Renew online, by mail, or in person in Washington
Washington lets you renew your driver's license online if you meet a few conditions: your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must have a valid address on file, and you cannot have any medical or vision restrictions that need updating. If you may have access to, the online renewal through the Department of Licensing website takes about 10 minutes and costs $72 for a five-year license or $108 for an eight-year license.
If you cannot renew online, you can renew by mail or in person at a Department of Licensing office. By mail, you send in your current license, a completed process form, and payment. In person, you visit a licensing office, bring your current license and proof of residency, and walk out with a temporary license the same day while your permanent one arrives by mail in about two weeks.
Your license expires on your birthday. Washington sends renewal notices about 30 days before expiration, but you can renew up to one year early if you want to avoid a gap in coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal works only if your license expired less than five years ago, you have no medical restrictions, and your address is current with the Department of Licensing.
- Online renewal costs $72 for five years or $108 for eight years and takes about 10 minutes through the Department of Licensing website.
- If you cannot renew online, mail-in renewal requires your current license, a completed form, and payment; in-person renewal at a licensing office gives you a temporary license when ready.
- Washington lets you renew up to one year before your birthday, so you can avoid letting your license expire.
Online renewal through the Department of Licensing website
Start at dol.wa.gov and log into your account or create one if you do not have one yet. You will need your current driver's license number, Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system will ask you to confirm your address and answer questions about any changes to your vision, medical conditions, or organ donor status.
Once you submit, you will see a confirmation number on screen. Your new license will arrive by mail in about two weeks. You can use your confirmation number as proof of a valid license until the physical card arrives. There is no in-person visit required, and you do not need to take a new photo — Washington uses the photo from your current license.
If the system tells you that you cannot renew online, it will explain why. Common reasons are an expired license that is more than five years old, a medical condition on your record, or an address mismatch. In those cases, you will need to renew by mail or in person.
Mail-in renewal with forms and payment
Request a renewal process form from the Department of Licensing by phone at 360-902-3900, or read it from dol.wa.gov. Fill out the form completely, including your current address and any changes to medical or vision information. Sign and date it.
Mail the completed form, your current driver's license, and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. Include a return envelope with postage if you want your new license mailed to a different address than what is on file. Processing takes about four to six weeks from the date the Department of Licensing receives your packet.
You cannot drive legally while your mail-in renewal is being processed unless your current license has not yet expired. If your license expires before your new one arrives, you will need to renew in person instead to get a temporary license.
In-person renewal at a Department of Licensing office
Find your nearest office at dol.wa.gov or call 360-902-3900. Bring your current driver's license and one document that proves your current address — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days all work. You do not need an appointment in most offices, but some locations use an online reservation system, so check ahead.
At the office, you will answer questions about any changes to your medical history or vision, and the staff will take a new photo for your license. You will pay the renewal fee on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you, which usually takes about two weeks.
In-person renewal is the fastest way to get a valid license when ready if yours has expired or is about to expire. It is also required if you have medical restrictions, vision corrections, or other conditions that need to be reviewed by a licensing examiner.
Costs and license validity periods
A five-year Washington driver's license costs $72 for online or mail renewal. An eight-year license costs $108. If you renew in person, the fee is the same, but you may pay an additional $5 to $10 for the temporary license, depending on the office.
Your new license is valid for five or eight years from the date of issue, not from your birthday. If you renew early — up to one year before your birthday — your new expiration date will be five or eight years from the renewal date, not from your original birthday. This means renewing early can push your next renewal further into the future.
What to do if your license has been expired for more than five years
If your Washington license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must reapply as if getting a new license. This means taking a written knowledge test, a vision test, and a driving skills test. You will also need to provide proof of identity, Social Security number, and proof of residency.
Contact the Department of Licensing at 360-902-3900 or visit dol.wa.gov to schedule a knowledge test appointment. Once you pass the written test, you can schedule a driving test. The entire process usually takes several weeks. You will receive a temporary license after passing the knowledge test, which allows you to drive while waiting for your skills test appointment.
Renewing a license with medical or vision restrictions
If your current license has a medical condition code or vision restriction, you must renew in person. The Department of Licensing needs to review your medical history and may require a vision screening or a report from your doctor before issuing a new license.
Bring any medical documentation your doctor has provided, such as a letter confirming you are safe to drive or results from a recent vision test. The licensing examiner will review these documents and decide whether to renew your license with the same restrictions, remove restrictions, or add new ones. This process takes longer than a standard renewal — plan for 30 to 45 minutes at the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Washington license before it expires?
Yes. You can renew up to one year before your birthday. Renewing early does not reset your expiration date to your birthday — instead, your new license expires five or eight years from the renewal date. This means you can extend the time before your next renewal is due.
What if I moved and my address is not updated with the Department of Licensing?
Update your address before you renew. You can change your address online at dol.wa.gov, by mail, or in person at a licensing office. If you try to renew online and the system rejects you because of an address mismatch, renew in person instead and bring proof of your current address.
Do I need a new photo when I renew my license?
Not for online or mail renewal — Washington uses your current photo. For in-person renewal, the licensing office takes a new photo. If you want a new photo for an online or mail renewal, you must renew in person instead.
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail renewals take about two weeks for delivery. In-person renewal gives you a temporary paper license when ready, valid for 30 days, while your permanent license arrives by mail in about two weeks. If you renew by mail and your current license expires before the new one arrives, you cannot drive legally.
What if I lost my license and need to renew it?
If your license is lost or stolen, you must replace it before you can renew it. Contact the Department of Licensing to report it lost and request a replacement. Once you have the replacement, you can renew it using any of the three methods. A replacement license costs $20.