renewal of washington drivers license - WA

Is your address up-to-date?

You’re required to have your residence address on your driver license. If you need to update it, please change your address before you renew your license. When you renew, we match your residence address with the United States Postal Service (USPS).

How to renew your driver license

• Online and pay with a Visa, MasterCard, or American Express debit or credit card (gift cards not accepted).
  • You must be at least 24 years old to renew online.
  • When you’re done renewing online, print the receipt to use as a temporary license. It will allow you to drive legally, but can’t be used for photo ID since it doesn’t include your photo or signature.
  • Your new license will show the last photo we took of you at an office.
  • We’ll mail your new license to the residence address we have on file for you. You should get it within 10 days. If you don’t get it within 45 days, contact us at drivers@dol.wa.gov.
• By mail if you received our letter stating you can renew by mail. If you choose to renew by mail, include all of the following:
  • The payment coupon
  • A check or money order for the fee (payable to the Department of Licensing).
• In person at a driver licensing office.
  • You must pass a vision screening, and may be asked to take other exams to determine if you can safely operate a vehicle.
  • You may pay the renewal fee with:
    • Cash
    • Check
    • MasterCard and American Express credit or debit cards, and some Visa debit cards.
      • Credit and debit cards not accepted at Coulee Dam, Davenport, Friday Harbor, Forks, Goldendale, Newport, Republic, or South Bend.
      • A vendor-charged convenience fee is added to all transactions paid with a debit or credit card at driver licensing offices.

Renewing your license if you’re out of state

See Renew your driver license while out of state to learn how to renew if you’re not in Washington when your license expires.

Renewing your enhanced driver license/ID card (EDL/EID)

See Renew your EDL/EID to learn how to renew.

Renewing your ID card

See Renew your ID card to learn how to renew.

When you can renew your license

Typically, your license expires on your birthday every 5 years. You can renew up to 1 year before it expires if you renew:

• At a driver licensing office.
• or
• Online (if you’re eligible).

If you renew before you’re 21

If you renew your license before your 21st birthday, your new license will still be in the vertical format for minors. To get a horizontal-format license, you must be at least 21 years old when you renew.

Military personnel

You don’t need to renew during the term of your military service if you’re:

• A member of the armed forces or National Guard on active duty.
• A reservist called to duty for 180 days or more.
• The spouse or dependent of an active member of the military.

Your driver license remains valid as long as you’re on duty. For more information, see Military personnel.

Fees

• Renewal fee: $25.
• Late fee: $10. If it’s been 60 or more days since your license expired.