FAQ
What is the website for the Department of Licensing?
The Department of Licensing is usually referred to as the DOL, and their website can be found here: Department of Licensing Website
How do I get my Permit or License?
There are many factors that determine what you need to do in order to obtain your permit or license, but the links below give a detailed list of instructions to point you in the right direction. If you need further clarification, you may call or text the office, and they will help you figure out your personal situation.
How to get your Driver's License
How to get your Instruction Permit
Proof of Identification Needed
Pre-Apply for Instruction Permit
What to do if my child just moved to the state of Washington?
If you have a student under the age of 18 who has moved from out of state, they will still need to complete a Driver’s Education Course, pass the WA Written Test, and the WA Drive Test before they will be eligible to obtain their WA State License. If they completed a Driver’s Education Course in another state, you must contact the DOL in order to confirm whether or not they will accept that course in place of a WA Driver’s Education Course.
What services do we offer?
Washington State approved Traffic Safety Education
Class instruction focused for teens but also open to adults
Private Driving Instruction for Teens and Adults
Written Test
Driving Test
What are the vehicle requirements for the drive test?
Below is a list of the most common issues that may disqualify you from using your own vehicle for the Drive Test, but please note that not every single requirement may be listed below. For example, your car must have four inflated wheels, but common requirements such as this will not be listed below.
All three brake lights must be functional
There may not be any cracks in the windshield
There must be current proof of insurance
Tabs and registration must be current
If the vehicle is registered in WA state, both a front and back license plate are required
A usable left side mirror, and either a rearview or right-side mirror or both
Working seatbelts
Working windshield wipers
A driver’s side window that rolls all the way down
How frequently are classes offered?
Classes are offered about once a month, while more classes are usually offered during Summer. Weekend classes are sometimes offered based on the demand of enrolled students, but the best way to see upcoming classes is to check our Class Signup page.
What should I bring to class?
Aloha Driving Schools provides all course material. It is recommended that each student brings a writing utensil, something to take notes on, and a positive learning attitude to each class. Permits and appropriate driving footwear are required for each Behind The Wheel lesson.
What methods of payment are accepted?
Cash, checks, and debit/credit cards are accepted.
Can I get a refund?
Written Tests are fully refundable if the test has not been taken yet.
Driving Tests are fully refundable if canceled at least 24 hours in advanced.
Classes are refundable if requested before the first day of class minus a $30 processing fee.
Can my child bring a snack?
Yes, food and drinks are allowed in the classroom as long as it’s not disruptive to class, and the student cleans up after themselves.
What is parent orientation? Do I need to attend?
Your parent orientation is generally held on the Monday evening before the first day of class from 7pm-8pm. Although this orientation is not mandatory, it’s highly recommended that parents/guardians attend as there is important information to help the student and parent succeed through this course. As this time is for the parents/guardians to learn about the course and what their role in supporting their student through the course will be, we ask that students do not attend.
Do you have any discounts?
Yes, students may obtain a buddy discount, a sibling discount, or a military discount. All discounts are $30 off the drivers education course, and only one discount may be applied for. For the buddy discount, the students must sign up on the same day and time. Contact the office if you have any questions.
How do you schedule behind the wheel instruction lessons?
Behind the Wheel (BTW) driving lessons, referred to more commonly as drives, are scheduled concurrently with the classroom portion of the course. Drives are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and can be scheduled online or by contacting the office.
Students must present a current instruction permit before each drive and will not be allowed to schedule drives without an instruction permit. Students are not allowed to drive with an expired permit or with a copy/picture of their permit.
Driving lessons should be scheduled with enough time between for students to practice what they learned at home, and it is highly recommended that drives are spaced a week or more apart. Students are only allowed to schedule a maximum of one drive per day.
How old do you have to be to enroll in Drivers Education?
The student must be 15 years old by the first day of class.
How long does it take to complete the course and is there a course deadline?
Each course requires 30 hours of classroom time, one hour of Behind The Wheel (BTW) Observation with a certified instructor, and six hours of BTW Instruction with a certified instructor. The classroom portion usually finishes after 5 weeks of classes, and the driving portion generally finishes within 2-4 weeks after that. Classes MUST be finished within 18 weeks of the first day of class.
Is there homework or any tests?
Yes, there is usually around fifteen minutes or less of homework each night. Homework will be collected and graded as part of passing the course. There is a total of ten tests that must each be passed in order to complete the course. If a test isn’t passed the first time, it may be retaken as many times as necessary free of charge, but it must be passed in order for a student to complete the course.
Can I take this course online?
No, normally the DOL does not allow for online driving courses. There is currently an exception to this rule, and many classes are taught online while the drives are still done in person.
Check the online schedule to see which classes are currently online and which are in person. Please note that while currently unlikely, some online classes may be forced to switch to in person classes as per the DOL’s requirements.
How far in advance must I sign up for the course?
The earlier you sign up for the courses, the better. Classes are open to registration until they are filled or the day before the first day of class. Classes usually fill a month or more in advance, and once class is filled, no additional spots may be opened for that class unless another student drops out. All currently available classes can be found on our signup page: Class Signup
Are all the driver instructors certified with the Department of Licensing (DOL)?
Yes, all instructors go through extensive training to become a certified driving instructor. They must also pass an advanced written and a driving test with the DOL, as well as have a safe driving record. All instructors have gone through background checks and take continuing education courses in order to give the best instruction possible.
Do all vehicles have dual brake control SYSTEMS?
Yes, all of our instruction vehicles have dual brake control systems for the safety of the student and instructor. The vehicles are all equipped with airbags, anti-lock brakes, and other standard safety systems. Vehicles are well maintained and inspected periodically for safety.
What happens if I miss a class?
If a student misses a class, they will have to come into the office during office hours. They do not need to schedule this time, and if they prefer, they can split this make up time into two one-hour sessions, but they do need to make up the full two hours of class time they missed. There is no cost for the makeup days.
When is my teen ELIGIBLE to get their permit? How long is it valid?
Teens are eligible to get their permit at age 15 IF they are enrolled in a drivers education course through the use of a waiver. If the teen is not enrolled in a drivers education course they must wait until they are 15 1/2 and then must take the Written Test. After passing the Written Test, they will be eligible to obtain their permit. The instruction permit is issued at the DOL and lasts for one year.
What is a waiver?
A waiver is online documentation that a student is enrolled in a driver’s education course. This documentation is the only way a student may obtain a WA State Instruction Permit unless they take and pass the Written Test.
In order to obtain this waiver, you must pre-apply online at the DOL’s website. After following their process, you will obtain your Washington Driver’s License number, also referred to as a WDL number. Once you are enrolled in a Driver’s Education Course, our office will need that WDL number in order to enter your waiver for you. You can call or email the office in order to give us your WDL number, but generally texting is the easiest way to send us this number. Once we’ve given you confirmation that we’ve received the number, you can obtain your permit by visiting the DOL NO SOONER THAN TEN DAYS BEFORE YOUR FIRST DAY OF CLASS. When obtaining your permit at the DOL, you will need to bring proof of identity, a parent or guardian, and payment.
Pre-Apply for Instruction Permit
Proof of Identification Needed