Expiration date—Renewal—Fees—Penalty. (Effective until October 1, 2025.)
(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) or (5) of this section or RCW 46.20.1191(10), every driver's license expires on the eighth anniversary of the licensee's birthdate following the issuance of the license.
(2) A person may renew a license on or before the expiration date by submitting an application as prescribed by the department and paying a fee of $72. This fee includes the fee for the required photograph.
(3) A person renewing a driver's license more than 60 days after the license has expired shall pay a penalty fee of $10 in addition to the renewal fee, unless the license expired when:
(a) The person was outside the state and the licensee renews the license within 60 days after returning to this state; or
(b) The person was incapacitated and the licensee renews the license within 60 days after the termination of the incapacity.
(4) The department may issue or renew a driver's license for a period other than eight years, or may extend by mail or electronic commerce a license that has already been issued. The fee for a driver's license issued or renewed for a period other than eight years, or that has been extended by mail or electronic commerce, is nine dollars for each year that the license is issued, renewed, or extended. The department must offer the option to issue or renew a driver's license for six years in addition to the eight year issuance. The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this subsection.
(5) A driver's license that includes a hazardous materials endorsement under chapter 46.25 RCW may expire on an anniversary of the licensee's birthdate other than the eighth year following issuance or renewal of the license in order to match, as nearly as possible, the validity of certification from the federal transportation security administration that the licensee has been determined not to pose a security risk. The fee for a driver's license issued or renewed for a period other than eight years is $9 for each year that the license is issued or renewed, not including any endorsement fees. The department may adjust the expiration date of a driver's license that has previously been issued to conform to the provisions of this subsection if a hazardous materials endorsement is added to the license subsequent to its issuance. If the validity of the driver's license is extended, the licensee must pay a fee of $9 for each year that the license is extended.
(6) The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this section.
[ 2025 c 299 s 5; 2021 c 158 s 8; 2012 c 80 s 9; 1999 c 308 s 3; 1999 c 6 s 23; 1990 c 250 s 41; 1981 c 245 s 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 191 s 4; 1969 c 99 s 7; 1965 ex.s. c 170 s 46; 1965 ex.s. c 121 s 17.]
NOTES:
Findings—Intent—2025 c 299: See note following RCW 46.20.1191.
Effective date—2021 c 158 ss 2 and 5-11: See note following RCW 46.20.049.
Finding—Intent—2021 c 158: See note following RCW 46.20.049.
Effective date—2012 c 80 ss 5-13: See note following RCW 46.20.055.
Effective date—1999 c 308: See note following RCW 46.20.120.
Intent—1999 c 6: See note following RCW 46.04.168.
Effective date—1981 c 245: See note following RCW 46.20.161.
Effective date—1969 c 99: See note following RCW 79A.05.070.
Expiration date—Renewal—Fees—Penalty. (Effective October 1, 2025.)
(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) or (5) of this section or RCW 46.20.1191(10), every driver's license expires on the eighth anniversary of the licensee's birthdate following the issuance of the license.
(2) A person may renew a license on or before the expiration date by submitting an application as prescribed by the department and paying a fee as specified in subsection (6) of this section for an eight year license. This fee includes the fee for the required photograph.
(3) A person renewing a driver's license more than 60 days after the license has expired shall pay a penalty fee of $10 in addition to the renewal fee, unless the license expired when:
(a) The person was outside the state and the licensee renews the license within 60 days after returning to this state; or
(b) The person was incapacitated and the licensee renews the license within 60 days after the termination of the incapacity.
(4) The department may issue or renew a driver's license for a period other than eight years, or may extend by mail or electronic commerce a license that has already been issued. The fee for a driver's license issued or renewed for a period other than eight years, or that has been extended by mail or electronic commerce, is specified in subsection (6) of this section. The department must offer the option to issue or renew a driver's license for six years in addition to the eight year issuance. The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this subsection.
(5) A driver's license that includes a hazardous materials endorsement under chapter 46.25 RCW may expire on an anniversary of the licensee's birthdate other than the eighth year following issuance or renewal of the license in order to match, as nearly as possible, the validity of certification from the federal transportation security administration that the licensee has been determined not to pose a security risk. The fee for a driver's license issued or renewed is specified in subsection (6) of this section, not including any endorsement fees. The department may adjust the expiration date of a driver's license that has previously been issued to conform to the provisions of this subsection if a hazardous materials endorsement is added to the license subsequent to its issuance. If the validity of the driver's license is extended, the licensee must pay a fee as specified in subsection (6) of this section for each year that the license is extended.
(6)(a) The driver's license fee shall be $10 for each year that the license is issued, renewed, or extended.
(b) Beginning July 1, 2028, and on July 1st every three years thereafter, the fee under (a) of this subsection must be increased by $1 for each year that the license is issued, renewed, or extended.
(7) The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this section.
[ 2025 c 417 s 306; 2025 c 299 s 5; 2021 c 158 s 8; 2012 c 80 s 9; 1999 c 308 s 3; 1999 c 6 s 23; 1990 c 250 s 41; 1981 c 245 s 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 191 s 4; 1969 c 99 s 7; 1965 ex.s. c 170 s 46; 1965 ex.s. c 121 s 17.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2025 c 417 ss 305-307 and 401: See note following RCW 46.20.161.
Findings—Intent—2025 c 417: See note following RCW 82.38.030.
Findings—Intent—2025 c 299: See note following RCW 46.20.1191.
Effective date—2021 c 158 ss 2 and 5-11: See note following RCW 46.20.049.
Finding—Intent—2021 c 158: See note following RCW 46.20.049.
Effective date—2012 c 80 ss 5-13: See note following RCW 46.20.055.
Effective date—1999 c 308: See note following RCW 46.20.120.
Intent—1999 c 6: See note following RCW 46.04.168.
Effective date—1981 c 245: See note following RCW 46.20.161.
Effective date—1969 c 99: See note following RCW 79A.05.070.