Commonly misunderstood terms
I.D.: Washington Identification Card - this card DOES NOT allow you to drive on public roads legally; it is exactly what it says it is: an Identification Card.
Permit: This document/card is for people who are learning how to drive; it DOES NOT allow you to drive by yourself.
Final Drive: For students going through our Driver’s Ed class, this is your last drive WITH YOUR INSTRUCTOR, NOT THE DRIVE TEST.
Drive Test: Also called the Skills Exam, this is the Washington state-level test that judges your roadworthiness. THIS IS NOT CALLED “FINAL DRIVE.”
Written Test: Also called the Knowledge Exam, this is the test that must be passed before attempting the Skills Exam; it has 40 questions and will be done at A-1 School of Driving with an iPad.
Student Drives: These are the drives that the student completes with an instructor; there are 6 in total.
Missed Drive Fee: This is the $30 fee that is charged when a student doesn’t show up for a scheduled drive with their instructor, without telling them beforehand. It must be paid BEFORE re-scheduling the missed drive.
When and how do I get my permit?
You get your permit 10 DAYS BEFORE CLASS STARTS, NO EARLIER! You will not even be able to complete the DoL form if you’re trying to get it before that 10 day threshold. If you want to get it before the 10 days, you have to pass the Washington Knowledge Exam (written test) anyway.
If you’re trying to get your permit during your 10 day window, you must get your DLN/WDL Number first (follow instructions in this picture):
Then, you can get your permit online, or in person at the DoL. Click this button to go to the page that helps you through the process of getting your permit.
What do I need to be able to take my Knowledge Exam (Written Test)?
You need photo identification - this can be an I.D. card from any state, an Instruction Permit, a passport with picture, Birth Certificate (has to be an original). You will need $30. YOU WILL NEED A LICENSE EXPRESS ACCOUNT. Save yourself time and hassle by creating a License Express account before coming in by clicking this button right here —>
Do I need an appointment for my Knowledge Exam (Written Test)?
Nope, you can walk into our office any time before one hour before we close and take your written test for $30. In short, you do not need an appointment.
Do I need an appointment for my Skills Exam (Drive Test)?
Yes, you do need to schedule an appointment for your drive test. Call us or come in to see us to set up your appointment. (You must pass your written test before attempting your drive test).
What do I need to be able to take my Skills Exam (Drive Test)?
You need photo identification - this can be an I.D. card from any state, a Driver’s License from any other state, an Instruction Permit, a passport with picture, Birth Certificate (has to be an original). You will need $65 if you’d like to drive one of our cars, or $40 to drive your own car (make sure to bring your registration and proof of insurance into the office with you - your car has to have valid tabs, all 3 brake lights MUST WORK, and the glass can’t have any severe cracks in it).
What do I need to be able to sign my kid up for Driver’s Ed?
It will cost $525 for the course; you only need $260 to register your kid in the class. The other half must be paid by the end of the first week of class. You need to know your kid’s age, address, grade in school, phone number, e-mail and the school they go to, so that you can fill out the packet correctly with the payment. That’s it!
What will we be doing during the instructor drives?
There are a total of 6 drives for the class, and they DO NOT NEED TO BE FINISHED BEFORE THE IN-CLASS PORTION OF THE COURSE.
1st drive: getting to know things - getting used to the car, going over the tests, understanding the requirements, and a little bit of driving at the end.
2nd drive: Backing around a Corner and Turnabouts.
3rd drive: Parallel Parking and Hill Parking.
4th drive: Country drive.
5th drive: Downtown/Freeway drive.
6th drive: Final drive! Walkthrough of all the skills that will be part of the skills test.
How old do I have to be to take Driver’s Ed?
You must be 15 by the time the first day of class begins.
Is there an age requirement for the knowledge exam?
Yes, you must be 15 years and 6 months old before you can take the knowledge exam unless you have passed a driver’s education course.
Is there a time limit for the knowledge test?
There is no time limit to complete the test. However, you must finish the exam by the end of office hours.
What are the testing hours?
Testing begins as soon as we open the office, test registration ends one hour before we close to allow adequate time to complete the test.
How do I schedule drives?
You will schedule your first drive IN CLASS during the first week. It is part of the course. Every drive after that will be scheduled with your in-car instructor at the end of each drive.
Do I have to wait 6 months to get my Driver’s License?
If you are under 18 you have to wait 6 months from THE DATE THAT YOU GOT YOUR PERMIT to be able to get your License. Of course, you must pass both state level exams, as well.
Is the 100 question test at the end of the course the Washington state-level Knowledge Exam (written test)?
NO, the Knowledge Exam and the 100 question test at the end of Driver’s Ed are TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS. We are trying to prepare you for the written test, so we ask 100 of the most commonly asked questions at the end of the course, so that you are ready for the Knowledge Exam (written test). The Knowledge Exam is only 40 questions.
Do I have to take a class before I take the Skill Test?
That depends on your age, if you are under 18 years old then you must complete a Driver’s Ed program before you schedule the Skills Exam. If you are 18 years or older, you do not have to take a class to take the skills exam.
Do you still have questions after checking out the page?
Give us a call at (509) 965-5874