Pre-apply online

See if you can avail of the option of pre-applying online.

• You can pre-apply, if youre a WA resident with a street address, 18 or older, never had a WA driver license, instruction permit, or ID card. Pre-applying online will save you time at a driver licensing office where you will complete the application process.
• You cant pre-apply, if youre not a resident, have other address issues, have or have had a WA driver license, instruction permit, or ID card. You will need to directly apply at a driver licensing office, or if your applying for an Enhanced card, visit a EDL/EID office.
• You may be able to pre-apply if, you have a valid license from another state.

1. Visit a driver licensing office to finish(for those who pre-applied online) or start your application.
2. Bring the following with you:
   Proof of identity
   WA residence street address
   Social Security number (mandatory to help enforce child support laws) Note: You do not need to show the card. The licensing office would still be able to verify it.
3. For those who do not have a Social Security number, you must verify your WA residence address before you can proceed.
4. Pay the fees.
5. Applicants will need to pass a knowledge test at a training and testing location then schedule a drive test. Note: Additional fees may apply.
6. Applicants are required to pass a vision screening.
7. If you plan to practice driving, apply for an instruction permit.
8. When you apply for a license you will also need to decide whether you would register as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Note: You may check LifeCenter Northwest for more information.
9. Take the drive test at a training and testing location. Note: Additional fees may apply.
10. Once you pass the drive test, you may now get your license:
    Apply Online. If you have a WA photo instruction permit and dont have any driving violations or license suspension/revocations. or
    In Person. At a driver licensing office.
11. Youll get your temporary license:
    Online - When you print your receipt (temporary license). or
    In an office - before you leave.
12. DOL will mail your permanent license within 710 days. If you dont receive it within 30 days, you will need to go to a driver licensing office.

• Proof of Washington Residence
• Proof of identity.
• Evidence of Social Security number. If you don't have one, youll need to show proof of Washington residence.

Proof of Washington Residence

For applicants who do not have a Social Security number, bring as many of the following documents as possible to be reviewed as proof of your Washington residence address:

• Home utility bill (gas, electric, water, garbage, land-line telephone, or ISTA. etc):
  • Not acceptable: Cable, internet or satellite TV bills.
• A college or university document that has your current residential address on file.
  • Off-campus students: Bring the printout from the SEVIS database which:
    • States the address where you currently live.
    • Proof it was printed by the Designated School Official or Responsible Officer.
• Selective Service card with your current residential address.
• Vehicle title (not a Quick Title with a tamper proof tape over the VIN and Title number).
• Bank-issued documents that include your name and current residential address (or your previous address if youve recently moved). Examples:
  • Account statement
  • Credit card statement
  • Mortgage statement

Notes:

• Your documents must include your name and current Washington residential address.
• If you recently moved to a new address, bring both your current and previous documents to prove you were living in Washington.
• Documents other than the ones listed above may be taken into consideration if they show you reside in Washington.
• Its illegal to present fraudulent documents. If the Licensing Office find that your documents are fraudulent, you wont be able to reapply for 364 days.

Proof of identity:

• For those under 18 years old: Documents you may present
• For those 1825 years old:Documents you may present
• For those over 25 years old:Documents you may present
• For those aged 18 or older and have been assigned court guardians:Documents you may present
• For those enrolled in Job Corps:Documents you may present

Documents that will be accepted:

• Original or certified copies of the documents listed below.
• Multiple documents issued by a foreign government or organization, must be approved by the Licensing Office and will be accepted as separate documents. Currently accepted multiple documents are those issued by the:
  • Mexican government
  • Guatemalan government

Notes:

• The Licensing office may ask for more documents.
• The list may change without notice.

Stand-alone Documents:

• Washington State driver license, ID card, or instruction permit Valid or has expired within 1 year, has your signature, date of birth and photo.
• Out-of-state driver license, ID card, or instruction permit (if you have a Social Security number) Valid or expired within 60 days and has your photo. Give the Licensing Office your Social Security number so they can verify it.
• U.S. armed services ID card with photo Valid.
• U.S. passport Valid, has your signature and photo (an emergency passport isnt acceptable).
• Immigration ID with signature Valid, from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service, with:
  • Your signature and photo which are identifiable (I-327, I-551, I-571, I-766). or
  • A Signature Waived notation or encrypted signature on the back of the card.
• U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization An original with your signature and photo.
• Department of Social and Health Services Childrens Administration (DSHS CA) ID letter If you're in:
  • Court-ordered foster care with DSHS, or
  • Another supervising Washington agency as your legal custodian, then
  • You may prove your identity with an ID letter from DSHS CA.

A-List Documents:

• Out-of-state driver license, ID card or instruction permit (if you dont have a Social Security number) Valid or has expired within 60 days and has your photo.
• Driver license from a foreign country Valid or has expired within 60 days, has security features and is verifiable.
• Federal or state employee ID card Valid, shows your signature and photo.
• Foreign passport Valid and stamped U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) entry form I-94/I94W or Temporary I-551 ADIT stamp.
• Tribal enrollment ID card Must be federally-recognized Indian tribal enrollment card, or U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs ID card (Must have your signature and photo).
• Original U.S. Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization Where your signature and photo arent identifiable.
• Verification letter If youre on work release, or supervised by an agency that we have an agreement with, you may provide a verification letter from that agency. DOL currently have agreements with:
  • Washington State Department of Corrections electronic version only.
  • U.S. Federal correction authorities (FDOC).
  • Department of Social and Health Services Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (DSHS JRA) electronic version only.
  • DSHS Childrens Administration (CA) for foster youth only.
  • Western State Hospital (WSH).
• Washington city or county police employee ID card Valid, has your signature and photo.
• U.S. Passport card has your name and photo.

B-List Documents:

Documents that establish your name and date of birth

• Certified birth certificate. (Puerto Rico birth certificates must have an issue date of July 1, 2010 or later to be accepted.)
• Certified Washington birth registration card.
• A valid concealed weapons permit issued by a Washington county.
• Consular report of birth abroad.
• Court-issued adoption papers.
• Military DD 214.
• U.S. driver license, photo instruction permit, or ID card (invalidated or expired within the past 5 years).
• U.S. passport (expired within the past 5 years).
• Valid U.S. visa.
• Veteran Administration ID with your name, photo, and date of birth.
• Ward of the Court decree/Order of Dependency.
• Washington State driver license, photo instruction permit, or ID card (invalidated or expired within the past 5 years).

Other acceptable B-List Documents with your name and date of birth, signature, photo, or current WA residence address:

• Divorce decree that has your name and signature (filed with the county).
• Driving record from another state issued within the past 30 days.
• Foreign passport that has expired within 5 years, or without an I-94/I-94W form or temporary I-551 ADI

Driver Licensing Offices in Washington

Before you can get a driver license, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Pass a traffic safety education course.
• Instruction permit: If youre over 18, you may apply at any time; an instruction permit is only required to practice driving.
• Not have any traffic violations within 6 months of applying for the license.
• Not have been convicted of any alcohol or drug offense while holding an instruction permit.

Driver license: $35 application fee + $54 issuance fee = TOTAL: $89

Driver license - 6 yrs

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e.g. The state office holds birth records since january 1908.

• Full Name
• Permanent Residential Address
• Date of Birth
• Age
• Social Security Number

A driver's license or driving license is an official document which states that a person may operate a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle, car, truck or a bus, on a public roadway.

Also used as identification and proof of age.

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Please explain what are other uses of obtaining this document/certificate.
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Washington State Department of Licensing

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