A Free Safety Course Before the First License
Starting November 1, anyone ages 16 to 24 applying for a first Washington driver’s license must pass a free online course on work zone and first responder safety. The Department of Licensing course takes about an hour, ends with a short test, and works on a phone or computer. It’s offered in 14 languages and can be completed before or after driver’s ed and licensing exams.
The deciding factor is when the license is issued. Get your first license by October 31 and the course isn’t required. Wait until November 1 or later and it is, as long as you’re under 25. Drivers who already hold a license aren’t affected, though anyone is welcome to take the course. The course page also lists the sign-in steps, and teens can review every licensing step on the DOL’s application page for ages 16 to 17.
Why Focus on Work Zones and Emergency Scenes?
The course reinforces a rule every Washington driver should know: slow down and move over, when it’s safe, for stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and road crews with warning lights. For the police officers, firefighters, and highway workers standing a few feet from traffic, that extra space can be the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
Giving space matters even more around commercial trucks, which are common on I-5 and need far more room to slow down or change lanes. A new driver who cuts in front of a semi when lanes merge, or brakes suddenly at a work zone, leaves the truck little time to react. Crashes involving large trucks often cause serious injuries, and we know how complex these cases can become. Learn more about truck accidents.
More Changes Coming in January 2027
The course is one piece of House Bill 1878, a young-driver safety law passed in 2025. Lawmakers found that drivers ages 18 to 24 without formal training are more likely to be involved in serious crashes, and the law addresses that gap in three ways.
Right now, driver’s education is only required for new drivers under 18. Starting January 1, 2027, first-time applicants who are 18 must complete it too, and the requirement expands by one age group each year, reaching 19-year-olds in 2028, 20-year-olds in 2029, and 21-year-olds in 2030. New drivers 22 and older remain exempt.
To help with cost, the state is developing a voucher program for eligible low-income drivers, expected to launch in January 2027.
Newly licensed drivers ages 18 to 24 also face a new consequence for repeat tickets. After moving violations on two separate occasions, they must complete a safe driving course within 180 days of notice from DOL, or their license will be suspended until the course is done. Multiple tickets from a single traffic stop count as one occasion.
When a Crash Involves a Young Driver
Training helps, but even careful new drivers make mistakes. If you or your child has been hurt in a collision involving an inexperienced driver, the questions come quickly: whose insurance pays, how fault is decided, and what happens to the medical bills in the meantime. Our guide to teen driving accidents covers what families should know, and our auto accident resources walk through the claims process step by step. You can also learn whether the other driver’s insurance will pay your medical bills.
For a closer look at how young drivers factor into Washington’s most serious crashes, the Washington Traffic Safety Commission’s data dashboard breaks down the numbers by age.
Talk to a Tacoma Car Accident Attorney
The Law Offices of Michael Clark has helped injured drivers, passengers, and families throughout Western Washington for more than 30 years. There’s no fee unless we win your case. Call 253.499.7844 or contact us today.