For years, there’s been an easy shortcut in Washington: if you wait until you’re 18 to get your first driver’s license, you don’t have to take driver’s ed. You just pass the tests.
That shortcut is about to close.
Starting January 1, 2027, new drivers who are 18 years old will have to complete a driver’s education course before they can get their first Washington license. And over the next few years, the rule will expand to cover older new drivers too.
Who Has to Take Driver’s Ed, and When
The change comes from House Bill 1878, a young driver safety law passed in 2025. It phases in one age group at a time:
| Starting | New drivers who must take driver’s ed |
|---|---|
| Already in place | Under 18 |
| January 1, 2027 | Age 18 |
| January 1, 2028 | Ages 18–19 |
| January 1, 2029 | Ages 18–20 |
| January 1, 2030 | Ages 18–21 |
According to the Washington Department of Licensing, the 2027 change affects applicants who are 18, meaning those born in 2009 or later. Under the law, the requirement could later expand to new drivers up to age 24, with a shorter course option for drivers 22 to 24, though the state can pause that later stage if there aren’t enough driving schools to meet demand.
Why Washington Is Doing This
Safety officials say drivers between 18 and 21 who skip driver’s ed have higher crash rates than those who take it. The goal is to make sure every new young driver learns defensive driving and the rules of the road before getting behind the wheel alone.
Help With the Cost
Driver’s ed isn’t cheap, and lawmakers knew that. The law includes a few things to make it easier:
- A voucher program, expected to start in January 2027, to help some people ages 15 to 24 from low-income households pay for driver’s ed.
- An online, self-paced course option, approved by the Department of Licensing, for drivers under 18 starting in 2027.
- Support for foster youth to cover driver’s ed costs.
What You Should Do
If you’re 17 and planning to wait until 18 to skip driver’s ed, that plan won’t work after January 1. Either get your license before then, or plan on taking a course.
If you’re 18 to 21 and don’t have a license yet, check the Department of Licensing’s website to see when the rule will apply to your age group.
If you’re a parent, now is a good time to look into driving schools. With thousands of new students coming, classes could fill up fast.
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