Teen Driving Policy - Seattle Driving Academy

Teen Driver Ed Policy

Seattle Driving Academy (SDA) provides a comprehensive Teen Driver Education Program approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). The following policies are designed to ensure compliance with state law and to provide a safe, respectful, and effective learning environment for all students.

Course Overview and Eligibility

The Teen Driver Education course runs for a minimum of 35 days.
Students must be at least 15 years old by the first classroom session.
Enrollment closes after the third scheduled class session.
Per Washington DOL requirements:
- A minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction (maximum 2 hours per day).
- A minimum of 5 hours of behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction (maximum 1 hour per day).
- 4 hours of Driver Improvement Program (DIP) instruction in lieu of a 6th BTW session.
- A minimum of 1 hour of behind-the-wheel observation.
The full course must be completed within 12 weeks.

Parent/Guardian Participation

A parent or guardian must attend “Parent Night,” which takes place during the first hour of the first class session.
Parents are encouraged to participate in ongoing student progress, driving practice, and communication with instructors.

Attendance and Completion Requirements

Students must attend all sessions to meet state requirements.
No more than three (3) absences are permitted for illness or emergency, and all missed sessions must be made up.
Missing more than three sessions will result in withdrawal without refund.
Both classroom and behind-the-wheel components must be completed with a minimum score of 80% to be considered passing.

Course Assessment and Completion

Passing grades for both the classroom and BTW sections are 80% or higher.
Students scoring below 80% will be given one opportunity to retake the exam.
If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the student must retake the entire course and pay the full tuition.
Once both sections are successfully completed, SDA will electronically report completion to the DOL. Certificates are no longer issued.

Payment and Refunds

Full payment is due at the time of registration.
SDA accepts all major credit cards.
NSF checks will incur a $50 administrative fee, which must be paid in cash before continuing classes.
There are no tuition refunds after the first class session.
Refunds before the first class are subject to a $50 processing fee.
No-show, late arrival, or incomplete payments may result in lesson forfeiture and/or additional fees.

Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Lessons

Students must obtain a learner’s permit from DOL within the first week of class.
Drive One must occur during the second or third week of the course.
BTW lessons must be completed within 3 months of payment.
Showing up without a permit or valid photo ID is a no-show, subject to a fee. (Digital photos are not accepted.)
Cancellations or reschedules must be made 48 hours in advance.
- Missed drives or late arrivals (over 10 minutes) will incur a $75 no-show fee, payable before scheduling further drives.
SDA instructors may arrive up to 15 minutes late due to previous drives; students are expected to wait during this window.
Students appearing under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be dismissed immediately without refund.
Extra practice drives may be arranged at $75 per hour.
Driving performance is rated on a 4-point scale (4 = Substantial Mastery; 3 = Adequate Mastery). Students must achieve 3 or higher to pass.

Behavior and Conduct

Respectful behavior is expected at all times.
Electronic devices (cell phones, music players, etc.) must be turned off during all classes and BTW sessions.
Vandalism, cheating, disruptive behavior, or intoxication will result in immediate dismissal without refund.
Students are responsible for damage to equipment or materials caused by misuse or negligence.

Media and Cameras

Instructional vehicles may be equipped with video cameras for safety and training purposes only.
Recordings are retained for up to 30 days unless an incident report is filed.
By enrolling, students and parents consent to video recording of drives.
SDA may take class photos for use on its website or social media. Parents may request exclusion of their teen from these photos.

Curriculum and Content

The course may include graphic safety videos intended to highlight the consequences of unsafe driving.
These materials are for educational purposes and not intended to frighten students.
Upon request, parents may receive a copy of the course outline.

School Rights and Scheduling Changes

SDA reserves the right to adjust class or drive schedules due to weather, instructor illness, vehicle maintenance, or other unforeseen events.
Students and parents will be notified as soon as possible.
The school reserves the right to deny service to individuals who fail to comply with policies or state driving laws.

DOL Licensing Requirements

To qualify for an Intermediate Driver’s License in Washington State, students must:

Be 16–18 years old with parent/guardian consent.
Show proof of completion of an approved driver education course (30 hours classroom + 5 hours BTW).
Pass vision, knowledge, and skills tests.
Hold an instruction permit for at least 6 months.
Complete 50 hours of supervised driving (10 hours at night).
Have no pending tickets or traffic violations within the last six months.
Have no drug or alcohol offenses while holding a permit.
Provide a Social Security number or signed declaration if unavailable.

Intermediate License Restrictions

No driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult (age 25+).
First 6 months: No passengers under 20 except immediate family.
After 6 months: Up to three passengers under 20 permitted.
No cell phone use while driving except in emergencies.

Violations and Penalties

First violation: Restrictions extended until age 18; warning letter issued.
Second violation: License suspended for 6 months or until age 18.
Third violation: License suspended until age 18.

At age 18, the license automatically converts to a basic driver’s license.

Non-Discrimination Policy

As a contractor for the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), Seattle Driving Academy complies with all state and federal non-discrimination laws.
We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, income, or limited English proficiency.
If you believe you have been discriminated against, please contact SDA at info@seattledrivingacademy.com or request a Discrimination Complaint Form at the front desk.