Driver Education

Our Commitment

Our commitment to driver safety and customer service is evident from our classes to our permit and license testing. We have expanded our staff to provide improved service hours to you, our customer. Be sure to check out our Driver Education Courses Page and our Driver Education Schedule Page for more information on our classes and schedules.

Getting Your Permit

There are some important things to understand when thinking about getting an Instruction Permit. In most cases, you can’t use a wireless or mobile device while driving. The only exceptions are to:

•  Report illegal activity
•  Get emergency help
•  Prevent injury to a person or property

You must have a licensed driver (with at least 5 years of licensed driving experience) with you, regardless of your age.

• The licensed driver must sit in the right-front passenger seat.
• In addition to the licensed driver, you can have other passengers of any age.
• Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt.

Your permit is valid for 1 year. You can renew it by visiting an office and paying the renew instruction permit fee. You may renew up to 2 more times with permission from a driver licensing office supervisor.

Your Washington permit might not be valid for driving in another state. Contact the state where you’ll be traveling to find out if they’ll honor your Washington permit.

You must have an instruction permit before you can practice driving.

Age Requirements

15-15 1/2 Years Old

• You need to be signed up for a driver training course before you can get your permit.
• Your driver training school will send us a waiver electronically so you can get a permit.
• Get your permit 1-10 days before you start your course. The 1-10 days includes holidays and weekends.
  For example, if your course starts on the 20th of the month, you need to get your permit between the 10th and 19th.

15 1/2 or Older

If you’re enrolled in a driver training course:

• Your driver training school will send us a waiver electronically so you can get a permit without taking the knowledge test.
• Get your permit 1-10 days before you start your course. The 1-10 days includes holidays and weekends.
  For example, if your course starts on the 20th of the month, you need to get your permit between the 10th and 19th.

If you’re not signed up for a driver training course yet:

• You’ll need to pass the knowledge test before you can get your permit.
• If you don’t take a driver training course, you can get a permit but you’ll need to wait until you’re 18 or older to get your driver license.

Obtaining Your Permit

Getting a Learners Permit is a fairly simple process:

• Finish your application at an office.
• If you’re taking a driver training course, be sure to do this 1-10 days before you start the course.
• You need to bring proof of identity.
  If you don’t take driver training, you’ll need to wait until you’re 18 to get your license.
• If you don’t already have a Washington ID Card, pre-apply online to save time in the office.
• Sign up for a Driver Training Course and give us your Washington ID card number or the confirmation ID number you received when you pre-applied. Once we have that info, we’ll send the State DOL a waiver, or if you’re 15½ or older and not enrolled in a driver training course yet, take the knowledge test with us.

At the DOL office:

• Pass a vision screening.
• If you brought acceptable identification documents, have your photo taken.
• Pay the instruction permit fee.

There is a new video out from the Washington State Department of Licensing addressing motorcycle awareness that EVERY driver should see. We are adding this video to our course curriculum but everyone can see it here.

A Second Look