A 3-minute lesson from the Washington course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Every Washington license, permit, and ID card carries an assigned Washington number that's specific to you. It often starts with the letters WDL. You need it before you can do almost anything else, starting with your instruction permit.
Know the rule
No WDL number yet? Get one at a driver licensing office or by creating a new customer account on License Express.
You're 15 and your driver training course starts June 20. Apply for your permit online or at a licensing office between June 10 and June 19 (1 to 10 days before the course), and bring your WDL number for the school's records.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What must you have before you can apply for a Washington instruction permit?
A WDL number
A Social Security card
A completed skills exam
A vehicle title
Answer: A WDL number
Every Washington license, permit, or ID card gets an assigned WDL number, and you need one before applying for an instruction permit.