Renewing your Washington license online, by mail, or in person

You can renew your Washington driver's license through the Department of Licensing (DOL) website, by mail, or at a licensing office — and which route works depends on whether your license is still valid and what type of license you hold. If your license hasn't expired yet, you can renew online or by mail starting 60 days before the expiration date. If it's already expired, you'll need to renew in person at a licensing office. The online option is fastest and costs $82 for a standard five-year renewal.

Washington licenses expire on your birthday, five years after issue. The DOL sends a renewal notice to your address on file about 60 days before expiration — but don't wait for it to arrive. You can start the process as soon as you're within that 60-day window.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $82; you'll receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
  • Mail renewal requires the renewal notice from DOL, a check or money order, and takes 2 to 3 weeks; you cannot mail in a renewal without that notice.
  • In-person renewal at a licensing office is required if your license has already expired, and you'll need a valid ID, proof of residency, and your Social Security number.
  • You cannot renew online if you have a commercial driver's license (CDL), a motorcycle endorsement, or certain medical conditions on your record.
  • If you've changed your name or address since your last license, you'll need to update that information during renewal, which may require additional documents.

Renewing online through the DOL website

Online renewal is the fastest option if your license is still valid. Go to dol.wa.gov, click "Renew Your License," and log in with your driver's license number and date of birth. You'll answer questions about any changes to your address, name, or medical conditions, then pay the $82 renewal fee with a debit or credit card. The system will confirm your renewal when ready.

Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives — there's no gap in validity. Online renewal is not available if you hold a CDL, have a motorcycle endorsement, or have certain medical restrictions flagged on your record; the system will tell you if you're ineligible and direct you to mail or in-person options.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal requires the renewal notice that DOL sends to your address on file. You cannot renew by mail without this notice — it contains a barcode and security information the DOL needs to process your process. If you haven't received your notice within 60 days of your expiration date, contact the DOL at 360-902-3900 before mailing anything.

To renew by mail, sign the back of your renewal notice, include a check or money order for $82 made payable to "Department of Licensing," and mail both to the address printed on the notice. Do not include your license itself. Mail processing takes 2 to 3 weeks, so send it at least three weeks before your expiration date if you want the new license before your current one expires. Your new license will arrive by mail, and you can drive on your current license until it does.

Renewing in person at a licensing office

You must renew in person if your license has already expired, if you're ineligible for online renewal, or if you prefer to walk out with a temporary license the same day. Bring your current license (even if expired), a valid ID if your license is expired, proof of your current Washington address, and your Social Security number or ITIN. Proof of address can be a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.

The renewal fee is $82 at the counter. If you renew in person, you'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent license is mailed to you. Licensing offices are open Monday through Friday; hours vary by location. You can find your nearest office and check hours at dol.wa.gov/offices. Wait times are typically shortest on weekday mornings and longest on Fridays and near expiration dates.

Updating your name or address during renewal

If you've changed your name since your last license, you'll need to provide legal documentation of the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you've moved and your address on file is outdated, you can update it during any renewal method. Online renewal will ask you to confirm or change your address; by mail, write your new address on the renewal notice; in person, tell the clerk and bring proof of your new address.

If you're changing your name, you cannot do this online — you must renew by mail or in person and bring the legal document proving the change. The DOL will not process a name change without documentation.

What happens if your license expires before you renew

If your license expires before your new one arrives, you can still drive legally if you have proof that you've submitted a renewal process. Keep your renewal notice (if you renewed by mail) or a screenshot of your online confirmation until your new license arrives. If you're pulled over, show the officer your expired license and your proof of renewal.

However, if your license has been expired for more than a year, you'll need to take the written test and vision test again, even if you're just renewing. If it's been expired for more than five years, you may need to retake the driving test as well. To avoid this, renew before your expiration date or renew in person when ready after expiration.

Renewing a commercial driver's license (CDL)

CDL renewals cannot be done online or by mail — you must renew in person at a licensing office. Bring your current CDL, proof of residency, your Social Security number, and a valid ID if your CDL is expired. You'll need to pass a vision test and answer medical questions. The renewal fee is $82, the same as a standard license.

If your CDL has been expired for more than a year, you'll retake the written test. If it's been expired for more than five years, you'll retake both the written and driving tests. Plan to spend 30 to 45 minutes at the licensing office for a CDL renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license before the 60-day window?

No. The DOL system only allows renewal starting 60 days before your expiration date. If you try earlier, the online system will reject your process. If you need to renew urgently for travel or another reason, you can renew in person at a licensing office and receive a temporary license when ready.

What if I've moved out of Washington but still have a Washington license?

You should get a license from your new state instead of renewing your Washington license. However, if you're renewing before moving, you can do so online or by mail. If you've already moved, you'll need to renew in person and bring proof of your current out-of-state address, which complicates the process — it's simpler to get a license in your new state.

How much does renewal cost?

Standard renewal costs $82 for a five-year license. If you're 65 or older, renewal costs $37 for a five-year license. Military members on active duty can renew for free. Payment methods vary by renewal type: online accepts debit or credit card, mail requires check or money order, and in-person accepts cash, check, card, or money order.

Can I renew if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?

Yes. Washington does not suspend license renewal for unpaid traffic fines or court-ordered fines. However, if your license itself has been suspended for a separate reason (such as a DUI conviction or failure to appear in court), you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact the DOL at 360-902-3900 to check your suspension status.

What if my renewal gets lost in the mail?

Contact the DOL at 360-902-3900 with your driver's license number and the date you mailed your renewal. They can check whether your process was received and processed. If it was processed but the license was lost, they can reissue it. If it wasn't received, you'll need to renew again — either online, by mail, or in person.