Washington minors can get their driver license once they turn 16, but they must have completed a Driver Training Course. Spokane has several approved driver training schools, and the costs range from around $550 to $600 for courses for teens.
Finding and Paying for a Teen Driver Training Course in Spokane
Washington State requires hopeful drivers to pass a Driver Training Course if they want to receive a driver license before they are 18. The training must come from a state-approved provider. You can see a list of the Washington State Department of Licensing acceptable options in Spokane, Spokane Valley, and Cheney here.
The state does not accept online courses. Parent-taught courses are also not accepted.
The Spokane area has several companies that provide this training. Some of them have their own locations, and some businesses go into local High Schools to teach driver safety.
CCD Law checked with three different driving schools in Spokane. One charged $605 plus tax. One charged $575 plus tax. One charged $549 plus tax.
With your purchase, your child would usually receive this instruction:
- 30 classroom hours going over state-mandated curriculum
- Five hours behind the wheel
- One hour of observation while driving
- Other specialized training (some unique to each driving school)
These courses usually take around 5 weeks to complete. There are options for low-income applicants who can’t afford these costs.
What Do I Need Before I Can Take a Drivers Education Course?
In Washington, students will need a learning permit before they can take their driver training course.
The Washington State Department of Licensing goes into the requirements for getting a permit and getting legal practice time on public roads.
These are a few of the steps to getting a permit before you take your driver school course:
- Apply for a drivers license number
- Use your number to apply to a driver training course provider
- The school will alert the Licensing Department that you’ve enrolled
- Complete an online application for a permit no earlier than 10 days before your course begins
- Your permit will cost $25
- You’ll receive a temporary permit
- In seven to 10 days, you should receive a hard plastic permanent card
These are needed to get behind the wheel while you have a permit:
- Have a valid learner permit with you.
- Have a licensed driver with at least 5 years of driving experience (you may have other passengers of any age).
- You must not use a phone or other mobile device while driving, unless you need to call 911.
With these steps out of the way and a training course complete, young drivers will need to pass a knowledge and skill test. There are testing locations around Spokane, and some Driving Schools also administer these tests.
After this, drivers will be ready to apply for a real Drivers License.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer Serving Victims in Spokane and Across Eastern Washington
Young drivers are blamed for many accidents, but they are just as vulnerable to the mistakes of reckless Spokane drivers.
If your child is in a serious accident involving a careless driver, please speak with an experienced Spokane Car Accident Attorney. Your attorney battles frustrating auto insurance companies to make sure your child has the maximum in compensation for recovery.
Contact CCD Law to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation. If you require our help to earn more, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll pay a lawyer. CCD Law doesn’t get paid unless we win your case for you. Then our fee comes out of the settlement check that a car insurance company must write.