What is a Washington license number?

When you get a Washington state ID card, a permit, or a driver's license, you'll have this number at the top of your card. If your card was issued before 2018, the license number looks something like this: SMITHJA123QZ. Since 2018, the license number format changed to look like this: WDL123ABC23B. Everyone's number now begins with WDL (which stands for Washington Driver License).


If you have a Washington state ID card, you already have this number at the top of your card. If you don't have one, you can apply for a free license number here. This number is required before you can take a knowledge or driving test.

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What is required to get a driver's license in Washington?

18 years of age or older: You must pass a state knowledge test, and then pass a state driving test. A permit is not required, but is optional if you want to (legally) practice on public roads before your driving test.


Under age 18: You must complete an approved driver's ed program, hold a permit for at least 6 months, be at least 16 years old, and passed the state knowledge and driving tests.


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I'm under age 18. Do I have to attend driver's ed to get a license?

If you want to get a driver's license before age 18, you are required to complete an approved teen driver's ed course.


If you don't want to go to driver's ed, you can get a permit as early at age 15-1/2 by passing the state knowledge test, then just hold a permit until your 18th birthday. That would be the first day you are eligible for the state driving test. Remember though, the state knowledge test results are only valid for 2 years. If you take the state knowledge test at age 15-1/2, you'll have to take it again before your 18th birthday.

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What is on the license tests? How do I prepare?

Knowledge test: This test consists of 40 multiple choice questions, and you must answer at least 32 of them correctly to pass. Driving schools are only permitted to offer the test in written form (no computers). The best and only way to prepare is to read the State Driver's Guide, which is free.


You can get one on our website here, or by visiting a DOL license office and requesting a paper copy. Please don't waste time or money on bogus online practice tests! We have seen them all, and none of them are helpful.


Driving test: The skills exam takes about 15-20 minutes and covers 5 maneuvers (that's it!). We don't drive on the freeway, and 15 minutes goes by pretty quickly! Learn more about the driving test here.

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What type of ID do I need to bring for the tests?

A photo ID is required to take a license test. It must be an original document, and not a photo of one. Generally, any photo ID that is issued by a school or government agency is acceptable, including student ID cards, passports, I-9 paperwork, permanent resident cards, military ID, prison ID card, and state ID cards. State ID cards can be expired but not more than 6 years.


If you are under 20 years of age, you can also bring just a birth certificate and a parent who is listed on the birth certificate. That parent must have their WA driver's license or US passport with them.


When you go to the DOL to get a permit or license, you may need more documentation to prove your identity. You can find the complete list on the DOL's website here.

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Do you offer CDL or motorcycle license testing?

We do not. You can find info on CDL testing options here and options on motorcycle endorsement tests here.


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Can I start driver's ed on my 15th birthday?

Yes! State law says that you must be 15 years old by the start of the 3rd classroom session. We recommend that you start classes on the first day of the course, but if you turn 15 years old on the 3rd classroom session you are welcome to start on that day (but no later).


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How do I get my permit?

If you are 15-1/2 years of age or older - Simply pass the state knowledge test (you can take it with us), then apply at the DOL for a permit. Currently, you can schedule an appointment to get an instruction permit, or get a non-photo instruction permit through License Express.


If you are enrolled in a driver's ed course - You can get a permit through the "waiver" process, which exempts you from having to pass the state knowledge test first (you'll have to take the test eventually, though). You can enroll in a driver's ed course as long as you are 15 years old by the start of the 3rd classroom session, and get your permit as early as your 15th birthday.


The waiver process works like this:

   Step 1: Sign up for the Washington license number. If you have a WA state ID card, you already have this number.


   Step 2:  Tell us the license number, and we tell the DOL that you are enrolled in a course.


   Step 3: No sooner than 10 days before the first classroom session, you can get a permit online through License Express, or by appointment at a DOL office. If you get the permit online, you can print a temporary paper permit at home and the plastic card will be mailed to you within 2-3 weeks. If you go in person, they'll give you a temporary paper permit and mail the plastic card within 2-3 weeks.


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How do the classes and driving lessons work?

Classroom sessions are held as a group, between 20 and 30 students in a class. We meet for 17 sessions that last 2 hours each (total of 34 hours). We provide the workbook, and you'll use it to follow along as we cover driving concepts and knowledge. You can miss classes if you can't make it, but they must be made up at some point in the future.


Driving lessons are held outside of the classroom sessions, and are scheduled individually. We offer driving lessons every weekday, and have some limited Saturday and Sunday lessons available in some locations. We'll help you build a schedule that works with your calendar, and won't force you to take driving lesson times that you don't want. If you cannot make it to a driving lesson, we do ask for at least 24 hours notice to avoid a $40 late cancellation fee.



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What order do I have to complete all of the steps to get a license?

There are a number of steps to obtain a driver license if you are under age 18. Some of them have to be done in order, and some do not. First, you'll need to get a permit, since you have to hold one for 6 months before applying for the driver license. During that 6 months, you can:


   • Attend and complete a driver's ed course

   • Pass the state knowledge test (must complete driver's ed classroom portion)

   • Pass the state driving test (must pass the knowledge test and driver's ed first)


The driver's ed course results do not expire. The state knowledge test results are valid for 2 years, and the state driving test results are valid for 1 year. You'll need to obtain your license within that 1 year when your driving test results are valid.


Most teen drivers follow this path:

    1) Sign up for a driver's ed course

   2) Get a permit 10 days before the first classroom session, no test required

   3) Attend driver's ed classes

   4) Take the state knowledge test once the classes end

   5) Finish the driving lessons and complete the driver's ed course

   6) Take the state driving test within 30 days of finishing the course

   7) Wait until the 6 months has passed and you are age 16 or older


Alternatively, if you are 15-1/2 years of age or older, you can take and pass the state knowledge test to get a permit that way, before signing up for driver's ed. That will start your 6-month permit countdown clock, and you can finish the other steps within those 6 months.



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Let us help with the license process!

Call or text us at 206-207-5555, or email us at drive@i5driving.com
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