Where to get your Redmond driver's license

Redmond does not issue driver's licenses. Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) handles all driver's licenses statewide, including for Redmond residents. You can explore for a new license, renew an existing one, or replace a lost or damaged license through DOL's office locations, online portal, or by mail, depending on what you need and whether you're may be able to access for each method.

The closest DOL office to central Redmond is in Bellevue, about 15 miles away. There is also an office in Kirkland, roughly 10 miles west. Both locations handle in-person applications and renewals. If you prefer to avoid a trip, DOL allows online renewal for standard licenses that are not expired by more than five years, and mail-in renewal for certain situations.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL), not Redmond city government, issues all driver's licenses for Redmond residents.
  • You can renew online if your current license is not expired by more than five years and you have no medical conditions or restrictions that changed.
  • New applicants and people renewing after a longer lapse must visit a DOL office in person with proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number.
  • The Bellevue and Kirkland DOL offices are the nearest locations to Redmond and accept walk-ins, though wait times vary by time of day and day of week.
  • Replacement licenses for lost, stolen, or damaged cards can be ordered online or by mail if you meet renewal criteria, or in person at any DOL office.

What documents you need for a new license or first-time renewal

DOL requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of residency, and your Social Security number. Acceptable identity documents include a valid passport, passport card, enhanced tribal ID, or military ID. If you don't have one of those, you can use a combination of documents like a birth certificate plus a school or work ID.

For residency proof, bring a recent utility bill, lease or mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your current Redmond address dated within the last 60 days. A piece of mail from your employer or school also works if it shows your address. You will also need to provide your Social Security number — you can write it on the process or provide your Social Security card itself.

Bring the originals of these documents, not copies. DOL staff will verify them and return them to you. If your name has changed since your identity document was issued, bring proof of the change (marriage certificate, court order, or divorce decree).

Online renewal: when you can use it

You can renew online through the DOL website if all of these are true: your current license is not expired, or expired less than five years ago; you have no medical conditions or restrictions on your license; your address has not changed; and you are between 18 and 64 years old. The online renewal costs the same as an in-person renewal and takes about two weeks for your new card to arrive by mail.

If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew online and must explore in person. The same applies if you have any medical restrictions, if your address changed, or if you are 65 or older (those renewals require an in-person vision test). You also cannot renew online if you are explore for a Real ID-compliant license for the first time.

In-person renewal and new applications at DOL offices

Walk into the Bellevue DOL office at 1125 104th Avenue NE, Bellevue, WA 98004, or the Kirkland office at 123 3rd Avenue, Kirkland, WA 98033. Both are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some extended hours on certain days. You do not need an appointment, but wait times can run 30 minutes to over an hour during lunch and late afternoon. Early morning or mid-morning visits typically have shorter waits.

Bring all required documents (identity, residency, Social Security number) and be ready to take a new photo and pass a vision test. The vision test is a straightforward reading of an eye chart — you do not need a separate eye exam. If you are explore for a new license, you will also take a written knowledge test unless you hold a valid license from another state or country.

The fee for a standard driver's license is $72 for an eight-year renewal (or $36 for a four-year renewal if you prefer). Real ID-compliant licenses cost $20 more. You can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

Real ID licenses and what they're used for

A Real ID-compliant license has a star in the upper right corner and meets federal security standards. Starting May 7, 2025, you will need a Real ID license, passport, passport card, or military ID to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. A standard Washington driver's license will no longer work for those purposes after that date.

Getting a Real ID license requires an in-person visit to a DOL office. You must bring the same identity and residency documents as a regular renewal, plus one additional document proving your Social Security number — either your Social Security card or a W-2 form, tax return, or 1099. The process is otherwise identical to a standard renewal, and the new card arrives by mail in about two weeks.

Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can order a replacement online through the DOL website if you meet the same criteria as online renewal (license not expired by more than five years, no changes to address or restrictions, age 18–64). The replacement card costs $20 and arrives by mail in about two weeks.

If you cannot renew online, visit a DOL office in person. Bring your identity and residency documents as you would for a renewal. If your license was stolen, you can also report it to local police and provide DOL with a police report number, though this is not required. The in-person replacement fee is the same as a renewal fee ($72 for eight years).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Redmond driver's license by mail?

Mail renewal is available only in specific situations: if you are a member of the military stationed outside Washington, if you are over 65 and your license is not expired by more than five years, or if you have a medical condition that prevents you from visiting an office. Contact DOL directly at 360-902-3900 to request a mail renewal form if you believe you may have access to.

What if I moved to Redmond from another state?

You must explore for a new Washington license in person within 30 days of establishing residency. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of identity, proof of Redmond residency, and your Social Security number. You will take a vision test and a written knowledge test. If your out-of-state license is still valid, you may not need the knowledge test — ask the DOL staff when you arrive.

How long does it take to get my new license after I explore?

If you explore in person, your new card is mailed to you and typically arrives within two weeks. If you renew online, the timeline is also about two weeks. You can use your process receipt as a temporary license while you wait for the card to arrive.

Do I need an appointment at the Bellevue or Kirkland DOL office?

No appointment is required. Both offices accept walk-ins during business hours. However, you can call ahead to ask about current wait times, and some DOL offices offer online scheduling through their website. Check the DOL website for your nearest office's specific policies.

What if my name changed since my last license?

Bring proof of the name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order) along with your identity and residency documents. You can renew in person at a DOL office or, if you meet online renewal criteria and your name change is recent, contact DOL to confirm whether online renewal is available for you.