Please join us! Students learn best when the teachers, parents and students work together. In the parent session, we will discuss the basic requirements for driver’s ed, State requirements, graduated licensing and habit formation.
Parents are invited to attend an online parent session Zoom webinar at https://bit.ly/DDSparents (choose a date in the drop down menu).
This is both an exciting opportunity and a tremendous responsibility for your student. Let’s work together with your family to make this a safe and successful experience for all of us.
If you are not able to attend the live parent session scheduled for your teen’s course then you can watch a Zoom pre-recorded parent session. Click below to register. You will use your own contact information when registering and your student’s WT course number. Then enter the password below to login.
Please download the Defensive Driving School student app that offers more features than the web portal. Download app to track real-time lesson progress, schedule lessons, and more.
iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/defensive/id6461083731
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.goroadie.defensive.student
Select the location you want. Scroll to the bottom of the page, choose the class you want, click View More Info, select any add-on products you wish to purchase, and then select the blue Register button, fill out the required information and press Submit.
Unfortunately not. You will need to register on our site or in person. The Department of Licensing requires that we obtain a signature for the terms and conditions (either on a form or digitally). These locations allow you to register over the phone: Lake Stevens, Marysville, Millcreek, Mukilteo, and Smokey Point.
Yes, but only in the Kirkland, Lake Stevens, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, Silverdale, Smokey Point, Stanwood, and Kennewick offices (office hours vary – call location for times). All other locations are classrooms and meeting places for previously-scheduled appointments and do not have office staff who can help you.
Defensive Driving School does not issue permits or licenses; only the DOL can do that. We upload waivers for our enrolled students to the DOL’s database. Please click on this link for directions on how to obtain your non-photo permit beginning 10 days prior to class start date: DOL Non Photo Permit Instructions.
There are appointments for in-person photo permits which can be scheduled here: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/extdriveses/NoLogon/_/#1.
Students are not required to have their permit for classroom sessions, but they are required to have a permit before their first driving lesson. It is not required for students to take the Knowledge Test before the class.
For more information on how to get a permit and what documents to bring to the DOL click on this link: http://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/getpermit.html
Yes. The payment plan requires a $250 minimum deposit. To take advantage of the payment plan make sure to click on the payment plan checkbox during checkout. The balance of the course is due 2 weeks after the 1st day of class. For in-person classes the balance is due by the 1st day of class. You can pay the balance directly in Schedule Agent. Please note that drives cannot be scheduled until the class is paid in full.
If you have a teen who is neurodivergent (ADHD or Autism spectrum) and/or needs some extra help learning to drive due to anxiety or a learning disability, please consider whether this Individualized Driving Program (IDP) would benefit your student. See more info here: IDP video. If you already know your student will need an IDP you can purchase it below (select Teen Individual Driving Plan Package – all-inclusive – Consult included). If you are not sure if your student will need this and you wish to speak with our IDP Coordinator, you can purchase an IDP consult separately here to determine if your student needs an IDP: https://driving-school.com/teen-individual-driving-plan-consult/
The Department of Licensing requires students must be 15 by the first day of class. There are no exceptions.
Yes, students are allowed to miss and make-up a maximum of 3 classes. Please be mindful of your schedule and plan your other activities so you can attend classes as scheduled. If you miss more than 3 and would like to earn your completion certificate, you will need to be reinstated into a new class to start from the beginning at a cost of 75% of the original tuition.
All of our teen classes are at least 30 days long, with 30 hours of class time plus 4 hours of driver awareness training, five one-on-one driving lessons with an instructor, and one observation drive (where the student sits in the back and observes another student and instructor doing their drive). We will ask that students try to get three of those drives in before the last classroom session, but the important thing is that all the student’s drives and classwork (including any make up days or test retakes) must be done by the student’s deadline. If students are not prepared to pass their driving test on their 5th driving lesson and they would like to earn a completion certificate, they may purchase extra lesson(s) as needed to gain the required minimum driving skills. The deadline is four months from the first day of class.
Students learn the rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, what to do in hazardous road conditions, how to handle road rage, driving on the freeway and at night, driver awareness training, and more.
To schedule drives you would login at https://scheduleagent.com/login. To log you will be using the username and password you provided to us when registering for the class. If you forgot your login info you can reset it by clicking on the forgot username/password link.
To schedule a product, you will click on the green “Schedule A Drive” button or the “Calendar” link, then you will “Select a Product Type” to schedule. You will need to schedule 1 observation (preferably before your first or second drive) and 5 drives. If you purchased the Collision Avoidance course or a stick shift lesson please also schedule those for after you will have at least 10 hours of home driving practice. For all other products please contact the office to schedule.
If you owe a balance on your account you can pay directly in Schedule Agent. After you have paid in full you can schedule your drives.
View the below video for step by step instructions on how to login and schedule your drives and observation on www.ScheduleAgent.com.
Log into Schedule Agent at least 2 business days (48 hours) in advance to cancel and reschedule an appointment. For example: If you have an appointment on Monday at 3 PM, you would need to cancel the drive by Thursday at 3 PM to keep it at least 2 business days out. Any drive cancelled with less than 48 hours notice is charged as if you were there and an additional lesson will need to be purchased, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions.
Driver Awareness Training (scheduled as class DAT1 and DAT2 in Schedule Agent): This 4 hour classroom program incorporates dash cam footage of collisions and near misses to cognitively train students on how to appropriately handle hazardous driving situations. Simulations include scenarios in the city, country roads, construction areas and the freeway. Students analyze each video clip and predict what will happen based on the behaviors of other roadway users. That way when they encounter these situations on the road in real life, they will be better prepared to make a positive decision regarding their own driving.
Unfortunately, this is no longer allowed by the DOL. However, we do offer testing at all of our locations, and our students who have completed the course are eligible for a discounted package on the Knowledge Test and Skills Test. Discounted tests can also be pre-purchased and added on to a teen course registration.
We will notify students via e-mail upon completion of our course which takes about 1 week once you’ve passed all drives, tests, makeup classes, etc. Once you receive this email you can schedule your WA State exams. There’s no need to wait until you’ve had your permit for 6 months or your 16th birthday. You will receive a discounted testing package price in the course completion email (some conditions apply). Once you’ve passed your exams and have met all the other DOL requirements you can get your license. See this link for more info: DOL driver’s license info
Parents are expected to practice 2 to 4 hours in between driving lessons. Without this practice, students may need additional lessons (for an added fee) to complete the course. Please see this great resource from the DOL at the below link that helps parents learn how to supervise their teen’s driving with helpful tips on how to teach vital driving skills.
You can enroll for lessons online here or download an application, fill it out and send it to our administrative office with payment. You will schedule on www.ScheduleAgent.com. You must have a valid learner’s permit or out of state or foreign license to drive with us.
No, we cannot guarantee that you’ll do well on your DOL exam. We will teach you the skills that you need to be ticket and collision-free, but we cannot say if you will always follow what you’ve been taught.
It depends on your prior driving experience, age, skill level, ability to practice outside of instruction time and your cultural background. Our instructor can better inform you on the first lesson how many more you’ll need.
No. We will reserve an appointment time for you when we receive payment in full.
No. Because of state requirements and liabilities we require all driving lessons and skills tests to be conducted in our vehicles.
General Information: To get a Washington State driver license, applicants are required to pass a knowledge test and a driving test. Defensive Driving School is authorized by the Department of Licensing to provide both the knowledge and driving tests. In order to test with our school, applicants must first visit a Department of Licensing office or may pre-apply online. Anyone under the age of 18 years of age must have completed a Driver’s Education Course within the state of Washington. For both the knowledge and driving tests, applicants need to provide a valid WDL number issued by the Department of Licensing, along with proper photo identification. Applicants must call to confirm eligibility and availability prior to registering for driver license tests.
All locations offer the electronic knowledge test only (no paper tests). You must bring a cell phone or tablet logged into your account showing “Take an Exam”. You must have mobile data or a hotspot for your personal device to be connected to Wi-Fi for the duration of the test. Please visit this link to get more information on what to bring to the test.
To reschedule or cancel a test, customers must contact our office or login to Schedule Agent at least 2 business days before the scheduled test time. Weekends and holidays are not considered business days. If a customer cancels a test within the required time for notice of cancellation or fails to show up, they will be charged as if they were present at the scheduled time. Customers will be required to purchase an additional test if they wish to test with us. Customers must arrive on-time for the test. Any late arrivals will not be able to test.
We offer the knowledge test in these languages:
Scores for the knowledge and driving test will be reported to the Department of Licensing electronically within 24 hours. Passing the knowledge and driving test does not guarantee that an applicant will be issued a driver license. The Department of Licensing will determine if an applicant has met all licensing requirements.
By purchasing a test, the purchaser acknowledges notification of our policies and procedures regarding testing.
Knowledge Test: The knowledge test consists of 40 multiple choice questions about traffic safety laws. Applicants must answer at least 32 questions correctly in order to pass the test. Applicants will be given a maximum of 35 minutes to complete the test. Applicants who arrive late for their scheduled tests will not be allowed to test. The knowledge test will be offered at specific times at select locations. For those who believe they will need more time to complete the knowledge test, we recommend going to one of the Department of Licensing offices where they offer testing (Lynnwood, North Bend, Tacoma, Poulsbo). We also offer a private knowledge test where the applicant will have 55 minutes to test (call the office for details and price). For a knowledge test study guide click here.
Skills Test: The driving test will test an applicant’s ability to drive legally and safely. Applicants must pass the driving test with a score of 80 or better out of 100 possible points. Applicants who arrive late for their scheduled tests will not be allowed to test. For more information on what applicants will be evaluated on, please visit the Department of Licensing’s driving test page or see the skills test study guide here.
Applicants will use our vehicles for the skills tests. Our cars are midsize sedans with automatic transmissions. If using our car, applicants are encouraged to schedule either a 30 minute warm-up session with skills test or a lesson prior to the test to become comfortable with the operation of the vehicle.
The following requirements must be met if applicants elect to use their own vehicles for the driving test (only available at certain locations and by special request – call ahead to inquire):
Driving tests will be provided in English, unless prior arrangements have been made. Due to Department of Licensing regulations, interpreters are not allowed on driving tests. If a test ends early because the applicant is unable to follow the directions of the examiner, there will be no refund.
If an applicant has a physical disability (even temporarily) the Department of Licensing must conduct the skills examination.
For current test pricing and registration, please see: https://driving-school.com/driver-license-testing-for-knowledge-and-skill-tests/
Starting 10 days prior to the class start date, teens can apply for a learner’s permit as long as they have supplied us with the correct WDL number. You can get a non-photo permit when you log into your License eXpress DOL account OR you visit a DOL licensing office to get a permit with your photo on it. Note: getting a photo permit now will make it easier to get your license later (online) without needing to visit a DOL office at that time. At least ONE in-person visit to the DOL is necessary before licensure (to show ID, take an eye test and get a photo taken). DOL Non Photo Permit InstructionsYou can make an appointment to get your Photo permit at https://www.dol.wa.gov/appointments/. In-person appointments are limited and fill up fast so schedule today.
The new ID law for air travel goes into effect on May 7, 2025. Prepare now to make sure you are covered.
Here are a few ways you can study for the knowledge test:
1) Study the Washington State Driver’s Guide. This is the document the test is based on. We’ve compiled a list of Numbers to Know that you should study. There will most likely be at least 4-5 road signs on the test, 2-3 questions regarding alcohol and driving and 1-2 questions on drugs/marijuana. Also, the term “inattention blindness” means distracted driving.
2) Take the DOL Practice Test. There are five questions that will give you an idea of how the test questions are formatted.
3) Study the Knowledge Test Quizlet. If you need more help studying, see the Knowledge Test Prep course below.
4) Enroll in our online Knowledge Test Prep course. This course focuses instruction on the Driver’s Guide concepts and includes over 100 test questions to ensure you’ve learned the material and will later pass the Knowledge Test on the first attempt.
Please Note: The Washington State Knowledge Test has 40 questions on it and you must score at least 80% to pass.
To register for the Knowledge Test click here.
After passing the Knowledge Test, you’ll be eligible to take the driving Skills Test. Watch videos about what will be tested in the Skills Test Here.
For a printable Knowledge Test Study Guide click here.
For a printable Numbers to Know click here.
After passing the Knowledge Test, you’ll be eligible to take the driving Skills Test. Watch videos about a few of the test maneuvers here.
If you’d like to add a warm up drive before your test, please call our office or register on our website here. If registering online, please use the same username/password that you set up originally so that all of your services are listed under the same login.
What’s on the driving Skills Test?
HELPFUL HINT! REMEMBER THE FOUR “B”S:
BREATHE: Everyone is anxious about the driving test. Take a breath whenever possible and relax.
BRAKES: Full stops are required! Even after we remind people about this – it’s still VERY common!
BLINKER: Use your tum signal whenever moving to/from the side of the road & changing lanes.
BLINDSPOT: Look over your shoulder whenever moving to/from the side of the road & changing lanes
For a printable copy of this information please click here: Skills Test Study Guide
Yes, we offer the 4 hour Safe Driving Course. The level 1 (4 – hour) online self-paced course satisfies the Washington State Requirement for those who are required to take the Safe Driving Course. Upon completion, applicant will receive a course completion certificate and we will notify the Department of Licensing of the course completion.
You can register here:
Yes. Many other states approve our courses, as well. Check with your out-of-state court to know if they approve us.
Many insurance companies offer defensive driving class discounts. Call your specific company and ask them how they apply discounts for driving classes to your policy and premium.
Every judge is different. With many of our students the judges have deferred the ticket so that it does not appear on your driving record as long as you don’t have a second offense.
Students bring their own vehicles to a course at Bellevue College or Arlington Ultralight Center on certain Saturdays. Students will learn the limits of their vehicle on a closed track and learn how to respond quickly to hazards. The Advanced Collision Avoidance Training begins with a short briefing on what you’ll be doing during your session, as well as key terms and phrases you’ll hear from our instructors. Then you head into the real “classroom” – behind the wheel of your own vehicle. There, you start off with a simple but crucial slalom driving exercise, fine-tuning your steering and vision techniques. Next up you’ll practice emergency braking, learning how to stop your vehicle as quickly as possible. Finally, you’ll put your newly-developed skills to the test in a simulated collision avoidance exercise, where you’ll practice braking and steering to avoid an obstacle. All of this will be conducted in a safe environment where you’ll learn the limits and abilities of yourself and your vehicle.
Surviving today’s roadways are a challenge – and it seems as though it will only get worse as more and more distracted drivers crowd our busy streets and highways. In 100 minutes, during our Advanced Collision Avoidance course, you’ll learn how to not only survive this challenge, but feel confident in doing so. Driving your own vehicle, you’ll practice and develop critical emergency braking and collision avoidance skills.
Click to sign up here.
Yes, we have stick lessons available out of our Kirkland location. You may sign up for one or several, depending on what skills you desire to learn. We use our vehicle which is equipped with a dual clutch, so you don’t have to worry about ruining the transmission in your own car.
Sign up for stick shift lessons here: https://driving-school.com/stick-shift-training/
