The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) has added a new step for young people getting their first driver license. From 1 November 2026, anyone under 25 whose first Washington license is issued on or after that date must first pass a free online course on driving safely through work zones and past roadside emergencies. Applicants aged 25 or older are not required to take it, and anyone who got a first license on or before 31 October 2026 is not affected.
Key facts
- What Free online work zone and first responder safety course
- From 1 November 2026
- Who First-time WA license applicants aged 16 to 24
- Cost Free
- Length About one hour, with a test at the end
How the course works
DOL says the course is free, is taken online on a phone or computer, takes about an hour and ends with a test. It is offered in 14 languages. It covers how to recognize a work zone or roadside emergency, such as orange cones, reduced speed signs and flashing lights, and how to get through these areas without risky last-minute moves.
To log in for the first time you need a Washington driver license (WDL) number, the 12-digit number shown on learner permits, ID cards and licenses. If you already hold a Washington learner permit or ID card, you have one. If not, DOL explains how to request a WDL number through a License Express account. The course can be done before or after the other driver training and testing steps.
What has not changed
The course is an extra requirement, not a replacement. Teens still need a learner permit, an approved driver training course if they want a license before 18, and a pass in both the knowledge test and the drive test at an approved testing location. DOL notes that testing fees vary by location, and the learner permit fee is $35.
What this means
If you are under 25 and planning to get your first Washington license, add the course to your plan now. Doing it early, while you are studying for the knowledge test, means it will not hold up your license on the day you pass the drive test. Check your WDL number before you start and read the DOL course page for the latest steps. The course is open to drivers of any age who want to take it voluntarily.