January 6, 2005 - For Immediate Release
State's online driver license renewal service starts strong
OLYMPIA—A new Internet service that allows many Washington state drivers to save time by renewing their driver license online appears to be catching on.
The new online driver license renewal service was launched on Nov. 1, 2004, and was used by 564 citizens during that initial month. Use of the Internet service more than doubled in December, when 1,271 drivers renewed their licenses or identification cards online.
“I'm very pleased this new service is following the same pattern of success we've seen with our other online service options,” DOL Director Fred Stephens said. “We expect this growth to continue as more people hear about how fast, easy and secure it is to renew a license or ID card without a visit to one of our offices.”
Online driver license renewal is the latest of more than 40 online licensing service options available through DOL's website. Since the DOL began providing service over the Internet in 1999, more than two million online transactions have been processed. Other Internet service options include purchasing vehicle and boat tabs, replacing lost or stolen driver licenses or ID cards, and filing a state master business license.
To qualify for this new service, which will allow eligible citizens to skip a trip to a licensing office every other time their driver license or identification card is due for renewal, drivers must:
- be between the age of 25-65 to renew a driver license, or age 25 or older to renew an ID card.
- not have any medical or vision condition that requires physician certification.
- have a social security number and digital photo on file with DOL.
- pay with a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card.
Eligible citizens will receive a special renewal notice in the mail that will include a personalized authorization number and instructions to complete the process. There are no additional fees to use the online service. Basic driver license renewals cost $25 and ID cards cost $15.
About 800,000 of Washington's more than 4.4 million licensed drivers renew their license each year. The Department estimates 50,000 drivers will be eligible to use the new online renewal service in any particular month.
Many licensing office services are also available online at www.dol.wa.gov.