If you need to replace your Washington driver’s license or learner’s permit, you can do it online, in person, or through the mail. You are permitted to replace your driver’s license up to three times per year, and the fee is $20.

Replacement driver’s licenses and ID cards can be issued in Washington online or in person
Appointments are required to replace your license at a driver licensing office, so set one up before heading there
If you’ll be out of state for an extended period, you may be able to get a replacement license via mail

MORE: How to save on your Washington car insurance costs

How to replace a lost driver’s license in Washington

If your Washington driver’s license or instruction permit has been lost or stolen, it’s important to replace it as soon as you can—driving without a license can result in traffic tickets and other stiff penalties.

If you think your license may have been stolen: Washington recommends that you file a police report and inform the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL). They may choose to issue you a new license number to prevent identity theft.

If your license was due to expire in three months or less: Washington prefers that you renew it, rather than replacing it.

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Replacing a lost Washington license online

Washington has two different routes for replacing a lost license online:

If you have a

License Express

account: You can use it to quickly order a replacement. Creating a License Express account saves all your personal, license, and car information in one place and is a great way to do all things DOL. Check it out!

If you don’t have a License Express account: You can still order a duplicate license online through the standard

DOL online services

page. Be prepared to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address.

You are not eligible to order a replacement license online if:

You are under 18 years of age

You have moved out of state

You have changed your name

You have unpaid fines or dishonored checks

You’ve had a license suspension or revocation

You want to get an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) or REAL ID, which requires an in-person visit to the DOL

How to pay: Payment of the $20 fee can be made via credit card or bank information. For credit cards, there may be an additional processing fee attached.

Keep in mind: You can expect to get your license replacement in the mail in two to four weeks—in the meantime, you can print out a temporary one. This won’t have your picture on it, though, so it can’t be used for ID purposes.

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Replacing a lost Washington license in person

If you are not able to order a replacement online, you can apply for one at your local

DOL office

. Appointments are required, so make sure you schedule ahead of time.

Consult the DOL’s

proof of identity info

for detailed instructions and guidance on what documents you will need to bring.

Be prepared to present:

Proof of identity: Your birth certificate or passport

Social Security documents: Your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form

Proof of current address: A mortgage statement or utility bill

Fill out the required paperwork and pay your $20 fee at the DOL office. Some locations do not take credit or debit cards, so make sure you know what’s accepted at the office you’re headed to. You will get a temporary license until your permanent replacement arrives in two to four weeks.