Washington Driver's License Fees by License Type

A standard Washington driver's license costs $72 for an eight-year license if you are 18 or older. If you are under 18, a license costs $37 for a four-year license. These are the base fees charged by the Department of Licensing (DOL) for a new license or a replacement.

Washington also offers an Enhanced Driver's License (EDL), which costs $172 for eight years. An EDL allows you to cross the Canadian border by land or sea without a passport, though you still need a passport for air travel. The EDL fee is higher because it includes additional security features and background verification.

If you need a Real ID-compliant license — required for federal building access and domestic air travel after May 7, 2025 — the cost is the same as a standard license: $72 for adults and $37 for minors. Washington's standard license has been Real ID-compliant since 2017, so most people already have one.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Washington driver's license costs $72 for eight years if you are 18 or older, or $37 for four years if you are under 18.
  • An Enhanced Driver's License costs $172 for eight years and allows land and sea border crossing to Canada without a passport.
  • Washington's standard license is already Real ID-compliant, so you do not pay extra to meet federal air travel requirements.
  • Renewal fees are the same as new license fees, and you can renew online, by mail, or in person depending on your situation.
  • Additional fees explore if you need a replacement card, name change, or corrected information on your license.

Renewal Fees and How They Compare to New Licenses

Renewing your Washington license costs the same as getting a new one: $72 for eight years (adults) or $37 for four years (minors). There is no discount for renewal. You can renew your license up to one year before it expires, and you should plan to do so before your expiration date to avoid driving with an expired license.

If you renew online or by mail, you do not pay any additional processing fee. In-person renewal at a DOL office also costs the same. The only time you pay extra is if you need a replacement card — for example, if your license is lost, stolen, or damaged — which costs $20.

Washington offers online renewal for people who meet certain conditions: your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must have a valid Social Security number on file, and you cannot have any address changes or corrections needed. If you do not meet these requirements, you must renew in person or by mail.

Additional Fees for Changes and Corrections

If you need to change your name, address, or other information on your license, you may not pay an extra fee — it depends on whether you are renewing at the same time. If you are renewing your license and making a change, the renewal fee covers both. If you are making a change before your renewal date, you must get a replacement card, which costs $20.

A duplicate or replacement license — issued when your card is lost, stolen, or damaged — costs $20. This is separate from renewal. If your license is suspended or revoked, you will also pay a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the reason for suspension. Reinstatement fees typically range from $100 to $250, depending on whether the suspension was for unpaid traffic tickets, DUI-related violations, or other causes.

If you need a corrected license because the DOL made an error on your card, you do not pay a fee. Contact your local DOL office with proof of the error, and they will issue a corrected card at no charge.

Payment Methods and Where to Pay

Washington DOL accepts payment by cash, check, debit card, and credit card at in-person locations. Online renewal requires a debit or credit card. By-mail renewal requires a check or money order — do not send cash through the mail.

You can pay at any DOL office, online through the Washington DOL website, or by mail. If you pay by mail, include your check or money order with your renewal form and mail it to the address listed on the form. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks after the DOL receives your payment.

Some counties offer DOL services at local licensing offices or partner locations. Call ahead to confirm that your local office accepts the payment method you plan to use, especially if you are paying by check.

Fees for Commercial Driver's Licenses and Endorsements

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) in Washington costs $72 for the license itself, the same as a standard license. However, you must also pay for a knowledge test and a skills test if you are getting a CDL for the first time. The knowledge test costs $10, and the skills test costs $50. If you already have a CDL and are renewing it, you do not pay test fees unless you are adding a new endorsement.

Adding an endorsement to your CDL — such as Hazmat, Passenger, or Tanker — costs $10 per endorsement if you are renewing your license at the same time. If you are adding an endorsement between renewals, you pay $20 for a replacement card plus the endorsement fee.

A CDL medical certificate, required to drive commercial vehicles, is not issued by the DOL. You must obtain it from a certified medical examiner and submit it to the DOL. The medical exam itself is not a DOL fee, but the examiner will charge you for the exam, typically between $50 and $150.

Fees for Minors and Learner's Permits

A Washington learner's permit costs $37 and is valid for four years. The permit allows you to drive under supervision while learning. You do not need to pay a separate fee to upgrade from a learner's permit to a full license — the $37 permit fee applies to your first four-year license. When you turn 18 or reach the end of your four-year permit period, you can renew for an eight-year adult license and pay the $72 renewal fee.

If you are under 18 and need a replacement permit or license, the replacement fee is $20, the same as for adults. If your permit or license is suspended due to traffic violations or other violations of the Intermediate Driver's License (IDL) restrictions, you may need to pay a reinstatement fee to restore your driving privileges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Washington license online if I have moved?

No. Online renewal requires that you have no address changes. If you have moved, you must renew in person at a DOL office or by mail. By-mail renewal takes longer but allows you to update your address at the same time without paying an extra fee.

What happens if I let my license expire?

You cannot legally drive with an expired license. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew online — you must renew in person at a DOL office. You will still pay the standard renewal fee of $72 (or $37 if you are under 18). Driving with an expired license can result in a traffic citation.

Do I have to pay for a Real ID license in Washington?

No. Washington's standard driver's license has been Real ID-compliant since 2017. You do not pay extra for Real ID compliance. Your current license already meets federal requirements for air travel and federal building access.

How much does it cost to add a motorcycle endorsement?

Adding a motorcycle endorsement to your Washington license costs $10 if you are renewing your license at the same time. If you are adding the endorsement between renewals, you pay $20 for a replacement card plus the $10 endorsement fee. You must also pass a knowledge test and a skills test, which are administered by the DOL at no additional charge.

What is the fee for a duplicate license if mine was stolen?

A replacement license costs $20, whether it was lost, stolen, or damaged. You do not pay the full renewal fee unless your license is also expiring soon. If you need the replacement quickly, you can request expedited processing at some DOL offices, though expedited service fees vary by location.