The Legal Mandate
Washington law requires that all driver training schools and instructors teach the curriculum developed by the Department of Licensing (DOL) and the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).
RCW 46.82.420 outlines this legal responsibility and allows for license revocation if a school or instructor fails to teach the required content.
This ensures every student in Washington receives consistent, high-quality instruction that covers:
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Safe and lawful vehicle operation
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Intermediate license restrictions
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Impairment awareness
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Motorcycle, bicycle, pedestrian, and large vehicle safety
The Supporting Rule
The structure for this requirement is provided in WAC 308-108-155, which defines the major instructional areas that must be covered in every driver training program:
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Rules of the road
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Vehicle components and handling
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Driver behavior and awareness
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Hazard and risk management
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Emergency response
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Respect and responsibility
To help guide instruction, the DOL references the 2025 Washington Traffic Safety Education Standards—a detailed 37-page document that outlines the core competencies and expectations for classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.
Understanding the Curriculum Document
As part of its commitment to continuous improvement and transparency, the DOL has filed a CR-101 to formally incorporate the 2025 Washington Traffic Safety Education Standards as part of its administrative rule process.
This 37-page curriculum is designed to be a living, standards-based document, ensuring that instruction keeps pace with evolving safety needs and educational best practices.
What this means for instructors:
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The curriculum reflects DOL’s expectations for core content areas.
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Teaching it fully and consistently is a requirement for compliance.
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Open Drive was created to help instructors understand, apply, and deliver this content with confidence.
How This Curriculum Fits Into Law
Under RCW 34.05.010(16), a “rule” includes any agency directive that may result in a penalty or license sanction if not followed.
Since RCW 46.82.420 authorizes license revocation for failure to teach the required curriculum, the expectations within that curriculum function as an enforceable rule.
Open Drive helps ensure instructors can meet those expectations with clarity and support—rather than guesswork.
Why Open-Drive Was Created
Street Law Open Drive was built to support the DOL’s mission—by turning legal requirements into practical, teachable lessons.
With Open Drive, instructors get:
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Full alignment with RCW 46.82.420 and WAC 308-108-155
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A curriculum that reflects the DOL’s standards and structure
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Lessons that promote safety, understanding, and personal responsibility
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A values-based teaching model that supports growth over perfection
“Open-Drive exists to help instructors meet the law, serve their students, and strengthen traffic safety across Washington.”