For the Reporter
The Washington State Department of Licensing is preparing to launch a modernized driver licensing system at the end of August, and customers need to be aware of office closures and service disruptions.
In order to transition from the old system to the new system, driver licensing offices will be closed Friday, Aug. 31 through Sept. 3. Vehicle licensing offices may be open, but unable to provide licensing services.
Services impacted and not available are:
Customer Service Center
• DOL’s call center
• DOL’s on-line services
Driver license services
• Driver licenses
• Instruction permits
• Identification cards
• Enhanced driver licenses
• Commercial driver licenses
• Certified copy of driver record (abstract driving record)
Vehicle and vessels
• Vehicle and vessel registration
• Vehicle titles
• Reporting of sale of vehicles
• Pick-up of registration and tabs ordered through on-line services
Business and professional licenses
• Pro rate and fuel tax
• Counter services in Olympia and Vancouver
Beginning Aug. 26, and throughout the weekend, many DOL online services, like those used to buy car tabs and renew driver licenses, will be also be unavailable. A full listing of affected online services is now available on the DOL website.
“We encourage customers to come in early to complete their driver license and vehicle transactions to avoid the rush leading up to the new system cutover weekend,” said Teresa Berntsen, DOL director. “If you need to visit our offices, come in early, or skip the trip and renew by accessing our online services.”
Once complete, the second phase of the DRIVES project will improve services to citizens, agency business partners, and the state’s transportation system. State and federal agencies that rely on DOL data for public safety, licenses, identification cards, and revenue will also benefit from the new system.
This is the second in a series of overhauls to DOL’s legacy systems. The first phase, which updated vehicle licensing systems, was successfully completed in December 2016. A third project is planned to address the agency’s Business and Professional Licensing systems.
For more information about DRIVES, visit dol.wa.gov.
