Young Drivers: Tickets For Those Holding Permits and Intermediate Licenses

In Washington State, drivers as young as 15 years of age are allowed to apply for and obtain a permit, either a temporary permit under RCW 46.20.065, or an instruction permit under RCW 46.20.055.

Drivers as young as 16 and 17 are eligible to apply for an intermediate license under RCW 46.20.075.

Tickets issued to young drivers who have permits and intermediate driver licenses are complex for many reasons. For example, the Legislature makes frequent changes to the laws affecting young drivers. Second, violations that do not affect or have a minimal affect on adults, can result in the suspension of a permit or intermediate license up until age 18 and in some cases even beyond.

Penalties

Violating RCW 46.20.075 can result in a suspended license under RCW 46.20.267, as well as insurance premium increases for Mom and Dad. Sometimes, carriers want to drop intermediate drivers from an insurance policy. Other times, a young driver might not be able to drive to a summer or school-year job.

How Can An Attorney Help?

There are many ways an attorney who has worked with teenaged drivers can help 15, 16, and 17-year-old permit and intermediate license holders. Although a speeding ticket, cell phone violation, seat belt infraction, HOV or intermediate driver offense might seem simple, the penalties are severe and many judges are hard on young drivers. An experienced traffic attorney can help young, intermediate driver license holders and their parents to come up with ways to keep insurance low and to assist young drivers in keeping their licenses.