My name is Eric Ryckman and I have over a decade of experience teaching people how to drive in Bellevue and Redmond. I have been an certified examiner for the state of Washington since 2015. I teach using formulas with specific reference points to get consistent results and time-tested techniques that build intuitive driving. I built the instructor curriculum for my previous school. I was the instructor who took care of the the most challenging students at the school.
I specialize in teaching adults who speak English as a second language. Learning from me, you will gain confidence through skill and control of the vehicle while being aware of your surroundings. I am officially certified in and have extensive experience with training new instructors as well as testing for the DoL. If you have been avoiding driving, thinking that you may never be able too, then I am the instructor for you. I am exceptionally patient and sympathetic to the worries and fears of a new driver. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Also, it's better to learn in the rainy season than it is over summer. It's better learn how to drive the safe way in the bad weather we can expect 8-10 months out of the year. This will also allow you to get a more desirable schedule as the since everyone else tries to take lessons in the summer.
Thank you,
Eric Ryckman
All students must have a valid foreign driver's License, a valid instruction permit from the State of WA, or a valid out of state permit/driver's license and have passed the Knowledge Exam (written test) . In order to get started you must register on the Department of Licensing website under the "License Express" link. Once registered, you must pass the knowledge exam in order to get the instruction permit. The knowledge exam can be taken at most driving schools and some select DoL locations. I do teach teens, but my school is not currently offering the teen program which allows teens under 18 to receive their licenses. If they need supplemental practice to get the required hours, I can help with that. The valid Permit or Driver's license must be brought to EVERY lesson and not as a copy (the paper print out you get from the DoL is an exception).
Schedule wise, be prepared to do at least 2 lessons a week and time to practice as much as possible (the more you practice the less money you will spend on lessons). All experience levels welcome. From those with zero experience to those who just need to adjust to driving on the west coast or the rules and layout in the United States in general. I teach the fundamentals to high speed lane changing on the freeway and city driving.
I teach 7 days a week, but do prefer weekdays when possible.
Each Lesson is 90 minutes long or 1.5 hours. This was the industry standard pre-Covid, but my competitors found out that they can make a lot more money from giving only 1 hour lessons. This extra half hour gives enough time for proper repetition and saves the people money on pick up and drop-off fees (longer lessons = less times picking up and dropping off and fewer times getting the car prepped and reviewing at the end, instead you get more usable driving time). If you really want or need 1 hour lessons due to time constraints, we can work it out, but it's not ideal for learning.
My flat hourly rate is $75/hr.
My lessons are 90min long or 1.5hrs.
Pick up and drop off is charged as 30 minutes if you live within a 15 min range. So you can figure 2hr per lesson in terms of cost.
1-90min lesson with pick up: $150
New Driver Orientation: $150 - Learn about the rules of the road, driving etiquette, and get a head start on techniques that you will be learning in the car during the lessons. This is done via zoom call. This will either be done one on one or as a group depending on student load. There is open Q&A after each section (the larger the group the more time I give for questions).
All packages get you a 2hr+ seminar covering road rules and driving techniques for free.
3-90min lessons with pick up: $450 (comparable to 5 -1hr Lessons)
+ 2hr New Driver Orientation (Free)
[This package is typically drivers with more than a year of experience driving in another country, but aren't quite comfortable with the road rules or the pace of traffic yet. This also works well for teenagers who are taking the teen program elsewhere, but aren't getting any time to practice.]
5-90min lessons with pick up: $700 ($50 Discount)
+ 2hr New Driver Orientation (Free)
As driver with some previous training and an ability to practice. This may be just enough to get you to pass the Skills exam, but you shouldn't expect to be ready for daily driving on your own yet.
8-90 min lessons with pick up: $960 ($60/hr)
+ 2hr New Driver Orientation (Free)
This package is for the new driver who has the ability to practice in-between lessons and isn't excessively afraid of traffic (everyone is afraid in the beginning, but if it's causing you to freeze up, then you will need more exposure to that stress in a controlled environment to get over it). This package is good for those who have family to practice with and have that ability to practice between the lessons.
12-90 min lessons with pick up: $1,200 ($50/hr)
+ 2hr New Driver Orientation (Free)
This is for the person who wants to make sure they are secure and safe on the road. This a good package for IT professionals who have no way to practice driving with family. If you struggle with fear from being in a car collision or cannot practice with family out that fear, this will give you enough time to get comfortable enough to take and pass the exam. If you don't have fear and have a way to practice, this will help to make sure you are safe to drive on your own even after exam. Any lessons added to the 12 lesson package will also only be charged $50/hr. I want the people who really need the help a chance to afford it.
If you buy a smaller package, you can upgrade at any time for no additional cost, just pay the difference.