Where to renew your license in Seattle
In Washington State, you renew your driver's license through the Department of Licensing (DOL). Seattle residents can renew in person at the DOL office located at 1125 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98104, or at several other locations around King County. You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your license type and how long it has been expired.
The online option is the fastest route if you are may be able to access. You can renew online at dol.wa.gov if your license is not expired, you have not had any address changes, and you do not need to update your photo. If your license is already expired or you need a new photo, you must renew in person or by mail.
Walk-in service at the Broadway office does not require an appointment, but wait times vary. The DOL also offers appointment scheduling through their website, which can reduce your time in the office. Appointments typically fill up several weeks in advance during peak renewal periods.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal at dol.wa.gov takes about 10 minutes if your license is current and you have not moved.
- In-person renewal at the Seattle DOL office (1125 Broadway) requires proof of residency, your current license, and payment; no appointment is necessary but wait times can be long.
- Mail renewal is an option if your license is expired, though it takes longer and requires you to send original documents.
- Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after you renew, whether you renew online, in person, or by mail.
- Washington driver's licenses expire on your birthday every 5 years (or 8 years if you are over 65).
Documents you need to bring in person
If you renew at the Seattle DOL office, bring your current driver's license or ID card. You will also need to show proof of your current address. The DOL accepts utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, or bank statements dated within the last 60 days. A government-issued ID from another state or country is also acceptable.
You will need to pay the renewal fee. As of 2024, a standard 5-year renewal costs $72, and an 8-year renewal for drivers 65 and older costs $96. The DOL accepts cash, debit, and credit cards. If you are renewing a license that has been expired for more than 5 years, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, which adds time and cost to the process.
Bring your Social Security number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). You do not need to bring a physical card, but you must know the number. If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Online renewal step by step
Start at dol.wa.gov and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You will be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your record and show you whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are, you will answer questions about your current address, any medical conditions, and whether you have any traffic violations or suspensions.
Review your information carefully. Any errors — especially your address — will appear on your new license and may cause problems later. Once you confirm everything is correct, you will pay the renewal fee online using a debit or credit card. The system will give you a confirmation number when ready.
Your new license will be printed and mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If you need to update your photo, you cannot renew online; you must renew in person at the DOL office.
In-person renewal at the Seattle office
The DOL office at 1125 Broadway is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours on some evenings. You can walk in without an appointment, but expect to wait 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on the time of day and day of the week. Mornings on weekdays are typically less crowded than afternoons.
When you arrive, take a number from the kiosk near the entrance. The system will call your number when a clerk is ready. Bring all required documents and have them ready to hand over. The renewal process itself takes about 10 minutes once you reach the counter. You will have your photo taken at the office, and the clerk will verify your information and process your payment.
You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is being mailed. Keep this paper with you while you drive. Your new plastic license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Mail renewal for expired licenses
If your license has been expired for less than 5 years, you can renew by mail. read the Driver License/Instruction Permit process (form DL 44) from dol.wa.gov, or request one by calling the DOL at 360-902-3900. Fill out the form completely and sign it.
Mail the form along with your current license, proof of residency, and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a copy of your proof of residency; the DOL will not return original documents. Mail renewal typically takes 3 to 4 weeks from the time the DOL receives your process.
If your license expired more than 5 years ago, you cannot renew by mail. You must renew in person and retake the written and vision tests. This is treated as a new license process rather than a renewal.
What happens if your license is expired
Driving with an expired license is illegal in Washington, even if you have already submitted a renewal process. If you are pulled over, you can be cited. However, if you can show proof that you have applied for renewal — such as a confirmation number from an online renewal or a receipt from mailing your process — an officer may use discretion.
If your license expired within the last 5 years, you can renew using any of the three methods described above. If it expired more than 5 years ago, you must go to the DOL office in person, retake the written test, pass a vision screening, and pay the full process fee (currently $72 for a 5-year license). You will also need to provide proof of residency and your Social Security number or ITIN.
If you need to drive before your new license arrives, the temporary paper license issued at the office is valid for 30 days. If you renewed online or by mail, you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives, so plan accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license before it expires?
Yes. Washington allows you to renew your license up to 6 months before the expiration date. Renewing early does not change your expiration date — your new license will still expire on your birthday 5 years (or 8 years if you are 65 or older) from the date you were born, not from the date you renew.
What if I have moved since my last license?
You must update your address. If you renew online, you will be asked to confirm or update your address as part of the process. If you renew in person, bring proof of your new address. If you renew by mail, include your new address on the process form. Your new license will be mailed to your current address.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
After you renew online or in person, your new license is mailed within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes 3 to 4 weeks from the time the DOL receives your process. If you renew in person, you will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while you wait for the permanent one.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online or by mail, your photo from your current license is used on your new license. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at the DOL office. A new photo is required if your current license photo is damaged or if you have had significant changes to your appearance that make the photo unrecognizable.
What if I lost my license before it expired?
If your license is lost or stolen, you need to replace it rather than renew it. Go to the DOL office in person with proof of residency and your Social Security number. You will pay a replacement fee (currently $20) in addition to any renewal fees if your license is also expired. The process is similar to renewal but is handled as a replacement transaction.