Quick answer
The course is completely free. There is no fee to start it, no fee to finish it, and no charge for retakes if you need them.
The Washington State Department of Licensing funds the course so every driver who needs it can take it at no cost.
In this article
- Why the course is free
- What’s included at no cost
- How long it takes — the only “cost” is your time
- Watch out for scams
Why the course is free
The Work Zone and First Responder course was created to satisfy Washington State law (ESHB 1878), which requires new drivers under 25 to learn how to drive safely around work zones and first responders before getting their first license.
Because the law applies to a large group of drivers and the goal is public safety, the State of Washington funds the course directly. That means every learner can take it without ever paying for it. There is no signup fee, no subscription, and no “premium tier” that costs extra.
⚠ If you’re asked to pay, it isn’t the real course
Anyone asking for a credit card, gift card, cryptocurrency, or other payment to take this course is not the official Washington Department of Licensing course. Close the page and report it. See “Watch out for scams” below for what to look for.
What’s included at no cost
The following items cover everything that’s part of the course. There’s no hidden cost anywhere along the way.
- Watching every lesson (text, video, and narration).
- Taking the knowledge check at the end.
- Retaking the knowledge check as many times as you need.
- Having your completion sent automatically to DOL.
- Contacting our support team for help, or if you're having issues.
How long it takes — the only “cost” is your time
The course is designed to take under an hour from start to finish. You can spread that hour out over multiple sessions. Your progress is saved automatically, so you can finish on any device whenever it’s convenient.
- Lessons: a series of short video and text segments, roughly 45 to 60 minutes in total.
- Knowledge check: a final review, typically around 10 minutes.
- Reviews and retakes (if needed): a few extra minutes per attempt.
See Can I pause the course and come back later? for more on splitting the course into smaller sessions.
Watch out for scams
Because the course is required for many new drivers, scammers sometimes set up look-alike sites that charge for it. A few simple checks help you stay safe:
- The real course is accessed through the official DOL website (WA.gov), or directly at https://washington-dol.mydrivingcourses.com.
- The real course never asks for a credit card, gift card, debit card, or PayPal payment. Not at sign-up, not at any point during the course, and not at the end.
- The real course does not require an app from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or anywhere else. It runs in your web browser.
- The real course never threatens you with a “fast-track” fee, a “late penalty,” or an “express completion” charge to get a driver license appointment sooner.
How to report a suspicious site
If you’re sent to a site that says it’s the Washington Work Zone and First Responder course but asks for payment, take a screenshot and contact the Driver Licensing Customer Service (360) 902-3900. You can also report consumer fraud to the Washington State Office of the Attorney General.