How to Renew Your Washington State Driver's License

Where to renew and what you need before you start

You can renew your Washington driver's license in person at any Department of Licensing (DOL) office, by mail, or online through the state's website. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need a new photo. Most people renew online or by mail because it takes less time than going to an office.

Before you start any renewal, gather your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current Washington address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you are renewing in person, bring these documents with you. If you are renewing by mail or online, you will upload images or enter the information directly.

Check the expiration date on your license now. If it expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew by mail or online—you must go to a DOL office in person. If it expired within the last five years, or if it has not expired yet, you have all three options open to you.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $72 for an eight-year license; you receive your new license by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
Mail renewal requires you to send your current license and a check to the DOL; processing takes two to three weeks.
In-person renewal at a DOL office takes about 30 minutes and lets you get a new photo and address change on the same day.
Your license remains valid while your renewal is being processed, so you can drive legally even if you have already sent in your process.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a DOL office.

Online renewal: fastest option for most people

Go to dol.wa.gov and select "Renew Your License" from the homepage. You will need to enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number to log in. The system will pull up your current license information and ask you to confirm or update your address, emergency contact, and organ donor status.

You do not upload a photo when you renew online—the DOL uses your existing photo from your current license. This means your new license will look the same as your old one. If you want a new photo, you must renew in person at a DOL office instead. The online fee is $72 for an eight-year license. Pay by debit card or credit card before you submit.

After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Your new license will arrive by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Your current license stays valid during this time, so you can drive legally while you wait. If you do not receive your new license within two weeks, call the DOL at 360-902-3900 to check the status.

Mail renewal: no appointment needed, but slower

read the "Renew Your Driver License or Identicard" form from dol.wa.gov, or call 360-902-3900 and ask them to mail you one. Fill out the form completely, including your current address and any changes to your name, height, or eye color. Sign and date the form.

Make a copy of your current driver's license (both sides) and your proof of Social Security number. Include a check or money order for $72 payable to "Department of Licensing." Mail everything to the address listed on the form—it is typically the DOL office in Olympia, but confirm the current mailing address on the website before you send anything.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the day the DOL receives your envelope. Your current license remains valid during this time. You will not receive a confirmation number, so if you want to check on your renewal, call 360-902-3900 with your driver's license number and date of birth. Like online renewal, you keep your existing photo on your new license.

In-person renewal at a DOL office

Find your nearest DOL office on dol.wa.gov and check its hours before you go. Some offices take walk-ins, but many now require you to book an appointment online or by phone. Booking ahead usually cuts your wait time to 15 to 30 minutes instead of an hour or more.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Bring your original documents or certified copies—a photocopy of your Social Security card is not acceptable, but your actual card is. If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

At the office, you will sit for a new photo, confirm your address and personal information, and pay the $72 fee by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed to you. Your permanent license arrives in 7 to 10 business days.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years

If your license expired more than five years ago, the DOL treats it as a new license rather than a renewal. You cannot use the online or mail process. You must go to a DOL office in person, bring all the documents listed above, and pass a vision test. You may also be asked to retake the written knowledge test and the driving test, depending on how long your license has been expired.

Call your local DOL office before you go to ask what tests you will need to take. Some offices waive the written and driving tests if your license expired fewer than 10 years ago and you have a clean driving record. Bring your current address proof and Social Security proof, and plan to spend 45 minutes to an hour at the office.

Address changes and other updates during renewal

If you have moved since your last license, update your address during renewal. Online renewal lets you change your address in the form before you pay. Mail renewal includes a space for your new address on the form. In-person renewal lets you tell the staff member your new address, and they update it on the spot.

You can also change your name, height, eye color, or organ donor status during renewal. If you changed your name, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). Other updates do not require extra documents—just tell the DOL staff or enter the information in the online form.

Fees and payment methods

A standard eight-year driver's license renewal costs $72 in Washington. This fee is the same whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you are 65 or older, your license is valid for five years instead of eight, and the fee is $45. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cost more—check dol.wa.gov for the current CDL renewal fee.

Online and in-person renewal accept debit cards, credit cards, cash, and checks. Mail renewal requires a check or money order. Do not send cash by mail. If you pay by check, make it out to "Department of Licensing." If your payment is declined or lost in the mail, the DOL will contact you by phone or email to ask you to resubmit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive while my renewal is being processed?

Yes. Your current license stays valid the entire time your renewal is being processed, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. You can drive legally until your new license arrives. If you renewed in person, you receive a temporary paper license that is valid for 30 days.

What if I need my new license before 7 to 10 business days?

Standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days by mail. Washington does not offer expedited renewal by mail or online. If you need a license sooner, renew in person at a DOL office and use the temporary paper license they give you on the spot—it is valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed.

Do I have to take a new photo when I renew?

Only if you renew in person at a DOL office. Online and mail renewal use your existing photo from your current license. If you want a new photo, you must go to an office. You can also go in person just to get a new photo without renewing your license, though there may be a separate fee.

What if my name changed since my last license?

Bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change—a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you renew online or by mail, include a copy with your process. If you renew in person, bring the original or certified copy to the office. The DOL will update your name on your new license.

Can I renew if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?

Washington does not block license renewal because of unpaid traffic fines. However, if you have an outstanding warrant or suspension on your driving record, the DOL system will flag it when you try to renew online or in person. Contact the court or the DOL to resolve the issue before you can complete your renewal.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.