Renewing Your Washington License Online, by Mail, or In Person
Washington lets you renew your driver's license through three routes: online at dol.wa.gov, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a Department of Licensing office. Most people can renew online in about 10 minutes without leaving home. If you cannot renew online—because your license is expired by more than five years, or you need to update your address or name—you will need to renew by mail or visit an office in person.
Your renewal notice arrives by mail about 30 days before your license expires. The notice includes your renewal number, which you will need for the online process. If you have lost the notice, you can still renew online using your driver's license number and date of birth.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and works if your license expired within the last five years and you have not changed your address or legal name.
- You will receive a new license card in the mail within 7 to 10 business days after approval, and your old license remains valid until the new one arrives.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, or you need to change your address or name, you must renew in person at a Department of Licensing office or by mail.
- Washington charges $72 for a standard eight-year renewal, though the cost varies if you are renewing a commercial license or a license with a motorcycle endorsement.
- You can check your renewal status and expected delivery date on the Department of Licensing website after you submit your renewal.
Renewing Online: The Fastest Route
Go to dol.wa.gov and select "Renew Your Driver's License" from the homepage. You will need your renewal notice (which includes your renewal number) or your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will ask you to verify your identity by answering security questions based on your driving record and personal history.
Once you pass the identity check, you will review your current information, confirm your address, and choose whether to keep your current photo or upload a new one. If you upload a new photo, it must meet Washington's requirements: a clear, straight-on headshot taken within the last six months, with a plain background and no sunglasses or hats. You then pay the renewal fee by debit card or credit card.
After you submit, the Department of Licensing sends you a confirmation email with a transaction number. Your new license card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license stays valid until the new card arrives, so you can continue driving and using it for identification.
Renewing by Mail When Online Is Not an Option
If your license expired more than five years ago, or you need to change your address or legal name, the online system will not let you complete the renewal. In that case, you can renew by mail by requesting a renewal packet from the Department of Licensing.
Call the Department of Licensing at 360-902-3900 or visit a local office to request a mail renewal packet. The packet includes a form, instructions, and a prepaid return envelope. You will need to include a new photo that meets Washington's requirements (clear, straight-on, taken within the last six months, plain background, no sunglasses or hats). Mail the completed form, photo, and payment to the address on the packet.
Processing by mail takes longer than online renewal—typically three to four weeks after the Department receives your packet. If you need your license sooner, visiting an office in person is faster.
Renewing In Person at a Department of Licensing Office
You can renew in person at any Department of Licensing office in Washington. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment. You will also need to provide a new photo or let the office take one for you.
Bring your renewal notice if you have it, though it is not required. If you are changing your address or legal name, bring documents that support the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order for a name change; a utility bill or lease for a new address.
Wait times at offices vary by location and time of day. Check the Department of Licensing website to find your nearest office and see current wait times before you go. Many offices are busier on weekday mornings and Saturdays, so visiting on a weekday afternoon often means a shorter wait.
What Happens If Your License Is Expired
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it—you must explore for a new license instead. This requires an in-person visit to a Department of Licensing office, a vision test, and a new photo. You will also need to bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return).
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can still renew it using any of the three methods above. There is no penalty for renewing a license that has been expired for a few months or even a year or two.
Renewal Fees and What They Cover
A standard eight-year driver's license renewal costs $72 in Washington. If you are renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL), the cost is $142. If you are adding or renewing a motorcycle endorsement, add $20 to the base renewal fee.
The renewal fee covers your new license card and the eight-year validity period. Washington does not charge separate fees for address changes, name changes, or photo updates—those are included in the renewal cost. Payment must be by debit card or credit card if you renew online or by mail; offices accept cash, check, debit card, and credit card.
Tracking Your Renewal and Receiving Your New License
After you renew online or by mail, you can check the status of your renewal on the Department of Licensing website. Log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, and the system will show whether your renewal is pending, approved, or in production. Once your card is in production, the site displays an expected delivery date.
Your new license arrives by standard mail, not certified mail. It typically takes 7 to 10 business days after approval. If you do not receive your license within two weeks of the expected delivery date, contact the Department of Licensing at 360-902-3900 to report it.
While you wait for your new card, your current license remains valid for driving and identification. If you need to travel by air or cross an international border before your new license arrives, bring both your old license and your renewal confirmation email or receipt as proof that you have renewed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?
Washington does not prevent you from renewing your license because of unpaid traffic fines. However, if you have an outstanding warrant related to a traffic case, the Department of Licensing may suspend your license. Contact the court that issued the ticket to resolve the warrant before renewing.
What if I have moved out of state since my last renewal?
You cannot renew a Washington license if you no longer live in Washington. You must explore for a license in your new state instead. If you still live in Washington but have moved to a new address, you can update your address during the online renewal process or bring proof of your new address to an office.
Do I need a new photo every time I renew?
No. When you renew online, you can keep your current photo or upload a new one. If you keep your current photo, it must be from a previous Washington license—you cannot use a photo from another state's license. If you renew in person, the office will use your existing photo unless you request a new one.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
If you changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or a court order, you must renew in person or by mail and bring documentation of the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Online renewal does not allow name changes.
How long is my new license valid?
A standard Washington driver's license is valid for eight years from the date of renewal. Your renewal notice will show your new expiration date. Commercial driver's licenses are also valid for eight years unless you have a medical condition that requires a shorter validity period.