(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) or (5) of this section, every driver's license expires on the sixth anniversary of the licensee's birthdate following the issuance of the license.
(2) A person may renew his or her license on or before the expiration date by submitting an application as prescribed by the department and paying a fee of forty-five dollars from October 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, and fifty-four dollars after June 30, 2013. This fee includes the fee for the required photograph.
(3) A person renewing his or her driver's license more than sixty days after the license has expired shall pay a penalty fee of ten dollars in addition to the renewal fee, unless his or her license expired when:
(a) The person was outside the state and he or she renews the license within sixty days after returning to this state; or
(b) The person was incapacitated and he or she renews the license within sixty days after the termination of the incapacity.
(4) The department may issue or renew a driver's license for a period other than five years from October 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, or six years after June 30, 2013, or may extend by mail or electronic commerce a license that has already been issued, in order to evenly distribute, as nearly as possible, the yearly renewal rate of licensed drivers. The fee for a driver's license issued or renewed for a period other than five years from October 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, or six years after June 30, 2013, or that has been extended by mail or electronic commerce, is nine dollars for each year that the license is issued, renewed, or extended. The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this subsection.
(5) A driver's license that includes a hazardous materials endorsement under chapter 46.25 RCW may expire on an anniversary of the licensee's birthdate other than the sixth year following issuance or renewal of the license in order to match, as nearly as possible, the validity of certification from the federal transportation security administration that the licensee has been determined not to pose a security risk. The fee for a driver's license issued or renewed for a period other than five years from October 1, 2012, to June 30, 2013, or six years after June 30, 2013, is nine dollars for each year that the license is issued or renewed, not including any endorsement fees. The department may adjust the expiration date of a driver's license that has previously been issued to conform to the provisions of this subsection if a hazardous materials endorsement is added to the license subsequent to its issuance. If the validity of the driver's license is extended, the licensee must pay a fee of nine dollars for each year that the license is extended.
(6) The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this section.
[ 2012 c 80 § 9; 1999 c 308 § 3; 1999 c 6 § 23; 1990 c 250 § 41; 1981 c 245 § 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 191 § 4; 1969 c 99 § 7; 1965 ex.s. c 170 § 46; 1965 ex.s. c 121 § 17.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2012 c 80 §§ 5-13: See note following RCW 46.20.055.
Effective date—1999 c 308: See note following RCW 46.20.120.
Intent—1999 c 6: See note following RCW 46.04.168.
Effective date—1981 c 245: See note following RCW 46.20.161.
Effective date—1969 c 99: See note following RCW 79A.05.070.
RCW 46.20.181
Expiration date—Renewal—Fees—Penalty. (Effective January 1, 2022.)
(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) or (5) of this section, every driver's license expires on the eighth anniversary of the licensee's birthdate following the issuance of the license.
(2) A person may renew a license on or before the expiration date by submitting an application as prescribed by the department and paying a fee of seventy-two dollars. This fee includes the fee for the required photograph.
(3) A person renewing a driver's license more than sixty days after the license has expired shall pay a penalty fee of ten dollars in addition to the renewal fee, unless the license expired when:
(a) The person was outside the state and the licensee renews the license within sixty days after returning to this state; or
(b) The person was incapacitated and the licensee renews the license within sixty days after the termination of the incapacity.
(4) The department may issue or renew a driver's license for a period other than eight years, or may extend by mail or electronic commerce a license that has already been issued. The fee for a driver's license issued or renewed for a period other than eight years, or that has been extended by mail or electronic commerce, is nine dollars for each year that the license is issued, renewed, or extended. The department must offer the option to issue or renew a driver's license for six years in addition to the eight year issuance. The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this subsection.
(5) A driver's license that includes a hazardous materials endorsement under chapter 46.25 RCW may expire on an anniversary of the licensee's birthdate other than the eighth year following issuance or renewal of the license in order to match, as nearly as possible, the validity of certification from the federal transportation security administration that the licensee has been determined not to pose a security risk. The fee for a driver's license issued or renewed for a period other than eight years is nine dollars for each year that the license is issued or renewed, not including any endorsement fees. The department may adjust the expiration date of a driver's license that has previously been issued to conform to the provisions of this subsection if a hazardous materials endorsement is added to the license subsequent to its issuance. If the validity of the driver's license is extended, the licensee must pay a fee of nine dollars for each year that the license is extended.
(6) The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this section.
[ 2021 c 158 § 8; 2012 c 80 § 9; 1999 c 308 § 3; 1999 c 6 § 23; 1990 c 250 § 41; 1981 c 245 § 2; 1975 1st ex.s. c 191 § 4; 1969 c 99 § 7; 1965 ex.s. c 170 § 46; 1965 ex.s. c 121 § 17.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2021 c 158 §§ 2 and 5-11: See note following RCW 46.20.049.
Finding—Intent—2021 c 158: See note following RCW 46.20.049.
Effective date—2012 c 80 §§ 5-13: See note following RCW 46.20.055.
Effective date—1999 c 308: See note following RCW 46.20.120.
Intent—1999 c 6: See note following RCW 46.04.168.
Effective date—1981 c 245: See note following RCW 46.20.161.
Effective date—1969 c 99: See note following RCW 79A.05.070.