Hello there! We’re the Professional Driving School Association of Washington State!
Our Mission:
To build a robust driver training industry association by uniting for:
Elevated training standards
Reducing losses from auto-related crashes
Ensuring appropriate state regulations for driver training schools
Expanding growth opportunities for our businesses
In Memory of Rich Hanson
It is with profound sadness that the Professional Driving School Association (PDSA) mourns the passing of Richard "Rich" Hanson, one of the most influential leaders in Traffic Safety Education. Rich dedicated his career to making our roads safer through education, mentorship, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.
For decades, Rich was a driving force in advancing Traffic Safety Education throughout the Pacific Northwest and across the nation. His work extended far beyond the classroom. He worked closely with the developers of Washington's Traffic Safety Education Program, helped shape Traffic Safety Education in the State of Oregon, and co-authored and evaluated curricula used by multiple states. Many driving schools across the country continue to use educational materials that bear his influence, including Oregon's driver education videos and voice-over training resources and curriculum adopted by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Rich believed that strong instructors create safe drivers. Throughout his career, he generously shared his knowledge with fellow educators, school owners, and program developers. Whether mentoring a new instructor, presenting at a conference, or helping improve curriculum, he was always willing to invest his time and expertise to strengthen our profession.
His passion for Traffic Safety Education earned him the respect of educators nationwide. Rich was recognized as the Oregon Driver Education Teacher of the Year in 2003, the National Driver Education Teacher of the Year in 2006, and received ADTSEA's Richard Kaywood Award for Lifetime Achievement and Contribution to Traffic Safety Education in 2019. These honors reflected what so many in our profession already knew: Rich was a leader whose influence reached far beyond his own classroom.
To those of us in the Pacific Northwest, Rich's impact was especially significant. He helped establish the high standards of Traffic Safety Education that continue to guide instructors and schools throughout our region. His leadership, vision, and willingness to mentor others strengthened our profession and left an enduring mark on countless educators.
More important than his accomplishments was the way he carried himself. Rich was respected not only for his knowledge, but for his humility, generosity, and genuine desire to help others succeed. He never hesitated to share an idea, answer a question, review a curriculum, or encourage a fellow educator. He made everyone around him better.
On behalf of the Professional Driving School Association, we extend our deepest condolences to Karen, Sarah, Stacy, the Hanson family, and to the many colleagues, students, and friends whose lives were touched by Rich.
Traffic Safety Education is stronger because of Rich Hanson. His influence will continue to be seen in the instructors he mentored, the curricula he helped develop, the schools he strengthened, and the countless drivers who are safer because of his life's work.
Thank you, Rich, for your extraordinary service to Traffic Safety Education. Your legacy will continue to guide our profession for generations to come.
May he rest in peace.
2026 Conference Sponsors
The Professional Driving Schools Association Conference brings together driving school owners, instructors, and industry professionals from across Washington State.
Our members represent active schools that are operating daily, training students, and making real decisions around vehicles, insurance, curriculum, compliance, and business operations.
Our sponsors play a key role in supporting this event and the broader driver education community. Their involvement helps make the conference possible while also connecting our members with trusted products, services, and solutions that directly impact how driving schools run and grow.
The PDSA network spans multiple counties and continues beyond the conference through ongoing communication, collaboration, and industry involvement. Sponsoring this event means being part of that ecosystem and building relationships with the people actively shaping driver training in Washington.
We’re proud to recognize Nick Tyler as a sponsor of the 2026 Professional Driving Schools Association Conference.
Nick Tyler is a Financial Advisor based in Camas, WA, helping individuals and business owners take control of their financial future through planning, investments, and insurance solutions. His approach focuses on reviewing progress, setting clear goals, and building long-term strategies that support sustainable growth.
As a Financial Advisor with COUNTRY Trust Bank, a Registered Representative of COUNTRY Capital Management Company, and a COUNTRY Financial Insurance Agent, Nick provides guidance across financial planning and risk management with a clear, practical approach.
For driving school owners managing revenue, expenses, and long-term growth, having the right financial strategy in place is critical. Advisors like Nick help bring structure and clarity to those decisions.
His support helps make this event possible and connects our members with trusted professionals across Washington State.
We’re proud to recognize LifeCenter Northwest as a sponsor of the 2026 Professional Driving Schools Association Conference.
LifeCenter Northwest is a nonprofit organization dedicated to organ, eye, and tissue donation, working to save and heal lives across the region. Their mission focuses on increasing awareness, supporting donors and families, and giving more people access to life-saving transplants.
Their commitment to community impact and saving lives aligns with the broader goal of driver education: protecting lives and creating safer communities. Organizations like LifeCenter Northwest play an important role beyond the road, helping build awareness around critical issues that affect families across Washington.
Their support helps make this event possible and brings together professionals who are committed to making a meaningful difference in their communities.
We’re proud to recognize Leavitt Group Northwest as a sponsor of the 2026 Professional Driving Schools Association Conference.
Leavitt Group Northwest is a trusted insurance brokerage providing coverage solutions for both individuals and businesses. Their expertise spans auto, home, life, and commercial insurance, helping clients manage risk and protect what matters most.
Their work closely aligns with the needs of driving schools, where proper coverage, risk management, and long-term planning are critical to daily operations. Having a knowledgeable partner in insurance is essential for schools operating vehicles, training students, and growing responsibly.
Their support helps make this event possible and brings together professionals from across Washington State who are focused on running stronger, safer driving schools.
We’re proud to recognize Ovis Digital as a sponsor of the 2026 Professional Driving Schools Association Conference.
Ovis Digital helps small businesses grow through websites, marketing, and AI-powered automation. Their focus is on helping businesses attract more customers, streamline operations, and scale without unnecessary busywork.
For driving schools, where managing schedules, leads, and operations can quickly become overwhelming, having the right systems in place is critical. Ovis Digital’s approach to simplifying and optimizing business processes aligns directly with the needs of schools looking to grow efficiently.
Their support helps make this event possible and brings together professionals across Washington State who are focused on building stronger, more scalable driving school operations.
We’re proud to recognize Driveato as a sponsor of the 2026 Professional Driving Schools Association Conference.
Driveato provides modern, all-in-one software built specifically for driving schools, including scheduling, student management, and branded mobile apps. Their platform is designed to simplify operations and help schools run more efficiently as they grow.
For driving schools managing instructors, vehicles, and student bookings daily, having a reliable system in place is critical. Driveato’s focus on smarter scheduling and streamlined workflows directly supports schools looking to scale without adding unnecessary complexity.
Their support helps make this event possible and brings together professionals across Washington State who are focused on improving operations and delivering a better experience for their students.
We’re proud to recognize Teach Safe as a sponsor of the 2026 Professional Driving Schools Association Conference.
Teach Safe provides online driver education tools, including state-approved courses, curriculum development, and platform support for driving schools. Their services are designed to help schools build, manage, and deliver online education programs efficiently.
As more schools look to expand beyond traditional classroom models, having a reliable and compliant online solution is becoming increasingly important. Teach Safe helps schools adapt by offering flexible, scalable options that support both students and instructors.
Their support helps make this event possible and brings together professionals across Washington State who are focused on modernizing and improving driver education.
Attention WA Driving Schools,
Attention WA Driving Schools,
Over the past several years, the Professional Driving School Association (PDSA) has grown into a strong advocate for our industry, building direct relationships with the Department of Licensing (DOL) and ensuring that driving school owners have a voice in important conversations.
As our industry continues to evolve, that voice is becoming increasingly important.
The PDSA is currently engaged with the DOL on several upcoming initiatives that will influence how driving schools operate across Washington. These developments present both opportunities and challenges, and it is critical that local school owners are represented throughout the process.
Our goal is simple: to ensure that decisions affecting driver education are shaped by those who understand it best, the professionals working in it every day.
By strengthening our collective voice, we can:
Advocate for policies that support sustainable, high-quality driver education
Maintain strong professional standards across the state
Ensure that new ideas and innovations reflect the needs of local schools
Membership is $100 annually, and all funds go directly toward supporting advocacy efforts, communication, and the continued development of our industry.
If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to join us and be part of the conversation as these changes take shape.
Monthly meetings
The Professional Driving Schools Association (PDSA) holds its meetings once a month, typically around the fourth Wednesday. At the end of each session, the date and time for the next meeting are decided, and email reminders are sent to all members to ensure everyone stays informed.
Our meetings are guided by the PDSA Code of Conduct, which establishes our governing principles and sets clear expectations to maintain a professional and collaborative environment.
Association Objectives
The PDSA empowers driver education schools across Washington State by:
- Serving as a communication and information hub, keeping members informed about critical issues impacting our industry.
- Enhancing public confidence and pride in driver training through exemplary professional conduct.
- Offering educational opportunities for our members and their employees to foster continuous growth and improvement.
- Collaborating with the DOL to ensure fair, consistent, and reasonable regulations that enable commercial driving schools to deliver high-quality education while maintaining profitability.
- Partnering with community groups, agencies, and legislators to introduce regulations that enhance road safety and protect our citizens.
- Providing membership benefits that support our schools in running more efficient and successful businesses.
Conferences!
The PDSA has made it easier than ever to become an active member. Now, any school or instructor who attends a PDSA conference event during the year will automatically receive membership.