Washington State Driver Guide - WA State Licensing (DOL ...

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Washington State

Department of Licensing

Washington

Driver Guide

dol.

Warning Signs

Winding Road

Divided Highway

(Road) Begins

Divided Highway

(Road) Ends

Cross Road

Merging Traffic

Lane Ends

Merge Left

Slippery

When Wet

Signal Ahead

Hill

Two-Way

Traffic

School

Crossing *

Pedestrian

Crossing *

Railroad

Crossing

Advance Warning

Bicycles

Soft Shoulder

Added Lane

(from right,

no merging required)

No Passing

Zone

Slow Moving

Vehicle

Deer Crossing

Curve Left

35 mph or less

recommended

* Color can be fluorescent green or yellow

Graphics provided in cooperation with Washington State Department of Transportation.

CHANGES TO THE DRIVER GUIDE, REV 3/23

The information below replaces the information found in the current guide.

REAL ID UPDATE

By May 7, 2025, standard driver licenses will no longer be an acceptable form of identification for

boarding domestic flights and entering some secure federal facilities, like military bases and nuclear

power plants. Go to Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) website () for a complete list

of federally approved forms of identification.

Even though the effective date for REAL ID is May 7, 2025 it only affects people who want to travel by

plane or access certain secure federal facilities. A standard driver license will work for the U.S. travel like

driving in Washington, across state lines, or riding a train.

Washington¡¯s enhanced driver licenses (EDLs) are REAL ID compliant and valid for air travel within the

United States.

A full list of document options you need to obtain an enhanced driver license or ID card is available at

dol.driverlicense/edlget.html.

Visit , to view informational videos, take a quiz to help determine which ID you need,

and learn more about REAL ID.

PAGE 1-2

Abstract of driving record ¨C We keep a record of license applications, traffic infractions, convictions for

motor vehicle violations, collision involvement, and Failure-to-Appear notices for every driver in the state.

For a fee, we are allowed to provide a copy of your record to you, an insurance carrier, an employer, and

some volunteer organizations, attorneys, governmental agencies, drug/alcohol treatment agencies, and

school districts where you provide transportation. A certified record is also available online at dol.

.

PAGE 1-15

Insurance Required

If you operate a motor vehicle registered in this state, you must have liability insurance and carry proof

that you have such insurance. Drivers of government vehicles, mopeds, and common or contract carrier

vehicles are exempt from this insurance requirement.

PAGE 2-2

CHILD RESTRAINT UPDATES

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Infants and children under two must use a child safety restraint system in the rear-facing position.

?

Children under four who have outgrown the height and weight recommendations of the child safety seat

manufacture for rear facing must continue to use a child safety restraint system in the forward-facing

position.

?

Children four or older, until they are 4¡¯9¡± tall and can properly fit the vehicle lap and shoulder belt with

lap belt across their lap with knees fully bent at the end of seat and shoulder belt coming across the

shoulder and not the neck, must use a booster seat. They should not move to a seat belt before they

are ready per height and age, typically between 8 and 12 years.

?

The restraint system must be used exactly and according to BOTH the safety seat AND vehicle

manufacturer¡¯s instructions.

PAGE 2-10

520-400 INSERT-ENGLISH R/3/23

?

Vehicles equipped with lap-only seat belts are exempt from the requirement to use a booster seat.

?

Children who have reached the maximum recommended weight of the booster seat manufacturer or

are at least 4¡¯9¡± who wear a seat belt, MUST use it correctly (never under the arm or behind the back)

or continue to use a child safety restraint.

?

A BOOSTER SEAT positions the seat belt so that it fits properly over the stronger

parts of your child¡¯s body, the hips and shoulder, and chest and away from the neck

and belly.

?

A SEAT BELT should lie across the hip bones and be snug across the shoulder and

chest to restrain the child safely in a crash. It should not rest on the stomach area or

across the neck.

*Guidelines on Rear-Facing Car Seats and Forward-Facing Car Seats has not changed. See Page 2-10 in the guide.

?

You should keep your child in each stage as long as they are within the manufacturer¡¯s weight and

height limits for that child seat or booster even if they are older than the law minimums for maximum

safety.

PAGE 2-10

For more information about child passenger safety, call:

? The Washington Child Passenger Safety Program Manager at 253-447-3257; or

? The Washington Traffic Safety Commission at: wtsc. or 360-725-9860; or

? Washington State Department of Health ¨C Safe Kids Washington at 360-236-2863

PAGE 2-11

RULES OF THE ROAD

There are traffic rules that say where, when, and how fast you can drive. These rules help keep traffic

moving safely. Rules of the road include traffic control devices, right-of-way, and parking rules.

Move Over/Slow Down law: When passing emergency response vehicles on the

side of the road with flashing lights activated, move over one lane if possible, and

if not, then reduce your speed to 10 mph below the posted speed limit. Emergency

response vehicles include law enforcement, fire/ambulance, incident response,

highway maintenance, utility, solid waste and tow trucks.

Traffic Control Devices

Traffic control devices include traffic signals, signs, and pavement markings, and roundabouts. Traffic

control also can be provided by law enforcement, highway construction or maintenance personnel, or

school crossing guards.

PAGE 3-1

SPACE FOR SPECIAL SITUATIONS

There are certain drivers and other road users you should give extra room. Some are listed here.

Work zones and emergency work crews with flashing lights ¨C Crews in work zones require extra caution as

travelers pass by. Motorists must obey all directions and reduce speeds in any marked work zone ¨C for the

safety of crews and everyone on the roadway. Traffic fines can double in a work zone area.

PAGE 4-42

STATE OF WASHINGTON

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

Olympia, Washington 98504-0002

Message from the Governor

As you begin your journey to become a licensed driver in our state,

I would like to remind you how important it is to always drive

responsibly and use good judgment behind the wheel. There are

more than 5.5 million licensed drivers in Washington, and everyone

has to learn and follow the traffic laws in the Washington Driver

Guide to help us keep our communities safe.

Our state has a fantastic transportation system and thousands of

great destinations. Please study this guide carefully to help ensure

a lifetime of safe driving. Once you get your license and hit the open

road, don¡¯t forget to share it with pedestrians and cyclists.

Very truly yours,

Jay Inslee

Governor

i

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