State Approved Driver Training Course
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
-
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
Basic Course w/ Discount
-
Everything in the Basic Driver Training Course
Available Class Sessions
#157 October 19th-November 12th, 2026
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM
#158 October 17th-December 5th, 2026 (Weekend Class)
Saturdays and Sundays from 10:15 AM-12:15 PM
#159 October 27th-December 3rd, 2026
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
#160 November 16th-December 14th, 2026
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM. No class on the 25th and 26th of November for Thanksgiving.
#161 January 4th-January 28th, 2027
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM
#162 January 5th-February 4th, 2027
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
#163 February 1st-February 25th, 2027
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM
#164 February 9th-March 11th, 2027
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
#165 March 1st-March 24th, 2027
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:15 PM-8:15 PM
#156 September 22nd-October 22nd, 2026- All Full!
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4:00 PM-6:00 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.
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.
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.
- Sign up for a Driver Training class. Pick a session and reserve your spot with South Sound Driving School.
- Create a License eXpress account. This is the online pre-application with the Washington State Department of Licensing.
- Receive your WDL number. License eXpress issues a Washington Driver License number once your pre-application is complete.
- Send us your WDL number. We need it to add you to the state roster for your class.
- Get your instruction permit. Students enrolled in a State Approved Driver Training course can obtain a permit starting 10 days before their class begins.
- 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.