How to get an instruction permit
How to get an instruction permit
In Washington State, once you are enrolled in a qualified traffic safety education course, you are eligible to obtain an instruction permit within 10 days of the start of class.
Driver's Edge needs to enroll you into the class with the Department of Licensing in order for you to obtain your instruction permit.
You will need to provide us with a Washington License number.
If you already have a Washington State ID card, this number either begins with the first 5 letters of your last name or begins with WDL.
If you don't already have a Washington State ID card, there is no need to obtain one before the next step.
Pre-apply for your instruction permit online at https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/preapply.html
NOTE: THE SCREENSHOTS BELOW ARE INDICATIVE OF AN OLDER VERSION OF THE LICENSE EXPRESS SERVICE USER INTERFACE - CURRENT INTERFACE IS SIMILAR
In Washington State, once you are enrolled in a qualified traffic safety education course, you are eligible to obtain an instruction permit within 10 days of the start of class.
Driver's Edge needs to enroll you into the class with the Department of Licensing in order for you to obtain your instruction permit.
You will need to provide us with a Washington License number.
If you already have a Washington State ID card, this number either begins with the first 5 letters of your last name or begins with WDL.
If you don't already have a Washington State ID card, there is no need to obtain one before the next step.
Pre-apply for your instruction permit online at https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/preapply.html
NOTE: THE SCREENSHOTS BELOW ARE INDICATIVE OF AN OLDER VERSION OF THE LICENSE EXPRESS SERVICE USER INTERFACE - CURRENT INTERFACE IS SIMILAR
Once there you will be guided through setting up a LicenseExpress account. Please have ready at least the following
Once this is complete you will need to log back in to your LicenseExpress account and select ‘Manage my personal driver license, ID card, vehicle, and boat licenses’
- date of birth
- address
- social security information
Once this is complete you will need to log back in to your LicenseExpress account and select ‘Manage my personal driver license, ID card, vehicle, and boat licenses’
The The License number assigned to you by the Department of Licensing will be visible in the circled area.
Once you have this number, please forward it to us either by email, phone or text or by bringing it to class. Once Driver’s Edge has this license number we will be able to use it to register you into the class in the Washington State Department of Licensing database, once we've done so you'll be able to pick up your instruction permit from a DOL office without having to take the knowledge test on the information in the Washington Driver's Guide.
When you go to the Department of Licensing office bring proof of identity
DO NOT go to the DOL to obtain a learner's permit until you have received confirmation from Driver's Edge that your information has been received and entered and that a waiver has been put into the system.
For any questions, concerns or for further information, please contact Anthony at 253-549-5336 or email at [email protected].
RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
Parent Supervised Driver Program
The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program for Washington is designed to improve teen driver safety by providing parents and guardians with a methodical approach to teaching the requisite driving skills.
Parents or guardians are responsible for making certain that their teen has completed no less than 50 hours of supervised driving.
Parents or guardians are responsible for making certain that their teen has completed no less than 50 hours of supervised driving.
Driver Licensing Checklist
Statistics and other resources
Teen Driver Safety & Parent Resources
Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for teenagers in the United States. Teen drivers (ages 16-19) have a significantly higher crash rate than any other age group, largely due to inexperience and risk-related behaviors such as speeding, distraction, and impaired driving.
Research consistently shows that active parental involvement dramatically reduces crash risk during the supervised driving phase.
Studies have found that teens with highly involved parents are:
National Safety Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Teen crash statistics, risk factors, and prevention guidance
👉 https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Crash data, vehicle safety ratings, recalls, and safety campaigns
👉 https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Research on graduated licensing, supervision, and teen crash trends
👉 https://aaafoundation.org
Washington State–Specific Resources
Washington Traffic Safety Commission
State crash data, distracted driving campaigns, and Target Zero
👉 https://wtsc.wa.gov
Washington State Department of Licensing
Intermediate Driver License (IDL) rules and licensing requirements
👉 https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-safety/safe-driving-teens
Target Zero (Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan)
Statewide goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries
👉 https://wtsc.wa.gov/target-zero/
Specialized Learning Resources
MyCarDoesWhat
Interactive explanations of modern vehicle safety features
👉 https://www.mycardoeswhat.org
Motor vehicle crashes remain one of the leading causes of death for teenagers in the United States. Teen drivers (ages 16-19) have a significantly higher crash rate than any other age group, largely due to inexperience and risk-related behaviors such as speeding, distraction, and impaired driving.
Research consistently shows that active parental involvement dramatically reduces crash risk during the supervised driving phase.
Studies have found that teens with highly involved parents are:
- 50% less likely to be involved in a crash
- Less likely to drive impaired
- More likely to wear seat belts
- Less likely to engage in distracted driving
National Safety Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Teen crash statistics, risk factors, and prevention guidance
👉 https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/teen_drivers/
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Crash data, vehicle safety ratings, recalls, and safety campaigns
👉 https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/teen-driving
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
Research on graduated licensing, supervision, and teen crash trends
👉 https://aaafoundation.org
Washington State–Specific Resources
Washington Traffic Safety Commission
State crash data, distracted driving campaigns, and Target Zero
👉 https://wtsc.wa.gov
Washington State Department of Licensing
Intermediate Driver License (IDL) rules and licensing requirements
👉 https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-safety/safe-driving-teens
Target Zero (Washington’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan)
Statewide goal to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries
👉 https://wtsc.wa.gov/target-zero/
Specialized Learning Resources
MyCarDoesWhat
Interactive explanations of modern vehicle safety features
👉 https://www.mycardoeswhat.org