Skills Test

Skills/ Drive Test Overview:

• The Skills/Drive test ensures you can legally and safely drive on the roadway.

• An examiner will ride with you to ensure that the vehicle is safe to drive. He will also ensure that you maintain control of the vehicle and obey the rules of the road.

• Applicants must pass the skills test with a score of 80 out of 100 possible points

• A passing test score is valid for one year.

• Applicants can use their personal car or school car

• All fees must be paid before the test begins. (We accept all major credit cards, cash, and money orders but no personal checks).

Eligibility Requirements

• Picture ID (e.g., government-issued ID)

• WA ID # (a number that starts with WDL and is followed by 9 randomly chosen alphabetical characters and numbers)

Vehicle Requirements

• Must have current registration and insurance proof.

• If you are required to have an interlock device, you must test in a vehicle with one.

• Valid Sr-22 insurance

• The vehicle must be legally and safely operable on public roads

• All brake lights, turn signals, and seatbelts must be functional.

• The license plate must be on both the front and back of the vehicle, with current tabs on the backplate

• No windshield crack

• Driver & Passenger side doors must open and close from inside and outside.

• The driver’s window must roll down far enough to show hand signals.

• All mirrors are required (left, inside, and right).

• If raining, windshield wipers must function, and the defroster system must work properly to defog the windows.

• Tires must meet state tread requirements (no bald tires).

Retaking Skills/ Drive test:

The applicant can retake the Skills/Drive test as many times as necessary with no waiting period to pass. However, a fee will be applied each time you take the test.

Testing Scores:

Scores for the Skills/Drive test will be reported to the Department of Licensing electronically within 24 hours. Passing the Skills/Drive test does not guarantee a driver’s license. The DOL will determine if an applicant has met all licensing requirements. The Department of Licensing reserves the right to retest applicants who complete the test through us. Retesting is done randomly and at no cost to the applicant.

• What will I be tested on?

  • Starting your vehicle

  • Controlling the vehicle, do you:

  • Use the gas pedal, brakes, steering wheel, and other controls correctly.

    • Change your speed to suit the number and speed of other vehicles, pedestrians, road conditions, weather conditions, construction, the amount of light, and the distance you can see ahead.

  • Driving in traffic, do you:

    • Use the proper lanes?

    • Signal to change lanes?

    • Change lanes carefully?

    • Follow other vehicles safely?

    • Turn your head and look back before changing lanes.

    • When turning, do you signal the proper distance?

  • Obeying traffic signals and signs, do you:

    • Turn into the proper lane without cutting the lane or going wide into the improper lane.

  • Driving through blind or crowded intersections, do you:

    • Scan carefully for signs, signals, pedestrians, and other vehicles.

    • Yield and take the right-of-way correctly?

  • Stopping

    • Do you stop smoothly and at the right spot?

    • Can you stop quickly and safely in an emergency?

  • Back up

    • Do you look over your right shoulder?

    • Can you go back in a straight line?

    • Do you control your car?

  • Judging by distance, do you stay away from:

    • Other cars when following or passing, or people walking or riding on the roadway?

  • Respecting others’ rights

    • Are you courteous to drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists?

    • Do you pay full attention to driving tasks?

  • Performing specific maneuvers, can you successfully complete all of the following?

    • Arm signals for right/left turn and slow or stop. (You may use arm signals during the test.)

    • A brake reaction test/emergency stop.

    • Parking on a hill.

    • Parallel parking.

    • Simulating backing out of a driveway or alley into traffic using a corner.

Terms and Conditions: