Vehicle website.