Questions

There is a lot to learn when it comes to preparing to drive! Start here for the answers to some of the questions we get a lot, and if you have any more please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office at openroadyelm@gmail.com, 360-400-4110, or stop by - we’d love to talk to you about your driver’s education journey!

How do I get my permit?

There are two ways to get your permit:

If you are 15+ years old and are planning to take a driver’s education course, pre-apply here. The DOL will provide you with your unique Washington Driver’s License (WDL) number that you need to enroll in your driver training course. You will bring that number in on your first night and we will put in your waiver.
If you aren’t planning to take a driver’s education course you must be at 15 ½ years old or older and take a knowledge test. You should still pre-apply and we can schedule your knowledge test at our offices. If you do not take a Traffic Safety Education course you cannot get your driver’s license until you are 18 years old.

What is a waiver?

A waiver is documentation that a student is enrolled in a driver’s education course. This documentation is how a student obtains a Washington State Instruction Permit without first taking and passing the written knowledge test.
In order to obtain your waiver, you must pre-apply online at the DOL Website. Once you’ve done that, you’ll receive your Washington Driver’s License (WDL) number. Once you are enrolled in a Driver’s Education Course with us, we will use your WDL number to enter a waiver for you in the state computer system, typically on orientation night if we have your number before the first class. You can call or email the office to provide that information. Once we’ve confirmed your class enrollment with the State, you can obtain your permit by visiting the DOL. When obtaining your permit at the DOL, you will need to bring proof of identity, a parent or guardian, and payment.
For more info see the links below:
Instruction Permits
Steps to Getting Your First License

When can I get my permit and how long is it valid?

You’re eligible for your permit if you are 15 years old and enrolled in a drivers education course through the use of a waiver.
If you are not enrolled in a drivers education course, you must wait until you are 15 ½ and take a written test. After passing the Written Test you would be eligible to obtain your permit.
Instruction permits are issued by the DOL and are valid for one year. You may renew your permit twice for a fee.

Anything else I should know about my permit?

Your permit is valid for one year. You can renew it twice for a fee.
Your permit should arrive in 7-10 business days. If you haven’t received it after 2 weeks, contact the DOL at 360-902-3900.
To practice driving you must have your permit with you and a licensed passenger in the front seat. This person must have at least 5 years of experience driving with a valid license.
You can have passengers of any age as long as they are wearing seatbelts.
For more information about permits please visit the DOL website here.

What services do you offer?

Traffic Safety Education Courses including 30 hours of classroom instruction and 6 hours of behind the wheel instruction
DOL Written Test
DOL Driving Test
Private Driving Instruction

All of our services are open to teens and adults.

What is the Department of Licensing Website?

You can access the Department of Licensing (DOL) website here. Their website contains TONS of resources for vehicle owners, drivers, and students.

How old do I have to be to sign up for Drivers Education?

Students must be 15 years old by the first day of class.

How far in advance should I sign up?

The earlier you sign up, the more likely we can fit you into the class you want. Classes can fill up more than a month in advance and once a class is full, we can’t add any spots unless someone drops out.
All available classes can be seen here.

Are there any discounts available?

Absolutely! You can get a buddy discount of $40 off the Traffic Safety Education course by signing up with your friend, sibling, or classmate. For the buddy discount you must sign up together on the same day and attend orientation together. While bringing more friends to class is more fun, only one buddy discount can be applied per course. Contact us for more information.

What forms of payment do you accept?

You can pay online or in person for our services. We accept cash, major credit cards, debit, or apple pay (online only).

How long is the Driver’s Education Course? Is there a deadline for completion?

Washington State requires 30 hours of classroom instruction, six hours of behind the wheel instruction with a certified instructor, and one hour of behind the wheel observation with a certified instructor.
The classroom portion is usually completed in 5-6 weeks (the schedule may be adjusted to accommodate holidays), and the driving portion is generally completed 2-4 weeks after that. All classes and drives must be completed within 18 weeks of the first day of class.

What is Parent Orientation?

Parent orientation is typically held in conjunction with the first day of class. Orientation is not mandatory, but we highly recommend that parents/guardians attend so that we can share important information to help everyone succeed through the course. Students are required to attend as some of the material presented is a part of the class curriculum.

Is there homework?

Students are expected to study the Washington Driver Guide at home on their own time. Familiarity with the guide helps students be more prepared for class activities as well as for the knowledge test they will need to pass prior to receiving their Driver's license.

Do all the vehicles have a dual-brake system?

Yes, our instruction vehicles have dual brake control systems for the safety of students and instructors. Our vehicles are well maintained, equipped with all standard safety features, and are inspected periodically for safety.

What if I miss a class?

If you miss a class, you’ll have to come to the office during business hours for a make-up session or attend the missed class in the alternate class time. This time can be split into two one-hour sessions if necessary, but the full two hours must be made up in order to complete the course. There is no additional cost for make-up days. If have questions about making up missed class time, please contact us. We will work with you to find a solution.

Can I take this class online?

Washington State adopted special rules in conjunction with COVID-19 allowing driver’s education courses to be taught online. Although we belive in-person instruction better conveys the lessons, as long as these rules remain in effect, we may be able to arrange online instruction. Please contact us to check availability.

What should I bring to class?

We provide all the course materials for your Traffic Safety Education course. We suggest you bring a pen or pencil and something to take notes on. Snacks and drinks are allowed in class as long as you are respectful of those around you and you clean up after yourself. For behind the wheel lessons, please bring your permit and ensure you are wearing appropriate footwear.

How do I schedule behind the wheel lessons?

Behind the wheel driving lessons begin in conjunction with the classroom portion of the course. Drives are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and can be scheduled by with the instructor after class or by contacting the office.
Drives should be scheduled with enough time between to practice at home – typically this means no more than one lesson per week. Students may only schedule one drive per day. All drives must be completed within 12 weeks from the first class.
You must present a current permit before each drive and you will not be allowed to drive an expired permit, a copy or picture of your permit, or if you left it at home.

How do I get my driver’s license?

There are a lot of factors that go into receiving your driver’s license. Please visit the DOL Website for more information about your specific situation.
In general, if you are younger than 18, you must be at least 16 years old, be a Washington resident, have had your permit for six months, have successfully completed an approved driver’s education course and pass your knowledge and skills tests.

Is my vehicle acceptable for the drive test?

Here is a non-exhaustive list requirements for a vehicle to be able to take the Washington State drive test:

All three break lights must be functional
Proof of current insurance
No cracks in the windshield
Current tabs and registration
For vehicles registered in the state of Washington, you must have a front and rear license plate
A left-side mirror and either a rearview or right-side mirror (or both) are required
Fully functional seatbelts and windshield wipers
The driver’s side window must roll all the way down

Are all the Driver Instructors certified with the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL)?

Yes, all of our instructors have gone through extensive training to become a certified driving instructor. They must pass advanced written and driving tests with the DOL as well as have a safe driving record.

Once I have my license what are the intermediate license laws?

If you’re under 18 you’ll be issued an intermediate driver’s license. These licenses have special restrictions. For a full list please visit the DOL Website. Here are some of the highlights:

For the first six months, no passengers under 20 years old aside from immediate family members (spouse, child, stepchild, siblings).
For the next six months, no more than 3 passengers under 20 years old who aren’t in your immediate family.
You can’t drive between 1:00-5:00am unless you are with a licensed driver. There are exceptions described here.
No cell phones. Not even hands-free devices. This includes calls and texts (sending and receiving). You may only use your cell phone to report an emergency.