The Department of Licensing (DOL) requires individuals under the age of 18 to obtain an instruction permit and to complete a driver training education course to be eligible to obtain an intermediate driver's license. These requirements do not apply to individuals aged 18 or older.
 
Private driver training schools and some school districts offer driver training education courses.
 
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and DOL are required to jointly develop and maintain a required curriculum for school districts and approved private schools operating a traffic safety education program. The required curriculum for driver training schools and school districts providing a traffic safety education program must include the following information:

• the safe, lawful, and responsible operation of motor vehicles;
• intermediate driver's license issuance;
• passenger and driving restrictions, and sanctions for violating these restrictions;
• the effect of traffic violations and collisions on driving privileges;
• the effects of alcohol and drug use on motor vehicle operators;
• motorcycle awareness;
• bicycle safety;
• pedestrian safety;
• proper use of the left-hand lane by motor vehicles on multilane highways; and
• bicyclists' and pedestrians' rights and responsibilities and suggested riding procedures in common traffic situations.

Commercial vehicle, bus, and other large vehicle awareness is added to the required curriculum for driver training schools and school districts providing a traffic safety education program to ensure instruction in the importance of sharing the road with such vehicles.

PRO: Over last five years, the number of accidents and crashes involving commercial vehicles has increased over 7 percent, with crashes resulting in fatalities increasing over 40 percent. This is an important traffic safety bill that ensures everyone can get home safely. Recent data shows educating younger drivers is beneficial. The required curriculum should have been updated with this addition a long time ago. Most commercial vehicle crashes involve a passenger vehicle, with passenger vehicle drivers at fault 79 percent of time when the accident results in a fatality and 60 percent of the time when the accident results in a non-fatal injury. Passenger vehicle drivers often do not leave a safe distance when moving in front of a commercial vehicle and often hide in commercial vehicle drivers' blind spots. Commercial vehicle drivers have mandatory training of over 100 hours, with specific training on maneuvers around and to avoid passenger vehicles.
 
CON: The bill requirements are not contemplated in current administrative rule. There are issues when driver's education is taught virtually over Zoom.