Quick answer
The course is required by Washington State law (ESHB 1878), which directs DOL to make sure new drivers learn how to handle work zones and situations involving first responders before they get their first license.
The goal is straightforward: fewer crashes and fewer injuries in places where one driver’s split-second decision can mean serious harm to a road worker, a first responder, or another driver.
In this article
- The law: ESHB 1878
- What the law is trying to fix
- What you’ll learn in the course
- Why the focus on new drivers
- Where to learn more
The law: ESHB 1878
ESHB 1878 is a piece of Washington State legislation that requires the Department of Licensing to add work-zone and first-responder safety training to the steps a new driver completes before being issued a first Washington driver license.
In practice, that means:
- Drivers under 25 who are applying for their first Washington driver license complete this course before DOL issues the license.
- DOL records the completion on the driver’s licensing record automatically (see How does DOL know I completed the course?).
- The course is provided free of charge, no driver pays out of pocket to satisfy the requirement.
Want to read the legislation directly?
The full text of ESHB 1878 is available through the Washington State Legislature’s website. The DOL website also publishes a summary written for the public.
What the law is trying to fix
Work zones and emergency scenes are some of the most dangerous places on the road, for the people working there and for drivers passing by. A few realities the legislation is responding to:
- Road workers, tow operators, and first responders are often standing only a few feet from active traffic, sometimes at night or in bad weather.
- A driver who reacts late, drifts a lane, or doesn’t slow down enough can cause serious harm in a split second.
- Many of these situations have specific rules, including the Move Over law and reduced work-zone speed limits, that drivers may not have learned, or may have forgotten.
Why the focus on new drivers
The under-25 focus reflects a few realities about newer drivers:
- Newer drivers, on average, have less experience reading complex traffic situations, including work zones, emergency scenes, and unfamiliar signage.
- Younger drivers are statistically over-represented in crashes nationwide, especially in higher-stakes settings.
- Reaching drivers at the start of their licensed driving, rather than years later, gives the training the best chance to stick.
If you’re trying to figure out whether the requirement applies to you specifically, see Who is required to take this course?