What you need to do to replace a Washington driver's license

To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged Washington driver's license, you'll visit a Department of Licensing (DOL) office in person, bring proof of identity and residency, pay a replacement fee, and have a new photo taken. The process takes about 30 minutes at the office, and your replacement license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If your license was stolen, you may want to report it to local police first — though it's not required to get a replacement.

Washington offers one option for faster service: you can request a temporary paper license at the office that you can use when ready while waiting for your permanent card to arrive. This is especially useful if you need to drive right away.

Key Takeaways

  • You must visit a Department of Licensing office in person with proof of identity and proof of Washington residency to replace your license.
  • The replacement fee is $20 for a standard license replacement, and you'll have your photo taken at the office.
  • Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, but you can request a temporary paper license to use when ready.
  • If your license was stolen, you can report it to local police, but this is not required to get a replacement.
  • You can find your nearest DOL office and check current wait times on the Washington Department of Licensing website.

Documents you need to bring to the DOL office

Bring one document that proves your identity and one that proves you live in Washington. For identity, the DOL accepts a passport, passport card, military ID, tribal ID, or an ID issued by another U.S. state or territory. For residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or government mail with your current Washington address — it must be dated within the last 60 days.

If you don't have a current residency document, you can bring an older one (more than 60 days old) along with a secondary document like a bank statement, insurance policy, or school enrollment letter. Bring the originals, not copies. You'll also need to know your Social Security number, though you don't need to bring the card itself.

Where to go and how to schedule your visit

Washington has 34 Department of Licensing offices across the state. You can visit any office — you don't have to go to the one in your county. Find the office nearest you, current hours, and real-time wait times on the Washington Department of Licensing website at dol.wa.gov. Most offices are open Monday through Friday, with some offering Saturday hours.

You do not need an appointment for a license replacement. Walk-ins are accepted at all offices, though arriving early in the day or mid-week typically means shorter waits. If wait times are long at your nearest office, you can check a different location — the website shows wait times for all offices updated throughout the day.

The replacement fee and payment methods

A standard driver's license replacement costs $20 in Washington. This fee covers the replacement card and the photo taken at the office. You can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card at the office — checks are not accepted.

If your license was damaged rather than lost or stolen, you still pay the standard $20 replacement fee. There is no reduced fee for damage. If you're replacing a license that expired more than five years ago, you may need to retake the written knowledge test and vision test, which would involve additional steps beyond a straightforward replacement.

Getting a temporary license while you wait

At the office, you can request a temporary paper license that you can use to drive when ready while your permanent card is in the mail. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and looks like a printed receipt. Ask the DOL staff member to issue one when you complete your replacement — there is no extra charge.

The temporary license is not a physical card, so keep it with you while driving. It's accepted by law enforcement and at places that check ID. Once your permanent license arrives by mail, the temporary one is no longer valid, but you won't need to do anything — just start using your new card.

What happens if your license was stolen

If your license was stolen, you can report it to your local police department, but reporting is not required to get a replacement. A police report can be useful if you're concerned about identity theft or if someone might try to use your stolen license. If you do file a report, bring a copy to the DOL office — it's not necessary, but it documents the theft.

Whether or not you file a police report, the replacement process is the same: bring your identity and residency documents to a DOL office, pay $20, and get your photo taken. Your new license will have a different number than the stolen one, so the old license becomes invalid once your replacement arrives.

After your replacement arrives in the mail

Your new license will arrive at the address you provided at the DOL office within 7 to 10 business days. Check the envelope carefully — it will contain your new license card and may include other documents depending on your situation. Once it arrives, destroy your old license if you still have it, or straightforward stop using it.

If your license doesn't arrive within 10 business days, contact the Department of Licensing to check the status. You can call their customer service line or visit a DOL office in person. If there was an error on your new license — a misspelled name, wrong address, or other mistake — you can request a correction at a DOL office, though this may involve an additional fee depending on the type of error.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else pick up my replacement license from the DOL office?

No. You must be present at the DOL office to have your photo taken and complete the replacement in person. A representative cannot do this on your behalf. However, once your license arrives by mail, anyone can open the envelope.

What if I lost my license out of state?

You still need to visit a Washington DOL office in person to replace it. If you're currently out of state and can't travel to Washington when ready, you can wait until you return. In the meantime, if you need to drive in another state, contact that state's DMV about a temporary permit or replacement.

Do I need to retake the written test or vision test to replace my license?

No, not for a standard replacement. You only need to have your photo taken. However, if your license expired more than five years ago, Washington requires you to retake the written knowledge test and vision test as part of the replacement process.

What if my address changed since I got my current license?

Bring a residency document with your new address to the DOL office. Your replacement license will show your current address. You don't need to update your address separately — it happens automatically during the replacement.

Is there a way to replace my license faster than 7 to 10 days?

The standard mail delivery time is 7 to 10 business days, and there is no expedited mail option through the DOL. Your best option for when ready use is to request the temporary paper license at the office, which you can use right away while waiting for your permanent card.