Washington Level 1 Defensive Driving (4 Hours)

Hassle-Free Washington 4-Hour Defensive Driving Course

We don’t want your defensive driving course to be a stressful burden – getting a traffic ticket is already a hassle, after all. That’s why our Washington Level 1 defensive driving course was designed with you in mind. If a court has informed you that you must complete a Level 1 defensive driving course for receiving a Washington traffic ticket, then you’ve come to the right place.

Online, Convenient Defensive Driving

With our Washington Level 1 defensive driving course, we try as best as we can to make it easy on you. The course is 100% online and offers freedom and flexibility for every person, regardless of their busy schedule and/or learning preferences.

• Study whenever you want – day or night, our Level 1 course is available 24/7.
• Study at home, at the library, or wherever – all you need is a computer with an Internet connection.
• Work according to your pace – take on the entire course in one session, or go through it one chapter at a time.

Don’t waste your weekend at a traditional traffic school. Take control of your course and drivers education with I Drive Safely.

A State-Approved, Comprehensive Defensive Driving Course

I Drive Safely’s Washington Level 1 course is not only flexible and easy, but it’s also the most comprehensive defensive driving course available. Fully approved by the state of Washington’s numerous courts, our 4-hour course is designed by a team of adult education experts and certified driving instructors to maximize knowledge retention while keeping things fun, engaging, and ultimately rewarding for our students. With engaging graphics, interactive animations, and entertaining audio clips, our Level 1 course is as fun as it is comprehensive.

At the end of each chapter is a multiple-choice quiz, and a multiple-choice final exam is at the end of the course. Pass all of them to officially complete the course, but if you don’t pass the first time, there’s nothing to worry about – we offer unlimited retakes on our exams. In other words, you’re practically guaranteed to pass.

Fast, Free Completion Certificate Delivery

After taking the course, you’ll no doubt want your completion certificate ASAP. We completely understand. We’ll process your information the same day and send your certificate once you complete the course. We also offer many low-priced expedited delivery options that will easily fit any driver's needs.

Customer Support Whenever You Need It

If you ever have a question regarding our Washington Level 1 course, or even a minor inquiry about Washington traffic law in general, we’re always here to answer them. Our customer support team is available 7 days a week to answer your questions. Call or e-mail our team of professionally trained driving instructors, and you’ll receive the same exemplary service I Drive Safely is known for.

We want to put the power of driver education in YOUR hands. Sign up today and make the most of it.

How to Take a 4-Hour Defensive Driving Course in Washington

Your process for taking our Washington defensive driving course can be different depending on your circumstances and reasons for taking them. Whether you need to defer a minor traffic ticket, fulfill a court order to take a defensive driving course, or earn a discount on your auto insurance rates, there are specific steps you’ll need to take before your goals are met.

To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of requirements for each circumstance. Find the scenario that best fits you, and follow the steps to traffic school success.

How to Defer a Traffic Ticket

How to Fulfill a Court Requirement

How to Earn a Discount on Monthly Insurance Rates

How to Defer a Traffic Ticket

The state of Washington does not dismiss traffic tickets, but you may be able to prevent the court from reporting your citation to the Department of Licensing (DOL), which would raise your insurance rates and stay on your driving record. You may only defer a traffic ticket once every 7 years.

1. Contact your court before your appearance date and request to defer your ticket with a defensive driving course.

To be eligible:

• Your ticket must be for a minor moving violation.
• You must NOT have deferred a ticket within the last 7 year.
• You must NOT have any other citations pending.

2. Enroll in and complete your I Drive Safely Washington Level 1 4-Hour defensive driving course.

3. Submit your completion certificate to your court by the deadline given.

Your particular court may allow you to mail your certificate of completion, or they may require you to bring it in person. Clarify your court’s specific procedures.

4. Check your driving record.

After the court processes your course completion, wait a few weeks and request a copy of your Washington driving record from the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL). You should see a ticket deferral listed in conjunction with your defensive driving course. This will also ensure that your ticket isn’t reported to your insurance company.

How to Fulfill a Court Requirement

1. Attend your court date and state your intention to complete an online defensive driving course.

Based upon your conviction and driving history, your court will refer you to take one of two different courses:

• The Level 1 4-Hour defensive driving course, for first-time minor offenders; or

• The Level 2 8-Hour defensive driving course, for habitual or serious violators

2. Enroll in and complete your I Drive Safely Washington defensive driving course.

3. Submit your completion certificate to your court by the deadline given.

Your particular court may allow you to mail your certificate of completion, or they may require you to bring it in person. Clarify your court’s specific procedures.

4. Check your driving record.

After the court processes your course completion, wait a few weeks and then request a copy of your Washington driving record from the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL). You should see a ticket deferral listed in conjunction with your defensive driving course. This will also ensure that your ticket isn’t reported to your insurance company.

How to Earn a Discount on Monthly Insurance Rates

1. Contact your insurance provider and determine your eligibility for a discount.

2. Enroll in and complete your I Drive Safely Washington voluntary driver improvement course.

Since this course is being taken voluntarily, you don’t need to worry about meeting any sort of court deadline. Take your time!

3. Submit your completion certificate to your insurance company.

Depending upon your insurance company’s requirements, you may either mail in your I Drive Safely certificate of completion, or bring it to your insurance agent.

4. Enjoy your reduced insurance premium!

Frequently Asked Questions for Washington’s Defensive Driving 4 Hour Course

Course Information

Course Information

1. Is this course approved?

Yes! Our Washington defensive driving courses are approved by individual courts throughout the state for ticket deferral. You may also qualify to earn an insurance discount by completing the voluntary driver improvement course.

2. Which defensive driving courses do you offer in Washington?

We offer 3 courses to meet the needs of every driver:

The Level 1 Washington 4-Hour Defensive Driving course — For drivers who have received a traffic ticket, and have been referred by the court to take a basic 4-hour course.

The Level 2 Washington 8-Hour Defensive Driving course — For drivers who have received a traffic ticket, and have already taken a 4-hour course; or for habitual traffic offenders who have received a court-order for an 8-hour course.

The Washington Voluntary Driver Improvement Course — For drivers who wish to improve their safe driving skills, or earn an insurance discount by completing a defensive driving course.

3. Can I get my traffic ticket dismissed?

The state of Washington does not dismiss traffic tickets, but with your court’s permission, you may defer your ticket and prevent your citation from being reported to the Department of Licensing by taking a Washington defensive driving course. This would prevent your insurance rates from rising.

4. I'm not sure if I'm eligible to take Washington defensive driving. How do I find out?

To be eligible for a defensive driving course for ticket deferral, typically you must meet the following requirements:

• Your ticket must be for a minor moving violation
• You may NOT have deferred a previous ticket within the last 7 years
• You do NOT have any other citations pending

There are no requirements for your voluntary driver improvement course.

We also have all of the eligibility requirements and steps to take for the Washington defensive driving courses listed on our How It Works page.

5. How often can I take defensive driving for ticket deferral?

The state of Washington only allows you to defer your ticket once every 7 years.

6. How long will this course take?

The Level 1 defensive driving course meets the state-required length of 4 hours. The Level 2 and voluntary driver improvement courses both meet the time requirement of 8 hours.

You may work through these courses all in one day, or spread them out over a longer period of time. So the amount of time you take to complete your course is entirely up to you!

7. What types of things will I study?

Each course is broken down into 8 chapters that focus on a single topic pertaining to Washington driving and traffic laws. These topics include:

• Highway safety
• Alcohol- and drug-impaired driving
• State traffic laws
• Driving emergencies
• Vehicle maintenance

8. Do I have to take a final exam?

Yes, you do. All of the courses feature a 40-question multiple-choice final exam, which requires an 80% score or higher to pass. If you do not pass your exam on the first try, simply retake it again!

9. What is the testing and grading policy?

Each chapter contains a quiz that reviews important content from that chapter. There are 10 questions per quiz, and you must score an 80% or higher to move onto the next chapter. You will be provided with feedback on any incorrect answers, and you may retake your quizzes an unlimited amount of times.

You will then take your final exam at the end of your course. You will need to score an 80% or higher, and you may retake the exam again if you do not pass on your first try.

10. Is there any way I can fail the course?

Absolutely not! You have unlimited retakes on your chapter quizzes and final exam, so if you fail to achieve a passing score on your first try, you may simply take it again.

11. Why does this course have timers?

This course is required by Washington law to span 4 or 8 hours in length, depending upon your reason for completing the course. To comply with this law, we (and all other online defensive driving schools) are required to place timers on each page of the course. We realize that some students may read faster than the timer will permit you to advance, but state regulations prohibit us from changing this function. The timers cannot be disabled for any reason.

12. Is there a time limit to complete this course?

Deadlines are typically determined by the Washington courts. While we allow you 180 days to complete your course before your account is suspended, the court may require you to finish your course much sooner than that. Make sure to determine your court’s deadline before beginning the course.

Regardless of court deadlines, you MUST complete the course within 180 days of registration. Any student who has not successfully completed the course within 180 days will be terminated without notice and will not be eligible for a refund.

13. Can I earn an insurance discount?

Many insurance providers in Washington will reward drivers who voluntarily complete a traffic school course by reducing their insurance premium for a certain amount of time! By taking our voluntary driver improvement course, you could save as much as 10% on your insurance rate.