We're updating our system and online purchases will be down for a few days.
Please contact the CDX team for assistance with purchasing and scheduling.
Knowledge Exams – In-Person Only
- Sessions are held once per week on various days and times
- Phones and doors will be locked during exam sessions
- Electronic exams: Taken on Phone or laptop
Location & Appointment Entry Instructions
Tacoma Armory Building
1001 S. Yakima Ave, Suite #6A, Tacoma, WA 98405
- When arriving for an appointment, enter from the North (By Jail) or South side of the building (By Bates College)
- Use the black call box on the wall
- Select "Business Directory"
- Choose "Complete Driving Exp."
- We will buzz you in
- If there's no immediate response, please be patient and try again
Important Reminders
- Phones are turned off during exams, classes and CDX staff lunch
- Leave a voicemail or send us an email—we'll respond as soon as possible!
- All registration and scheduling must be completed online
- Prices and availability subject to change
Fees and Policies
$50 fee and/or loss of DOL exam registration for:
- No-shows
- Late cancellations
- Late arrivals
- Arriving without a valid ID/permit
No exceptions.
Get Ready to Drive!
Click here to apply for your Washington Instruction Permit and WDL #
Practice for the DOL WA State Knowledge Exam
Driving Lessons & Study Materials Available
Download
the Zutobi App – your all-in-one driving school tool!
Upcoming Knowledge Exam
Next exam July 13th, 2025 at 3pm
$45 – 1 attempt | $125 – Knowledge + Skills Exam (1 attempt
each)
Register online now! EXAM IS ELECTRONIC AND TAKEN ON PERSONAL DEVICE - REQUIRED TO HAVE ACCESS
TO D.O.L. LICENSE EXPRESS WEBSITE-PRIOR TO ENTRY OF EXAM -
https://secure.dol.wa.gov/home/
Vote for Us in Best of Pierce County 2025!
Complete Driving Experience has been nominated as one of the best businesses in Pierce County. Your vote means a lot to us! Scan the QR code to cast your vote and help us win.
Services
CDX staff are certified and specialize in training Neurodivergent drivers behind the wheel
Webinar for Parents of Special Needs Drivers
Behind the Wheel with ADHD is offering a professional webinar geared towards the parents of special needs drivers. The webinar will give you peace of mind and keep your teen with ADHD safe when driving behind the wheel.
You Will Learn About:
- Specific tools and strategies to help mitigate risks and confusion while driving.
- The special dangers of distracted driving for teens with ADHD.
- How to use the coaching approach to work more effectively with your teen that has ADHD.
- The latest available technologies for mitigating distractions.
- Stimulant medications and how they impact driving competency.
The webinar is in 3 modules, each of which lasts 50 minutes. Module 1 focuses on risks in driver safety, specific skill training and cognitive routines. Module 2 focuses on specific strategies and recommendations for parents coaching their teens. The 3rd and final module is a detailed presentation of useful resources and recommendations from professionals on implementing coaching strategies.
For more details about the course, visit the webinar site here.
Accommodations
- Free consultation
- Parking available
- Wheelchair accessible
- Debit & Credit Cards accepted
- By appointment only
- Wifi on the premises
- Bike parking available
- Black-owned
- Female-owned
- Family-owned
- Payment arrangements accepted
- Healthy Snacks offered
- Secured Classroom
- Weekend drives available
Scrapbook
Google Reviews
we're on yelp
review us on yelp
Frequently Asked Questions
You need to be at least 15 years old and enrolled in a driver training course. If you're not planning to take a course, you must be at least 15 ½ years old and pass the knowledge test.
You can visit an office or complete your online application for a permit 10 days or less before the course starts. This will allow your school to inform DOL that you're enrolled. This includes weekends and holidays. Give your WDL number to your driving school.
Washington permits, ID cards, and licenses use a number that starts with WDL. This number is unique to you. You may already have a WDL number if you have a valid or expired WA ID card, already filled out an application on our website, or you've gotten a ticket in the past. If you don't have a WDL yet, we'll assign one to you when you pre-apply.
If you are enrolled in a driver training school program, the school will submit a waiver to DOL that delays the knowledge test for the instruction permit. If you are not enrolled in driver's ed you will need to pass the knowledge test before you can get an instruction permit. You can also choose to take the knowledge test, even if you are enrolled in driver's ed.
You can apply for a non-photo instruction permit online without visiting a licensing office. If you want your permit to include a photo, you must apply for your permit at the licensing office. Learn more about applying for a first time instruction permit.
The permit is valid for 1 year. You can renew it twice for a fee.
You need to prove your identity in person. If you have a valid WA ID card, you don't need to do this again. We'll need to take your picture in one of our offices, or we can use a recent photo of you if we have one on file.
No. You can keep your WA ID card and get a non-photo instruction permit, or you can surrender your ID card and get a photo instruction permit.
No. If you want to learn on your own, you must be at least 15 ½ years old and pass the knowledge test.
No. If you want to practice driving on public roads, you must have a licensed driver in the front passenger seat. They must have at least 5 years of experience driving with a valid license.
Your Washington permit might not be valid for driving in another state. Contact the state where you'll be traveling to find out if they'll honor your Washington permit.
You can renew a photo instruction permit using the License eXpress or the no-login option. If it's a non-photo instruction permit, then you can only renew through License eXpress. Learn more about renewing your permit online.
You can renew twice for a fee.
Yes, if you are under the age of 18. Otherwise, if you are 18 or older, you can get your first driver license by passing the knowledge and drive test without taking a driver training course or getting an instruction permit. Keep in mind that if you want to practice on public roads before you take your drive test, you must get a permit and be accompanied by a licensed driver with at least 5 years of experience.
Yes, if you've passed everything and your permit has a photo, you may be eligible to get your first-time license online.
Since the instruction permit doesn't have a photo, you'll need to schedule an appointment to get your first-time license. When you visit our office, you'll need to bring with you proof-of-identity documents. Visit our web page to find out what documents we accept: https://www.dol.wa.gov/driverslicense/idproof.html.