You can renew your Washington tabs online through the Department of Licensing website without visiting an office
Washington State lets you renew your vehicle registration tabs online at dol.wa.gov using the online renewal system. You do not need to visit a licensing office, mail anything, or call anyone. The process takes about 10 minutes, and your new tabs arrive by mail within one to two weeks. You can renew online if your vehicle passed its last safety inspection, you have no outstanding violations or holds on your account, and your registration has not been expired for more than one year.
The system accepts payment by debit card, credit card, or electronic check. You will need your vehicle's current registration card, your Washington driver's license or ID number, and the vehicle identification number (VIN). If your address has changed since your last renewal, update it before you start the renewal process.
Key Takeaways
- Renew tabs online at dol.wa.gov by entering your vehicle registration number, driver's license number, and VIN.
- Online renewal works only if your vehicle passed its last safety inspection and you have no holds or violations on your account.
- Payment by debit card, credit card, or electronic check is processed when ready, and new tabs arrive by mail in one to two weeks.
- If your registration expired more than one year ago or your vehicle failed inspection, you must renew in person at a licensing office.
- Update your address through the online system before renewing if you have moved since your last registration.
What you need before you start the online renewal
Gather these items before you log into the renewal system: your current vehicle registration card (the paper document that came with your tabs), your Washington driver's license or ID number, and your vehicle's VIN. The VIN appears on your registration card, on the dashboard at the base of the windshield on the driver's side, and in your vehicle's owner manual.
If your address has changed since your last renewal, you will need to update it in the system. The renewal form will ask for your current mailing address, and the new tabs will be sent there. If you do not update your address before renewing, the tabs will go to the address on your old registration card, and you will have to contact the Department of Licensing to request they be resent.
How to renew your tabs step by step
Go to dol.wa.gov and look for the vehicle registration renewal link on the homepage. Click it to enter the online renewal system. You will be asked to enter your vehicle registration number (found on your current registration card) and your driver's license or ID number. The system will pull up your vehicle information and show you the renewal fee.
Review the information on the screen to make sure it is correct. If your address needs to be updated, do that now. Then select your payment method—debit card, credit card, or electronic check—and enter the payment information. The system will process the payment when ready and show you a confirmation number. Write down or save this number.
After you submit payment, you will receive a confirmation email. Your new tabs will be mailed to the address on file within one to two weeks. You can continue to drive legally on your old tabs until the new ones arrive. Do not remove the old tabs until the new ones are in your vehicle.
When you cannot renew online
If your vehicle did not pass its last safety inspection, the online system will not let you renew. You must visit a Department of Licensing office in person and bring proof that your vehicle has now passed inspection. The same applies if there is a hold on your account—this usually means an unpaid ticket, a lien, or an outstanding violation. The licensing office can tell you what the hold is and how to clear it.
If your registration has been expired for more than one year, you cannot use the online system. You will need to renew in person at a licensing office and may be required to have your vehicle inspected again. If you are not sure whether your registration is still within the one-year window, call the Department of Licensing at 360-902-3900 before you try to renew online.
What happens after you pay
The Department of Licensing processes your payment when ready and sends a confirmation email to the address on file. This email contains your confirmation number and a summary of what you paid for. Keep this email for your records.
Your new tabs are printed and mailed within one to two weeks. During this time, you are still legal to drive on your old tabs. Once the new tabs arrive, remove the old ones and place the new ones on your vehicle's license plate. Tabs go in the upper right corner of the rear plate (or the only plate if your vehicle has just one). Make sure they are fully visible and not covered by dirt or damage.
Renewing early or late
You can renew your tabs up to one month before they expire. The Department of Licensing recommends renewing about two weeks before expiration so the new tabs arrive before the old ones expire. If you renew early, your new registration period starts on the expiration date of your current registration, not on the date you renew. This means you do not lose any time on your registration.
If your tabs have already expired, you can still renew online as long as the expiration date is not more than one year in the past. However, you should not drive the vehicle on public roads with expired tabs. If you are stopped by police, you can face a traffic violation. Renew as soon as possible if your tabs are expired.
Troubleshooting common problems
If the system says your vehicle cannot be renewed online, it is usually because of a failed safety inspection, a hold on your account, or an expired registration that is more than one year old. Call the Department of Licensing at 360-902-3900 to find out which one applies to you. They can tell you what you need to do to renew in person.
If your payment was processed but you did not receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder. If it is not there, log back into the renewal system with your registration number and driver's license number. The system will show whether your renewal went through. If you still cannot find your confirmation, call the Department of Licensing.
If your new tabs do not arrive within three weeks of renewal, contact the Department of Licensing. Bring your confirmation number. They can check the status of your tabs and remail them if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my tabs if I just bought the vehicle?
No. You must first register the vehicle in your name at a Department of Licensing office. Once the registration is complete and you have a registration card, you can renew online in the future. New vehicle registrations cannot be done online.
What if I move out of Washington after I renew online?
Your tabs will still be mailed to the address you provided during renewal. If you move before they arrive, contact the Department of Licensing with your new address and confirmation number, and they can remail the tabs to you. If you are moving out of state, you will need to register your vehicle in your new state instead.
Do I need a safety inspection to renew tabs online?
Your vehicle must have passed a safety inspection at some point in the past for online renewal to work. If your vehicle failed its last inspection, you cannot renew online. You must have it inspected again and then renew in person at a licensing office.
Can I renew someone else's vehicle tabs online?
No. Only the registered owner or a person with power of attorney can renew tabs. If you are renewing for someone else, you will need their authorization and must renew in person at a licensing office with a signed power of attorney document.
What if my registration card is lost or damaged?
You can still renew online if you have your vehicle registration number. This number is also on your vehicle's title or insurance documents. If you cannot find the registration number anywhere, call the Department of Licensing at 360-902-3900 and they can look it up for you using your VIN and driver's license number.