Washington State Department of Licensing

Let me start by saying that I’ve moved a lot and this was the best licensing experience I’ve ever been through.
Marla was wonderful – helped my husband and I get all of our licensing and even helped us correct an error on my last license. She was positive and happy and made the trip to the DOL actually enjoyable.
Arrive early (30 mins before it opens) and get in line. After we got in, only took 20 mins for the both of us.

If you complain about this place you never lived anywhere else. The fastest MV office other than Wyoming. Get there when they open like I did and be done in 8 minutes. Yes 8!

Slowest employees I have ever come across. I was number 66. It took an HOUR for them to get from 59 to 66. It’s like no one working here bad ever seen a computer before. Also, 5 of the 6 counters primarily served one group of numbers. Just one.
I’ve been going to the DOL for 17 years. This is the most inadequate one I’ve ever been in. These people are a waste of money to have working in here.

I just spent two hours waiting at this DOL because the woman I spoke to, Marla, forgot to send my information through the machine. Obviously mistakes happen, but I would not have been helped or even acknowledged had I not tried to talk to multiple different people to address that my name wasn’t being called. On top of not even being able to get my identification until two hours later, I did not at one point even hear anyone address that the mistake wasn’t my fault and no one had adequate answers to any of my questions. I got the sense that no one was informed on any of the processes and everyone just referred me to talk to Marla, who was the one who intially gave me the impression she didn’t know what she was doing. I will not be going to this dmv again as most everyone I saw leaving, which was everyone because of how long I had been waiting, looked unhappy with the service as well.

Can we have a moment of silent reflection to appreciate this DoL office? Can we appreciate for a moment when a monotonous aspect of life, such as renewing ones license, goes by smoothly and efficiently, and… pleasantly? with a DoL office?! This office is a godsend, especially when I remember having to deal with the Greenwood DoL office before it closed up While this particular location is up in the northern wonderlands of King County, its been the go to location for my last couple of DoL related visits because even when its been absolutely frikken packed, I’ve never waited more than 20 minutes to get my stuff sorted out. I had to come by yesterday to get my license renewed, and no kidding, I was in an out in about five minutes, new temporary paper license in hand. Also, major props to the staff, who have always been kind, efficient, and upbeat.

Fastest DMV visit ever!!! In and out in 20 mins! And my photo was not half bad either. Super helpful staff.

All these years and I had no idea this place was here until I had to drive my mother in law to transfer their out of state license! You might completely drive right by them unless you notice the signage on the west side of Aurora.
I brought a magazine to read and barely got through my second article when she was called up. All in all, we were there for less than 20 minutes and got a super-​friendly employee. The other employee who took her photograph was also patient. He gave her the option of retaking her photograph if she didn’t like the first one.
No driver license, motorcycle, or CDL testing. Bring cash or check because I think there’s a small surcharge on credit cards. No appointment necessary though you should check their website for wait times, I’ve found them to be pretty accurate. They are located on the ground floor of the office building so parking can be tricky during peak times.

It was late on a Friday morning when I came here to update my license. I almost didn’t because I didn’t want to deal with long lines and angry employees but Cynthia L. insisted it would be quick and easy here. Holy zombie monkeys was she right! I don’t think I was here more than 15 minutes… tops. All three of the employees I dealt with were happy and humorous. I tried to sit down twice and no sooner had my butt touched the chair I was getting back up to move to the next station. Super quick and friendly service here! Really… this is the opposite of what you’d expect from a DOL so I’ll be doing all of my DOLing (I made that word up but you can use it for free. You’re welcome) here hence forth.
I’m a huge fan.

I’m glad I decided to get my WA license at this specific location. After waiting only 15 minutes, on a Thursday morning, the lady who helped me with my transition to the state of WA was very attentive to details, was ready to answer all the silly questions I had, and made this a very stress free process.
There were 4 employees working at this time and about 20 people waiting to get serviced. The office is a lot bigger than the downtown location so I didn’t feel cramped or otherwise anxious among everyone else that was waiting.
Parking spots are limited because the office building is shared with others.
Bring cash or check otherwise they do charge a 3% credit fee.

This place was okay.
I went on a very busy day– the Saturday before license fees double for Washington State. I would call it the worst day of the year to go to the DOL, actually. Everyone was frantically trying to renew before the fees doubled.
There weren’t enough parking spots in the lot for all the people coming to get their license renewed so people parked down the street. I parked at Fred Meyer and walked over.
I was irritated with their website for not being more clear. I had gone to get my license renewed which still had 1 yr and 1 month left until it expired. I had a variety of reasons for wanting to renew and wanted to pay the lower renewal fee before the price doubled on Monday.
If I hadn’t waited for 2 hours and then found out that I could only get my license *replaced* I would be happier with the experience. Prior to going to the DOL I had done the questionnaire/​survey online and the site stated that I wasn’t eligible to renew online but that I could renew at an office.
The guy at the counter after I waited 2 hours in line was very unsympathetic and rude. Big surprise. «Sweetheart, you’re not eligible to renew yet, come back next month».
I told him that the website said I could renew in a DOL office but not online which is specifically why I came to renew at the office. He said this was wrong. He obviously didn’t care, and why should he? He’s not getting paid to be nice to people and had been shuffling hundreds of people in and out at that point.
So I waited 2 hours to get my license replaced. Sigh.
The woman who took my picture was very nice and cheery. If I was rating the office on her alone I would give 5 stars all the way.
I got my license replaced for the lower fee. It could have been worse but I still wish the website had been clearer about the renewal requirements. Overall, I guess the experience could have been worse but it definitely wasn’t great.
I have heard that this office is typically a good bet to get your license renewed on a normal day when it’s not an absolute madhouse. They don’t do testing at this location so that cuts down on the number of people they’re servicing.
Cash or check only!

Hard to get parked. They have maybe 20 Employee Spaces and not enough customer spaces. I drove around the parking lot 7 times.
(only 4 of the Employee Spaces were being used).
The lobby was packed (usually is). Only 4 people working. So we sat and waited for awhile. After 30 other people went ahead of us our number was finally called then we had to wait to get the picture taken because two of the attendants took pictures and they were both helping other customers.
Maybe if there wasn’t ten available lanes and only 4 people working, maybe if there was a place to park and not 20 employee spaces with only 4 spaces being used, maybe if the same people helping people weren’t also the people that took pictures I could have dealt with the wait or lack parking knowing they were doing everything they could to help me in a timely manner.
Also whats with the depressing décor. Blue/​gray dull décor and seating. Not bright lighting and then weird really colorful art.
They sure don’t want people to hang out there but have no problem making them hang out there. –_​– Adventures of going to the DOL

Who writes a review of an interaction with one of their local branches of a governmental agency? This guy! I wouldn’t normally, but my visit to the Department of Licensing was so pleasant and pain free, I feel compelled.
Having recently moved to the great state of Washington, I was really dreading getting a new license. Since this is one of the only places in the area with Saturday hours, I was prepared to waste half my life in there. You know what happened? My number was called within five seconds of taking my number… and then the clerk behind the counter jokingly apologized for making me wait so long. He then proceeded to transfer all my pertinent licensing with pleasantness and a smile. A smile! That’s never happened at the DMV.
The only downside is they don’t take Visa and charge 3% for all other cards. I heard another clerk blaming the issue on Visa, and I suspect it has something to do with the fees. Bring cash or a checkbook… if you still have one.

It’s hard to say that you’re a ‘fan’ of the DOL and I definitely didn’t think I’d ever say that.
But for this location, I must say that I am impressed!
I came back in August ’11 to get a new license due to marriage. The lady who assisted me was so kind and playful and answered all our questions without any hesitation.
I, unfortunately, had my wallet stolen recently and lost everything. I had to return to get a new license and got the same lady!
She was so kind and made the stressful process go so smoothly.
There are sometimes lines but they are not long as they do not do testing here. It’s pretty straight forward that they only offer renewals and ‘standard’ issues.
Love this location!

Best DMV office ever. All the staff were friendly, and even though it was crazy busy, they were fast and efficient. I spent more time in traffic getting there than I did waiting. I never thought going to the DMV could be so painless.

4 ½ months after moving across state lines, I finally got my act together to go change my license. I’d gone to a Bellevue location to get my vehicle tags changed right away and that experience was so horrible, it’s surprising I didn’t just keep my Nebraska license until it expires (in 4 years — I had just gotten in 3 months before we moved).
While researching locations for driver’s licenses and their services, I’d put out a question about enhanced driver’s licenses (ELD) on twitter. For those not in the know, these are ID’s that allow you to cross country lines by boat or vehicle with Canada and Mexico — a work-​around for a passport or passport card. In response to my twitter query, I got a response from a follower that the Shoreline location was probably the best location to go to for wait and pleasantness of the staff.
The hours are pretty standard DMV hours: 8:30 — 5 TWF, Th 9:30 — 5, Sat 8:30 — 2. Actually, I’m surprised at the Saturday hours. It’s probably packed on Saturday.
Nobody enjoys going to the DMV — well, except the kid who was sitting in front of me who clearly was excited about getting his learner’s permit. He was so excited, he was highly irritating, talking to – I hope it wasn’t his mother, but probably was his mother — the woman with him very close to her face and touching her completely inappropriately for an at least 20 year difference in their ages (let alone it was probably his mother.) I was highly uncomfortable, actually.
But other than that this was about as good as a trip to the DMV gets. I went on July 1 first thing in the morning, arriving about 8:45 am. It took about 15 minutes between when I walked in until my number was called. It took about 15 minutes at the counter to answer all the questions about changing my license to WA. It took another 10 minutes before they called to take my picture. They ask if the photo is okay with you. The first one was not for me. Really, I’m not thrilled with my second photo either, but in the interest of a line and the fact that this is a license and I’m getting older and probably no ID photo is going to be good ever again, I accepted it and kept the line moving.
The staff was quite friendly. Some are friendlier than others. One particular staff woman chatted heartily with her clients. My male staff member was less chatty, but pleasant enough. He and I mostly just eavesdropped on the not-​quiet conversation at the window next to us.
Again, this was as good an experience to go get a license as I’ve ever had (except possibly when I was 16 and getting my first license to drive). I’d recommend the Shoreline office to anybody who needs to change their license from out-​of-​state or renew. Be sure to check whether you qualify for their limited services. They don’t offer new license testing there.

I got a driver’s license in ten minutes (!) considering this is the DOL and not a place I actually want to spend time, this definitely warrants five stars! I came in at 3pm on a Thursday to swap my out-​of-​state license for one of the Washington variety and not a single person was waiting for service. Jackpot! The man who submitted my licensing paperwork was certainly not one for conversation, however, I didn’t go to the Department of Licensing to get star treatment or find a new BFF so I was satisfied. A different man took my photo and he was quite pleasant. He obliged me a second photo (by my request) when my hair was looking crappy in the first. Superb.
My advice, don’t go here during peak hours and if you get a bad picture, ask nicely for another!
Also, FYI, it looks like they accept plastic as payment now but I think they charge a fee.

If you come prepared with a book, laptop, or whatever other time consuming device you may possess, you will have a good experience at this location. The staff are friendly, courteous, and they understand that by the time you talk to them, you have been waiting for a while.
For the adventurous, there are a few local restaurants withing walking distance as well as a Baskin Robbins ice cream shop!
Be advised, this DOL location does not accept cards so bring cash or that checkbook thing the bank send you that you’ve never been quite sure what to do with.

In and out in 15 minutes for a license renewal!
The only thing is that the camera is placed at an awkwardly low height and they have this teddy bear with a sign that says to look at it while youre picture is being taken. Don’t do that. I look like a confused puppy in my drivers license photograph… for the next ten years. Maybe I’ll «lose» this one so I can get a better photo. And if I do, you can bet your bottom dollar that I’m coming back to this location! Previous wait times for me at other DOLs have been upwards of 2 hours. NO THANKS!

The wait was 2 hours on a Tuesday at 2pm.
Once I got up to the desk, it went fairly quickly. CASH/​CHECK ONLY!
Their wait times are accurate and the staff was friendly.
Also, only come here to get a license, renew, or a EDL… they do not do drivers or written tests here!

So my old fave Ballard and Greenwod are closed. Downtown does not take walk-​ins. My birthday is in 3 days! EEEEE Shoreline or West Seattle? major 99 construction vs the West Seattle bridge which always has someone stationed to follow me closely when I dont know which exit to take… I go Shoreline.
Arriving at 1030 due to construction reroute, I feel conflicting emotions. DAngies!!! I am late, well, the early crowd is likely gone by now.
There are 26 before me. The usual happens; people dwadle. don’t have adequate id, argue with the licensing staff, forget their money and have to go out to the car, all of us waiting watch this dreadful display of lack of preparedness which slows down everyone: thoughtlessness from our fellow human neighbors. GRR This may take forever!
I am out in one hour and 10 minutes. WHEW! No, I didn’t forget anything. The clerk laughed as he saw my materials all READY — extra ID, letter, checkbook, license pulled out.
My new license will make me look older. they have not improved that yet!