Online Services in Washington

Even in the Evergreen State of Washington, a trip to the licensing office can sometimes leave you feeling wilted. Thankfully, Washington residents have plenty of options when it comes to online driver and vehicle services you can take care of from home.

Typically, the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) handles driver services, and there are plenty of other online transactions you can make with help from private vendors. You can check out the full list of DOL online services on the agency's website, but we've listed all of your options below to ensure you have the most information possible.

Washington Vehicle Services

Driving legally in America takes plenty of paperwork, and a lot of those documents deal with the vehicle you're driving around. But rejoice: you have plenty of options, offered both by the state and a number of private companies, to help you keep track of it all.

DOL

  • Renew your vehicle tabs.
  • Calculate vehicle tab fees.
  • Renew your boat registration.
  • Estimate boat registration fees.
  • Sign up for registration renewal reminder emails.
  • Report a vehicle sale.
  • Change the address on your vehicle registration.
  • Change the address on a fleet of vehicles.

Third Parties

  • Purchase auto insurance.
    • An absolute necessity for anyone hoping to drive their car on the road, you can find the perfect policy quickly and easily from the comfort of your own home.
  • Buy motorcycle insurance.
    • Motorcycle riders have just as many online options to pick out the best plan for you.
  • Vehicle registration renewal.
    • Going through the state can be a slow process. If you're more of a fast-paced person—or simply don't have the time to wait—a private company may be the better bet.
  • Order a vehicle history report or VIN check.
    • Before you buy, make sure you know what you are getting into. It not only helps you avoid undercover lemons, but can be a powerful tool when negotiating price. You can get your VIN check for:
      • Cars.
      • Motorcycles.
    • RVs.

WA License & Personal Records

Your vehicle isn't the only one that needs up-to-date paperwork to get on the road. You'll need to get your license, and in order to do so, you'll need to provide the state even more personal records. You can utilize both the DOL online services and outside companies to help make sure you have everything you need.

DOL

  • Pre-apply for your first WA license or state ID card.
  • Renew your driver's license.
  • Replace a lost or stolen driver's license.
  • Learn how to reinstate your license.
  • Check the status of your license.
  • Renew your state identification card.
  • Change the address on your:
    • Washington driver's license.
    • WA state identification card.
  • Purchase a driving record.

Third Parties

  • Order driving records.
    • State governments are often understaffed and overwhelmed with requests. When you go through a private company, serving you is their top priority.
  • Prevent identity theft.
    • It's a hard truth, but your private information becomes more vulnerable every day in our increasingly digital world. Don't be the next victim of this fast-growing crime.
  • Change your name.
    • If you're changing your name, you're likely also in the middle of planning or dealing with a number of other issues. Give yourself a break and let someone else sweat the details of keeping your identifying documents up to date.
  • Obtain a background check.
    • Background checks are notoriously complicated to complete. Using an experienced business will not only save you time and frustration but help ensure you have all the information you're looking for.
  • Get a criminal record check.
    • Compiling criminal records is another typically tricky transaction, but it doesn't have to be. Find a vendor who will do all of the legwork for you.
  • Order court records.
    • Stay in the comfort of your home and get your court records from a private vendor online.
  • Find your public records.
    • Just because they're public, doesn't mean they're easy to find. Don't run around every government agency trying to collect them all—let an experienced company do it for you.
  • Compile vital records:
    • The building blocks of other forms of identification, these documents are essential to have on hand. Available vital records include:
      • Birth records.
      • Death records.
      • Divorce records.
      • Marriage records.
  • Get an international driver's permit.
    • Planning an overseas trip can involve a multitude of paperwork. Give yourself a break and hire an experienced company to take care of this important detail.

Driver's Ed in Washington

These services aren't offered by the state, but that doesn't mean they are unimportant. Whether you're already driving daily or striving to get your license, these classes can make you better, smarter, and more aware of your driving environment.

Getting into a tricky legal situation is one of the most stressful things that can happen to a person. Both the Washington DOL and a number of private companies have your back, and will help provide you with the legal care you need.

DOL

  • Submit a DUI hearing request.

Third Parties

  • Hire a DUI attorney.
    • A DUI is a big problem. Don't deal with it on your own. A professional will know the best ways to help your case, and you can find one quickly and easily online.
  • Pay a traffic ticket.
    • Nobody's perfect. Take care of that citation with the help of a private company.
  • Hire a traffic ticket attorney.
    • Wrongfully cited? Don't get bowled over by the legal system. Find an experienced attorney to fight for you, without leaving the house.

Miscellaneous WA Services

There are plenty of other services you can perform through the WA DOL and with the help of third-party vendors.

DOL

  • Estimate your Regional Transit Authority excise tax.

Third Parties

  • Order an expedited passport.
    • A passport is an essential part of visiting an overseas destination, but don't let the wait for the document dictate when you can go on your adventure. The process typically takes weeks or even months, but an experienced vendor will help you get out the door—and on your plane—much more quickly.
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