State closes all driver licensing offices to the public

The Department of Licensing (DOL) is temporarily closing all driver licensing lobbies starting Tuesday in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All appointments are being canceled and no appointments will be made until further notice.

“The safety and health of both employees and customers is paramount. Sanitation products continue to be difficult to purchase and ensuring appropriate social distancing during in-person transactions is difficult,” Teresa Berntsen, Director of the Department of Licensing, said in a statement.

Most Washington residents are now eligible to renew their licenses, identification cards, or vehicle registration online. Many rules have been relaxed to accommodate online services. Persons under age 24 and older than 70 may renew online for the next 30 days, or longer if deemed necessary. DOL is also suspending the requirement to visit a licensing office every other renewal.

Mail-in options are available for vehicle registration, original title transactions, and driver’s license renewal.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that the REAL ID enforcement date has been extended to Oct. 1, 2021. Customers who want a REAL ID will have an opportunity to apply at a later date.

Vehicle licensing offices (VLOs) are contracted through county auditors and may be open. VLOs handle vehicle tabs, boat decals, and new license plates, reports of vehicle sale or transfer of ownership, vehicle/boat registrations, trip permits, replacement titles, and disabled parking placards or tabs. Be sure to check a VLO’s status and call ahead.

This story was originally published March 30, 2020 at 5:05 PM.