Where to go for your Kennewick driver's license

In Kennewick, you get your driver's license through the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). The main office serving Kennewick is located at 7920 W. Clearwater Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99336. This is the place to go whether you need a new license, a renewal, a replacement, or a name change on an existing license.

You can also renew your license online or by mail if you meet certain conditions — your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must have no medical restrictions, and you cannot have changed your name or address. If any of those explore to you, you will need to visit the office in person.

The office is open Monday through Friday. Hours change seasonally, so call ahead at 509-664-0760 or check the DOL website before you go. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times can be long during lunch hours and late afternoon, especially on Fridays.

Key Takeaways

  • The Kennewick DOL office is at 7920 W. Clearwater Avenue and handles all driver's license transactions for the area.
  • You will need a valid passport, birth certificate, or other identity document, plus proof of your Social Security number and current address.
  • A standard driver's license costs $72 and is valid for eight years; the fee is higher if you need a Real ID-compliant license.
  • Renewals by mail or online are only possible if your license expired less than five years ago and you have no medical restrictions or name changes.
  • The office accepts walk-ins but does not take appointments, so arriving early or mid-week usually means shorter waits.

What documents you need to bring

Washington requires you to prove three things: who you are, your Social Security number, and where you live. Bring one document from each category.

For identity, bring a valid passport, passport card, birth certificate, or permanent resident card. If you use a birth certificate, you must also bring a second form of ID like a school ID, employee badge, or tribal ID card.

For Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. A pay stub with your full Social Security number also works.

For proof of address, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail dated within the last 60 days. A bank statement or insurance bill also works if it shows your current address.

The cost and how long your license lasts

A standard Washington driver's license costs $72 and is valid for eight years. If you want a Real ID — a federally compliant license required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings — the cost is $82 and the license is also valid for eight years.

If you are renewing a license that expired less than five years ago, the renewal fee is $72 for a standard license or $82 for Real ID. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must take the written test and vision test again, and you pay the full new-license fee.

The office accepts cash, debit, and credit cards. They do not accept checks or payment plans.

What to expect during your visit

When you arrive, you will check in at the front desk and receive a number. You will wait until your number is called, then move to a clerk's station. The clerk will review your documents, ask you to sign a form, and take your photograph and fingerprints. The whole process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes once you reach the clerk, but the wait before that can range from 10 minutes to over an hour depending on the time of day and day of the week.

If you are getting a new license for the first time or if your license has been expired for more than five years, you will also take a written knowledge test and a vision test. The knowledge test covers road signs and traffic laws and takes about 10 minutes. You can study using the Washington Driver Guide, which is free on the DOL website.

You will receive your new license on the spot. It is a plastic card that you can use when ready for identification, though it may take a few days to arrive in the mail if the office needs to order it.

Renewing by mail or online instead of visiting in person

If your license expired less than five years ago, you have no medical restrictions, and your name and address have not changed, you can renew by mail. read the Driver License/Instruction Permit Renewal process (form DL 44) from the DOL website, fill it out, and mail it with a copy of your proof of address and a check or money order for $72 (or $82 for Real ID) to the address on the form.

Online renewal is also available through the DOL website if you meet the same conditions. You will need your current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The fee is charged to a credit or debit card, and your new license will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days.

If you are not sure whether you meet the conditions for mail or online renewal, call the Kennewick office at 509-664-0760. The staff can tell you whether your specific situation qualifies.

If you need a Real ID for travel or federal buildings

A Real ID is a driver's license that meets federal security standards and is required for domestic air travel and entry to federal buildings like courthouses and military bases. Washington offers Real ID as an option when you get a new license or renew.

The documents you need are the same as for a standard license, but you must bring originals or certified copies — photocopies do not work. The process at the office is also the same, and you will receive your Real ID card on the spot. The card looks the same as a standard license but has a gold star in the upper right corner.

Real ID costs $10 more than a standard license ($82 instead of $72) and is valid for eight years, the same as a standard license.

What to do if you have lost or damaged your license

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get a replacement at the Kennewick office. Bring the same documents you would need for a renewal — proof of identity, Social Security number, and current address. You do not need to take a test.

A replacement license costs $20 if your current license is still valid. If your license has also expired, you pay the full renewal fee ($72 or $82) instead. You will receive your replacement on the spot.

If your license was stolen, you may also want to report it to local police. This creates a record in case someone tries to use it fraudulently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online if it expired more than five years ago?

No. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must visit the office in person to retake the written test and vision test. You cannot renew by mail or online in this situation.

Do I need an appointment to visit the Kennewick DOL office?

No. The office accepts walk-ins only and does not take appointments. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter waits than visiting during lunch or late afternoon.

What if I do not have a Social Security card?

You can bring a W-2, 1099, tax return, or pay stub with your full Social Security number instead. The office accepts any of these as proof of your number.

How long does it take to get my new license if I visit in person?

You receive your license on the spot at the office. However, if the office needs to order your card, it may take a few days to arrive in the mail. Call the office at 509-664-0760 if you do not receive it within two weeks.

Can I get a Real ID by mail or online?

No. Real ID requires you to bring original or certified copies of your documents, so you must visit the office in person. Standard licenses can be renewed by mail or online if you meet the conditions, but Real ID cannot.