Do adults need drivers ed?
Right now, no. If you are 18 or older, you can apply for a Washington license without completing a formal drivers ed course. You still pass the knowledge and skills tests. That said, the rules are shifting, and even today most adults book lessons because passing the skills test cold is harder than it looks.
The new law you should know about
Washington is phasing in a drivers education requirement so that by 2030 every new driver under 22 must take a course, starting with 18 year olds in 2027. If you are 18 to 21 and have not licensed yet, this affects you directly. We explain the timeline in the new drivers ed law guide.
Learning to drive as an adult
Plenty of people learn to drive in their twenties, thirties, and beyond, whether they never got around to it, moved from a city with good transit, or are new to the country. It is completely normal, and a good instructor makes it calm rather than embarrassing. Start with learning to drive as an adult.
How WMST lessons work
WMST adult lessons are private and one-on-one, in a dual-control car, starting at $75 an hour. You can buy single hours or packages, including options that bundle the skills test. Since we are a DOL examiner, you can train and test with the same school. Most adults need only a handful of hours to get test-ready.