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State Approved Driver Training in Olympia & Lacey

Washington State Approved driver training, often called drivers ed, for teens in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and across Thurston County. Your student gets 30 hours of live classroom instruction over Zoom, 6 hours behind the wheel in one of our training vehicles, and 1 hour of observation. Exam prep for the knowledge and skills exams is included.

30 Hours of Classroom Instruction

Live over Zoom with an instructor leading every session — not pre-recorded video your student clicks through alone.

6 Hours of Behind the Wheel Training

One-on-one in one of our training vehicles, scheduled around your family. Driving lessons run seven days a week by appointment.

1 Hour of Observation

Your student rides along during another student’s lesson. Required by the state, and most students learn a surprising amount watching someone else drive.

Knowledge and Skills Exam Prep

Our exam prep courses are paid courses on their own. They are included at no extra cost with Driver Training.

Basic Driver Training Course

$ 600
plus tax
  • 30 Hours of Classroom Time over Zoom
  • 6 Hours of Behind the Wheel Training
  • 1 Hour of Observation
  • Knowledge and Skills Exam Prep Course
  • Free Attempts at the Knowledge Exam
  • Skills Exam Discount
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Washington State approved Driver Training Course for teenagers to get their license.

Basic Course w/ Discount

$ 575
plus tax
  • Everything in the Basic Driver Training Course
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Discount applies when a parent is a first responder, teacher, military or healthcare worker — or when your student signs up with a friend or sibling.
Save $25

Available Class Sessions

#157 October 19th-November 12th, 2026

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM

Saturdays and Sundays from 10:15 AM-12:15 PM

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM. No class on the 25th and 26th of November for Thanksgiving. 

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM

Ready to Enroll?

Pick a session on the left, then sign up. We’ll email a $50 deposit invoice to your parent or guardian, and from there we walk you through the permit steps and the paperwork.

Payment plans are available — you do not have to pay it all at once.

Sign Up!

Classroom Information

  • Must be at least 15 years old
  • Must create a License Express account
  • Obtain WDL number from License Express account
  • After registering, send WDL number to South Sound Driving School
  • Go to the DOL 10 days before class begins to get your Instruction Permit
  • You can also apply for a Non-Photo Instruction Permit in your License Express account
  • Class 1- Orientation and the SEE method of Driving
  • Class 2- The Rules and Signs of the Roadway
  • Class 3- Vehicle Components and Basic Vehicle Operation
  • Class 4- Parking and other Vehicle Maneuvers
  • Class 5- Intersections
  • Class 6- Vehicle Speed and Control
  • Class 7- Distracted Driving
  • Class 8- Sharing the Roadway
  • Class 9- Alcohol and other Drugs and Driving
  • Class 10- City and Rural Driving
  • Class 11- Driving on Highways
  • Class 12- Driving in Adverse Conditions
  • Class 13- Handling Emergencies
  • Class 14- Buying and Maintaining a Vehicle
  • Class 15- Review
  • Our classes take place live over Zoom. You will be sent the Zoom code for getting logged into the class 10 days before the class begins.
  • During COVID the DOL approved Driver Training Schools to conduct their classroom sessions online.
  • Very good for teens that play sports or have busy extra curricular schedules.

Behind the Wheel Information

  • Must bring the Instruction Permit to every session.
  • Be ready to learn!
  • Lesson 1- The Basics
  • Lesson 2- Parking
  • Lesson 3- Rural
  • Lesson 4- Downtown/City
  • Lesson 5- Freeway
  • Lesson 6- Practice Skills Exam
  • Will take place in a South Sound Driving School Vehicle.
  • Vehicles have dual brake systems, student driver signage, and instructor mirror.
  • South Sound Driving School has their own insurance policy.

Driver Training for Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater Families

South Sound Driving School is based in Lacey, and we teach new drivers from Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater and across Thurston County.

Classroom from homeOur classroom is live on Zoom, so your teen joins from home in Olympia, Tumwater or anywhere in the county.
Drives start in LaceyEvery behind-the-wheel drive starts and ends at our office at 4510 Intelco Loop SE, Ste A, Lacey.
Where students driveAll over Thurston County: city streets in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater, downtown traffic, roundabouts and the freeway.
Exams in the same placeWe are a State Approved testing site, so students can take the knowledge exam and skills exam at the same office.

Our students come from schools across the area, including Olympia, Capital, Tumwater, Black Hills, North Thurston, Timberline, River Ridge and Steilacoom High Schools.

Washington Driver Training Permit Process

Getting your instruction permit is one of the first steps toward your Washington State driver license. Here is the order it happens in.

  1. Sign up for a Driver Training class. Pick a session and reserve your spot with South Sound Driving School.
  2. Create a License eXpress account. This is the online pre-application with the Washington State Department of Licensing.
  3. Receive your WDL number. License eXpress issues a Washington Driver License number once your pre-application is complete. Here’s how to get your WDL number.
  4. Send us your WDL number. We need it to add you to the state roster for your class.
  5. Get your instruction permit. Students enrolled in a State Approved Driver Training course can obtain a permit starting 10 days before their class begins.
  6. Start practicing. With a permit you can drive with a licensed driver who has at least five years of experience, while you complete the classroom, observation, and behind-the-wheel portions of your course.

Already 15½ or older? You can also qualify for an instruction permit by passing the Washington State Knowledge Exam, without waiting for a class to start.

For complete permit requirements and the most current licensing information, visit the Washington State Department of Licensing.

New for First-Time Drivers Under 25

Starting November 1, 2026, first-time driver license applicants under 25 must complete a free online work-zone and first-responder safety course before they can get their license.

It is separate from our class and is completed online through the state. See who needs it and how to take it.

What Parents Ask Us

How old does my teen need to be?

At least 15 to start the class.

Can my teen take drivers ed on Zoom?

Yes. Our classroom is State Approved, and every session is taught live over Zoom by an instructor. It is not pre-recorded video. We email the Zoom details 10 days before class begins.

Do you teach students from Olympia and Tumwater?

Yes. Our classroom is live on Zoom, so students join from home, and every behind-the-wheel drive starts and ends at our Lacey office. Drives cover roads all over Thurston County, including Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater. More about how it works for Olympia and Tumwater families.

When can my teen get an instruction permit?

Once they are enrolled and have sent us their WDL number from License eXpress, they can get their permit starting 10 days before their class begins. Not sure how to get a WDL number? Here’s how, step by step.

Do you teach in Spanish?

Yes. The 6 hours of behind-the-wheel can be taught in Spanish, and we can give the skills exam in Spanish. The Zoom classroom is taught in English. Our owner, Taylor, speaks Spanish and can help Spanish-speaking parents through the whole process. Información en español.

How much does driver training cost?

$600 plus tax. The discounted course is $575 plus tax for families where a parent is a first responder, teacher, military member or healthcare worker, or when your student signs up with a friend or sibling. Payment plans are available. After you sign up we email a $50 deposit invoice. The price also covers exam prep, and knowledge exam attempts are free for our students, with a discount on the skills exam.

What car will my teen drive?

One of our training vehicles. Each one has a dual brake, student driver signage and an instructor mirror, and is covered by our own insurance policy. Lessons run seven days a week by appointment.

Do you teach students from Olympia?

Yes. Our office is in Lacey, and we teach students from Olympia, Lacey and across Thurston County. The classroom sessions are online, so your student joins from home.

Is exam prep included?

Yes. Our knowledge and skills exam prep course is included at no extra cost. So are free attempts at the knowledge exam and a discount on the skills exam.