March 27, 2009

Media advisory: DOL not closing 25 driver licensing offices on March 27

OLYMPIA — Media reports stating the State Department of Licensing will close 25 driver licensing offices on March 27 are incorrect.

The Department of Licensing is closing one office on this date. The Auburn Driver Licensing Service Office, located at 3310 Auburn Way N, Ste H, in Auburn, will close on Friday, March 27, 2009.

The closure of the Auburn office is part of an overall driver licensing office consolidation plan announced earlier this year by Governor Chris Gregoire. Under this plan, DOL may close as many as 25 driver licensing offices around the state over a period of 18 months, not all at once. Staff from these offices will move to other nearby offices.

During this 18-month time period, DOL will add new self-service options and expand and improve existing online service options. The agency is currently working quickly to offer driver license renewals over the phone or by mail. Customers also can conduct many transactions, including renewing a driver license or ordering a duplicate driver license, online at www.dol.wa.gov.

Citizens in the Auburn area that must visit an office in-person can go to:

Kent Licensing Service Office
25410 74th Avenue South, Kent, WA 98032
Phone (253) 872-6019

Puyallup Licensing Service Office
733 River Road, Puyallup, WA 98371
Phone (253) 840-4591

These offices are open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Federal Way Licensing Service Office
1617 South 324th Street, Federal Way, WA 98003
Phone (253) 661-5002

This office is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Citizens with questions about these changes can call DOL's Customer Service Center in Olympia at (360) 902-3900.