How to renew

We will send you a notice when your vehicle tabs and registration are due for renewal. Please keep your address updated so the notice can be mailed to you.

How to renew your tabs

You don’t need your renewal notice to renew your tabs.

  • Renew online and pay with a MasterCard, Visa, or American Express credit or debit card (prepaid gift cards cannot be used).
    • If your vehicle requires an DOT number, you cannot renew online for the first year.
  • Renew in person at a vehicle licensing office and pay with cash, check, or money order. (Additional service fees may apply.)
  • Renew by mail. Follow the instructions on your vehicle renewal notice and pay with a check or money order.

Requirements

Before you renew:

  • Pay any unpaid parking tickets and related penalty fees.
  • If your vehicle has a declared gross weight over 55,000 pounds, pay Federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax.
  • If you live in a county with emissions standards, you must pass an emissions test.
  • Meet any other requirements listed on your renewal notification.

When you renew:

  • You must verify your residence street address or your principal place of business address.
  • All registered owners of the vehicle must present an unexpired driver license. For information on exceptions to this requirement, contact your vehicle licensing office.
  • You must pay all fees related to the renewal of your vehicle tabs and registration.
    • If your tabs are due to expire within 6 months, you can calculate your vehicle tab fees to find out how much it will cost to get your new tabs. For more information about renewal fees, see Renewal fees.
    • If you have a special license plate, you may have additional requirements or fees when you renew. For more information, see Special plates.

Donations

When you renew your tabs, you may choose to include a donation to the Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness Account or the State Parks Account with your total renewal fees. For details, see Donations.

Renewal deadlines

You can renew your vehicle tabs and registration up to 6 months before the expiration date. To find the specific date your tabs expire, check your registration or your notice.

Deployed military

If you are a member of the United States Armed Forces stationed outside of Washington when your vehicle tabs expire, you may receive a new expiration date. The expiration date will be 1 year from the day you apply, so the registration is valid for a full 12-month period.

To get this new expiration date, you must provide a copy of your military orders showing the dates you were stationed out of Washington. Your tab expiration date must fall within the dates shown on your military orders.

You may apply for this new expiration date in person or by mail. It isn’t available online.

  • Apply in person at a vehicle licensing office. Please bring a copy of your military orders with you so we can verify your deployment dates.
  • Apply mail. Be sure to include a copy of your military orders with your renewal notice.