September 1, 2010

Driver licensing offices will be closed Sept. 4 through 7 for Labor Day holiday and temporary layoff

OLYMPIA — Due to state budget cuts, Department of Licensing offices will be closed for business on Tuesday, Sept. 7, as DOL employees take their third required temporary layoff day. Because this temporary layoff day directly follows the Labor Day holiday, all driver licensing offices will be closed Saturday, Sept. 4, through Tuesday, Sept. 7. Offices will reopen on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

The agency is advising individuals who need driver license services to try to take advantage of online service options or to plan carefully to minimize their wait if they have to visit an office in person.

“Our first two temporary layoff days taught us to expect longer-than-average wait times for several days following the temporary layoff,” Licensing Director Liz Luce said. “We expect the combination of the temporary layoff and Labor Day to significantly increase wait times in many offices.”

DOL customers can check the DOL website to see if they can renew or replace a driver license or ID card, obtain a copy of their driving record, and renew their vehicle tabs from the comfort of their homes.

If customers have to visit a licensing office in person, the department has tools to help. New videos posted on the DOL YouTube channel show customers how to use the agency’s office wait times and how to avoid visiting during peak business hours. These videos are located at www.youtube.com/user/WALicensing.

State temporary layoff days do not affect county or private vehicle licensing offices. A list of vehicle licensing offices is available on the department’s website.

Temporary layoff days for state employees were approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor in the face of a $2.8 billion budget shortfall.