Your First Year Rules
Ages 16-18: Key restrictions that keep you safe while you build skills
👥 Passenger Restrictions - RCW 46.20.075(2)
"For the first six months after issuance of an intermediate license or until the holder reaches 18 years of age, whichever occurs first, the holder may not operate a motor vehicle carrying any passengers under the age of 20 who are not members of the holder's immediate family."
NO passengers under 20 (except family) Maximum 3 passengers under 20 (except family) Unlimited passengers!
At months with your license
✅ RCW 46.20.075(9) - "Immediate Family"
Legally defined as:
- • Spouse or domestic partner
- • Child, stepchild, grandchild
- • Parent, stepparent, grandparent
- • Brother, half-brother, sister, half-sister
- • Foster children living in the household
- • The spouse/partner of any of these persons
❌ Why This Rule?
- • Crash risk up 44% with 1 passenger
- • Doubles with 2 passengers
- • Quadruples with 3+ passengers
- • Peer pressure affects decisions
✅ Good News: After 12 months with your license, passenger restrictions END! You can drive with unlimited passengers and the night driving restriction (1am-5am) also ends.
⚡ Special Exemptions - RCW 46.20.075
🌾 RCW 46.20.075(7) - Agricultural Exemption:
"An intermediate licensee may drive at any hour without restrictions on the number of passengers in the vehicle if necessary for agricultural purposes."
🏆 RCW 46.20.075(8) - Clean Record Provision:
"An intermediate licensee may drive at any hour without restrictions on the number of passengers if, for the 12-month period following issuance, he or she:"
- • (a) Has not been involved in an accident involving only one motor vehicle
- • (b) Has not been involved in an accident where cited or found to have caused it
- • (c) Has not been involved in an accident where no one was cited
- • (d) Has not been convicted of or found to have committed a traffic offense
Perfect record = Early freedom!
Enumclaw Reality: With friends asking for rides to Enumclaw Expo Center, Downtown Enumclaw concerts, or Green River College games, saying "no" is tough but necessary. Your life > their convenience.
🌙 Night Driving Restrictions - RCW 46.20.075(3)
"The holder of an intermediate license may not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. except (a) when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 25 years of age, or (b) for school, religious, or employment activities."
No Driving 1 AM - 5 AM
For your first 12 months with an intermediate license
🟢 Green = OK to drive | 🔴 Red = Restricted hours
⚠️ RCW 46.20.075(3) Exceptions
You CAN drive 1-5 AM if:
- • (a) Accompanied by licensed driver 25+ years old
- • (b) For school, religious, or employment activities
- • (b) For immediate family member's activities
🚨 Why 1-5 AM?
- • Most dangerous hours statistically
- • More impaired drivers on roads
- • Fatigue severely impairs judgment
- • 50% of teen fatal crashes at night
Enumclaw Night Dangers: Late-night rain, poorly lit streets in residential areas, bar closing time (2 AM) drunk drivers, and fatigue from long school/work days make these hours especially deadly.
📱 Wireless Device Ban - RCW 46.20.075(4)
"The holder of an intermediate license may not operate a moving motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device unless the holder is using the device to report illegal activity, summon medical or other emergency help, or prevent injury to a person or property."
Absolutely NO Wireless Device Use Until Age 18
Not even hands-free. Not even at red lights. NEVER.
No Calls
Even with Bluetooth
No Texts
Voice-to-text included
No Apps
GPS, music, everything
⚡ RCW 46.20.075(4) Exceptions ONLY:
You may ONLY use a wireless device to:
- • Report illegal activity
- • Summon medical or emergency help
- • Prevent injury to a person or property
RCW 46.20.075(5): "It is a traffic infraction" - Police CAN pull you over!
$136+
First offense fine
$234+
Second offense
Enumclaw Enforcement: Enumclaw Police and King County Sheriff patrol the area, including school zones and SR-410. Washington State Patrol contacts thousands of distracted drivers annually statewide. In 2024, SR-410 near Enumclaw saw multiple fatal crashes. Don't become a statistic.
These rules apply for your FIRST YEAR with an intermediate license (ages 16-18)
Remember: These aren't arbitrary rules - they're based on decades of crash data. Following them reduces your crash risk by up to 40%. That's the difference between making it home and becoming a statistic.