WA Renew License

When the Washington DOL issues your license, it contains a great deal of information on the small card, including the issue and expiration date. The expiration date on your license is the date that your license is no longer able to be used to drive in the state, meaning that you must renew before this date. Of course there are requirements, rules, and paperwork that you should know about to complete your license renewal.

Washington License Status

The status of your license is important to license renewal, and you can see this status with a Washington driver’s record from the Department of Licensing or other online resources.

License Still Valid

Whether you hold a standard driver’s license or an Enhanced Driver’s License, you will:

  • Have 5 years from issue until the license expires, even if you have a Washington motorcycle endorsement
  • Be required to renew this license before the expiration date listed which will be on your birthday, and can do so up to 90 days before your license expires.
If you need to renew a Washington commercial license, the process will be a bit different, especially if you currently hold a Hazmat endorsement on your license.

If for any reason you aren’t sure whether the license is still valid, you can find out by viewing your license status on your driving record.

License Expired

If you have allowed your license to expire, you are given a 60 day grace period to renew past the date of expiration, but you will still be assessed a $10 late fee.

License Suspended

If you have received a lot of traffic tickets, or if you have received a DUI conviction your license can be suspended by the Department of Licensing. While the state of Washington doesn’t keep points on drivers for violations, it does maintain records and track your violations, punishing as necessary for the type and continuance of violations you may commit. Check your driver’s record in order to view these violations, as well as see whether or not the DOL has taken your license away or not.

After your license has been suspended, you will have to refrain from driving for the specified amount of time, after which reinstatement is possible if deemed so by the Washington DOL. Remember that reinstatement is going to cost a bit more than renewal, and you will likely have a few different fees to pay, meaning that you will come out of pocket quite a bit.

You will also suffer the price of higher insurance rates, with some insurance providers even denying you a policy based on your record.

License Lost

It costs only $15 for a duplicate Washington driver’s license, which should be obtained as soon as you find out that the license has been stolen, lost, or even if it has been damaged a bit.

Washington License Renewal Notice

You will receive a license renewal notice when it nears time for your license to expire, which gives you the information you need to renew your license. It will state whether online Washington license renewal is allowed for your case or if you must go in-person for the renewal. You will receive an authorization number if you are able to use the online service which is needed to renew. The notice will also state whether or not you must complete any testing and the fees you must pay.

Online Washington License Renewal

The Washington DOL offers online renewal for extra convenience, however, you must make sure whether or not you are eligible or not. If the following applies to you, you will be able to use the online renewal service:

  • Last license renewal was completed in the licensing office.
  • Your renewal is for a standard license, not EDL.
  • Your renewal notice mailed to you had an authorization number.
  • You have a credit or debit card for the $25 online payment.
License renewal online in Washington, which also contains the instructions to help you complete the renewal.

Mail-In Renewal

License renewal by mail in Washington is not offered to anyone, but is offered to residents of the state that will be away for a minimum of 12 months when expiration of your license is due, which is typical for military or student drivers.

In order to complete the task, you will have to send the following:

  • Blank white piece of paper you have signed. The DOL will copy this signature and place it on your renewal license.
  • For removing license restrictions due to vision impairments, you will need a note signed by the eye doctor.
  • Medical certificate from doctor if required by DOL.
  • $25 renewal fee. If you pay by check, write it to “Department of Licensing”.
These items as well as the license extension/renewal form, which you can download and print from  Driver License Extension Request, must be sent to the following address no more than 30 days before your license expiration date.

Department of Licensing
Driver Responsibility Technical Reporting
P.O. Box 9048
Olympia, WA 98507-9048

For drivers who are out of the state for less than 12 months, the DOL will allow you an extension, which will cost $5.

License Renewal in the Office

No matter what license you hold, whether standard or EDL, you will follow these steps for license renewal:

  1. Complete and pass vision exam.
  2. Pay $25 license renewal fee.
  3. Bring current driver’s license.
  4. If you have an EDL, bring proof of Washington residency.
These steps will be completed within a Washington driver’s licensing office.

Updating Driving Skills

Washington driver’s ed is available for drivers who want to make sure that their driving skills are always up to par and don’t want to let these skills fall behind. Although required for some drivers under the age of 18, these courses are offered to all drivers regardless of age, and can provide a great bit of training.