Renew your tabs

Your tab renewal options:

• Renew Tabs Online (Not through License eXpress)
• Renew with your License eXpress account (What is License eXpress?)
• Go to a vehicle licensing office
• By mail (If you got our letter)

How can I estimate my fees?

• Calculate your vehicle tab fees
• Estimate your Regional Transit Authority (RTA) excise tax

When do I need to renew my tabs?

Tabs expire every year.

To see when they're due, look at your license plate for the expiration month and year. You can also check your License eXpress account – it'll show you the month, day, and year they expire. It will show the address and email addresses we have for your vehicles.

Do you want to get renewal reminders?

• By email. Sign up, update or remove your email reminders.
• By mail. Please keep your address updated to receive them.

What might I need to do before or when I renew?

• If you've recently moved, update your address. Use your License eXpress account to see what addresses we have on file.
• If required, before you renew, take your car in for emissions testing. You don't need to bring your renewal notice to the test station.
• See other possible requirements.
• Pay any possible tickets or tolling fees.

Donations and other options when you renew:

• You'll have the option to donate to:
  • Organ and Tissue Awareness Account.
  • State Parks Account - $5 is automatically added, but you can change this amount.
• Purchase options:
  • Discover Pass - $30

How long does it take to get my tabs?

• By mail, within 5 business days. If you don't get them within:
  • 15 days, contact the office you ordered them from.
  • 15 - 90 days, you may be able to get replacement tabs but you must contact a vehicle licensing location before day 90 to qualify for a free replacement. See Replace lost or damaged tabs.
• If you're picking them up, they should be ready when you get to the office. You'll need to show photo ID.
• If someone else is picking them up, see the Authorized representative section below. They'll need to show photo ID.

If you don't get the tabs you purchased, contact a vehicle licensing location. We may be able to send a replacement, at no cost, if you meet these requirements:

• We verify that we issued the tabs, but you haven't received them within 15-90 days.
• We have your current mailing address.
• Return the original tabs to any vehicle licensing office, if they're ever found.

Authorized representative

Registered owners may authorize a representative to purchase and pick up a vehicle or vessel registration and plates. The authorized representative must present a valid photo ID and:

• A Power of Attorney
• A written permission, such as a note or check containing the following information:
  • Name and signature of the registered owners, and
  • Plate number, VIN, registration number, or HIN

If the person purchasing/picking up has the same last name or address as your customer on their photo ID, written authorization is not necessary.

Public disclosure laws require proof of identity whenever personally identifiable information is provided.

Business authorization

A business owner or representative picking up registration documents for an internet or mail in renewal must provide the office with a reasonable connection to that business. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Business card with photo ID
• Signed letter on business letterhead
• Attire with business logo
• Phone call from business

Are you part of the military or uniformed services?

If you're stationed outside of Washington when your tabs expire, you may be able to get a new expiration date.

If your current tabs expired less than 12 months ago, we'll give you a new full year registration period. Apply for a new registration period through a vehicle licensing location:

• By mail - Send all items below to an office of your choice:
  • Your tab renewal notice
  • Copy of your military orders
  • Check/money order payable to DOL
• or
• In person - Bring a copy of your military orders, so we can verify your deployment dates, with a check or money order for fees.

Can I deduct any of my fees from my federal taxes?

Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Motor Vehicle Excise Tax and Watercraft Excise Tax may be deductible. Check with your tax advisor.

Related information

• WA residents stationed outside the state: Vehicles & boats
• Is your address inside the RTA? (www.soundtransit.org)
• Good To Go! (Tolling)
• Pay outstanding balance

Questions? Need help?

• Call us: 360.902.3770 (TTY: Call 711)
• Email us: CustomerCare@dol.wa.gov
• Visit a vehicle licensing location