Washington Driver License: How to Get, Renew, or Replace

A Washington driver license is issued by the state Department of Licensing (DOL), and getting, renewing, or replacing one all run through the same agency. A first-time standard license costs $111 for six years and requires a vision screening, a 40-question knowledge test, and a behind-the-wheel skills test. Renewals run $61 for six years and can often be done online. A lost or damaged card can be replaced for $20 through your License Express account.

Which Credential You Need

The DOL issues three credentials, and the right choice depends on what you plan to do with the card.

A standard driver license lets you drive on any public road in Washington and other states. As of May 7, 2025, TSA no longer accepts a standard Washington license for boarding domestic flights or entering certain federal facilities; you’d need a passport or another REAL ID-compliant document for those purposes.¹
An enhanced driver license (EDL) meets federal REAL ID requirements and works for domestic flights and federal facilities. It also substitutes for a passport at land and sea border crossings from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. You must prove U.S. citizenship to qualify.²
An Identicard is a state photo ID for people who don’t drive. It costs the same as a standard license, and residents on public assistance, in WIC, or under 25 without a permanent address can get one for $5.¹

An EDL is not a passport replacement for international air travel. If you fly to Canada, Mexico, or anywhere overseas, you still need a passport book.¹

Documents You’ll Need

Washington uses a tiered identity verification system. One strong document can be enough on its own; otherwise you combine documents from two lists. Your options:

One stand-alone document, such as a valid U.S. passport, a valid driver license from another state (or one expired no more than a year), a U.S. military ID, or a Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization with a recognizable photo.
Two A-list documents, such as an expired U.S. passport no more than a year old, a tribal enrollment ID, or a valid foreign passport with proper immigration paperwork.
One A-list document plus two B-list documents.
Four B-list documents, at least one of which establishes your name and date of birth (a certified birth certificate, consular report of birth abroad, or court-issued adoption papers).

The full lists are on the DOL’s identity documents page.³

If you have a Social Security number, provide it so the DOL can verify it with the Social Security Administration. If you don’t have one, you sign a declaration to that effect and can still get a license.³ An EDL requires additional proof of U.S. citizenship (typically a U.S. birth certificate or passport) and a background check that includes fingerprinting.²

Getting Your First License at 18 or Older

Start by creating a License Express account at dol.wa.gov and pre-applying online. Entering your information in advance cuts down counter time at the office.⁴

When you visit the office, you take three tests:

The vision screening requires 20/40 acuity with both eyes together, corrected or uncorrected. If you fall below 20/40, the DOL requires a formal exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. You cannot pass if your vision is worse than 20/100 even with correction.⁵
The knowledge test has 40 multiple-choice questions on traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving. You need 32 correct (80%) to pass.
The skills test puts you on real roads with an examiner, who evaluates turns, lane changes, parking, and overall vehicle handling.

After you pass and pay, the DOL issues a temporary paper license so you can drive right away. The plastic card arrives by mail in 7 to 10 days.⁶

Fees

Fees combine an application charge, a per-year issuance fee, and a $1 technology fee. You pick a six-year or eight-year term.

First standard license: $111 for six years, $131 for eight years.⁷
First EDL: $153 for six years, $187 for eight years.⁸
Standard renewal: $61 for six years, $81 for eight years.⁹
EDL upgrade from an existing license: $7 per year remaining on your current card, so anywhere from $7 to $56.⁸
Replacement (lost, stolen, or damaged): $20.⁷

Renewing Your License

Washington licenses expire on the sixth anniversary of your birthday after issuance, though you can choose an eight-year term at renewal. The DOL sends a courtesy renewal notice by email, postcard, or letter before the expiration date.¹⁰ Renew within 60 days of expiration and the DOL won’t charge a late fee, though you can still be ticketed for driving on an expired license during that window.⁹

Online, Phone, and In-Person Renewal

Most people can renew through License Express or by phone and skip the office entirely. You must renew in person if any of these apply:

You are 70 or older.
You need to pass a vision screening.
You need a new photo taken.
You renewed online the last time your license expired.

Because of that last rule, most drivers end up alternating between office visits and online renewals.⁹

Military Extensions

Active-duty military members stationed outside Washington have their licenses stay valid regardless of the printed expiration date, for the full length of service plus 90 days after discharge. You carry both your military ID and a DOL authorization card as proof. Spouses, domestic partners, and dependents who share the service member’s residence qualify for the same extension. Commercial driver licenses are the exception: federal rules cap CDL validity at eight years, so military CDL holders have to return to Washington to renew.¹¹

Replacing a Lost Card and Updating Your Address

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, order a replacement through License Express or at a DOL office for $20. The replacement keeps your existing photo and expiration date.⁷

When you move within Washington, you have 10 days to update your address. You can do that online for free through License Express, or by mailing a change-of-address form. Updating the address doesn’t automatically produce a new card. You can order one online for a fee, or just wait for your next renewal.¹²

Moving to Washington From Another State

New residents have 30 days from establishing residency to get a Washington license. You also need the Washington license before you can register any vehicles in the state.¹³ If you hold a valid license from another state, Washington generally waives the knowledge and skills tests. You still need to visit a DOL office, bring your identity documents, pass the vision screening, surrender your out-of-state license, and pay the first-license fees.¹⁴

Teen Drivers (Ages 16 and 17)

Applicants under 18 follow a graduated path. Before the DOL visit, the teen must complete 40 hours of supervised daytime driving and 10 hours of nighttime driving with someone who has held a license for at least three years.¹⁵ A parent or guardian either comes to the office or signs a Parental Authorization Affidavit.¹⁶

An intermediate license comes with two restrictions. For the first six months (or until age 18), the teen cannot carry any non-family passengers under 20. After that, the limit rises to three non-family passengers under 20.¹⁷ The teen also cannot drive between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver 25 or older. That nighttime restriction lifts after one year of safe driving: no at-fault accidents, no traffic convictions, and no violations of the intermediate rules themselves.¹⁵ A first violation of these restrictions gets a warning letter; a second brings a six-month suspension (or until the teen turns 18); a third suspends the license until the 18th birthday.

Penalties for Driving Without a Valid License

Driving without a license is a traffic infraction carrying a fine of up to $250.¹⁸ That’s the lowest tier. Driving on a suspended or revoked license is much more serious. Washington grades the offense in three degrees: third-degree (often tied to unpaid tickets or missing proof of insurance, where you’re still eligible to reinstate) is a misdemeanor; second-degree (where you aren’t eligible to reinstate) is a gross misdemeanor; first-degree (habitual offenders under an active revocation order) is a gross misdemeanor with mandatory minimum jail time of 10 days on a first conviction, 90 days on a second, and 180 days on a third. If a DUI conviction arises from the same incident, the minimum jumps to 90 days regardless of prior offenses.¹⁹

The distance between a $250 ticket and mandatory jail is why letting a license lapse, miss a renewal window, or sit under an unresolved suspension is worth fixing promptly. Renewing online takes a few minutes; the alternative, in a bad case, is a criminal record.

1
Washington State Department of Licensing. REAL ID
2
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.20.202 – Enhanced Driver’s License or Identicard
3
Washington State Department of Licensing. Documents for Proof of Identity
4
Washington State Department of Licensing. Pre-Apply Online
5
Washington State Legislature. a href=”https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=308-104-010″ target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>WAC 308-104-010
6
Washington State Department of Licensing. Driver License Application: Ages 18+
7
Washington State Department of Licensing. Driver Licensing Fees
8
Washington State Department of Licensing. Get an Enhanced Driver License (EDL)
9
Washington State Department of Licensing. Renew Driver License
10
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.20.181 – Expiration Date, Renewal, Fees, Penalty
11
Washington State Department of Licensing. Driver License Designations for Military Personnel and Veterans
12
Washington State Department of Licensing. Change Your Name or Address on Your Driver License
13
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.20.021
14
Washington State Department of Licensing. Moving to Washington: Get a Driver License
15
Washington State Department of Licensing. Driver License Application: Ages 16 to 17
16
Washington State Department of Licensing. Parental Authorization Affidavit Form
17
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.20.075 – Intermediate License
18
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.20.005
19
Washington State Legislature. RCW 46.20.342 – Driving While License Invalidated, Penalties