WA DOL DL Re new

Alexx1401 · Feb 21, 2026

Have not seen this mentioned before here. I had to reup my Drivers License. Last reup they let me do online, GREAT! So this time told me had to come in

This has always been something I would rather have a root canal than do. So I see they now do it by appointment here which looked interesting. So I made an appointment for morning. I drive up and there is a line going out the door of the place. I thought the appointment did a lot of damn good

I was in for quite a shock. Line moved very fast. On my phone I clicked that I was there while in line. First stop is desk with clerk asking why you are here and did you make an appointment. As soon as he looked up my name he said you're ready to go, have a seat and watch for the number on your phone. I was called to the window two minuets after my time. Take my pic, tap my card, good for 8 more years. I walked out in shock. Local government actually did something REALLY well, still feel like it was all a dream. :s0140:

Nosferatu · Feb 21, 2026

So if you still had to wait in line, then be sent back to sit and wait for another clerk to come available, WTF was the point of the 'appointment'?

trevi · Feb 21, 2026

Nosferatu said:
So if you still had to wait in line, then be sent back to sit and wait for another clerk to come available, WTF was the point of the 'appointment'?

Guess they want you to see your tax "dollas" at work. :s0092:

Alexx1401 · Feb 21, 2026

Nosferatu said:
So if you still had to wait in line, then be sent back to sit and wait for another clerk to come available, WTF was the point of the 'appointment'?

Don't know if the DMV is different where you are but here? All my life its been come in, take number, and grow old. I don't remember it ever taking less than an hour of sitting there on a "good day".
Now? The initial line is to get to the first clerk. Who asks you "what are you here for and did you make an appointment. When I said Renew and yes he could see I already had a number and pointed me to the seating area. I got there about :10 before my appointment at 8:45. At 8:47 I was called up. I have been dealing with this for over 50 years and have never seen it like this. The "norm" would have been me arriving at 8:35 and leaving by 10:00 if all went well.
While I was waiting I heard many others who did not have the appointment. They were handed a paper number. Soon I heard him telling them to leave and come back in about :15 to try again as they were full. The people without appointment who had a paper number were put in the que as there was openings. That being when no one who had an appointment was waiting.

Nosferatu · Feb 21, 2026

Alexx1401 said:
Don't know if the DMV is different where you are but here? All my life its been come in, take number, and grow old. I don't remember it ever taking less than an hour of sitting there on a "good day".
Now? The initial line is to get to the first clerk. Who asks you "what are you here for and did you make an appointment. When I said Renew and yes he could see I already had a number and pointed me to the seating area. I got there about :10 before my appointment at 8:45. At 8:47 I was called up. I have been dealing with this for over 50 years and have never seen it like this. The "norm" would have been me arriving at 8:35 and leaving by 10:00 if all went well.
While I was waiting I heard many others who did not have the appointment. They were handed a paper number. Soon I heard him telling them to leave and come back in about :15 to try again as they were full. The people without appointment who had a paper number were put in the que as there was openings. That being when no one who had an appointment was waiting.

TLDR translation for non-boomers: Appointment helped save about 15 minutes and the possibility of being turned away, even though an initial line was still involved.

Got it! :s0155:

Knobgoblin · Feb 21, 2026

Was it " real " ID?

That's what I am finally going to do this year. Can't see avoiding it any longer.

2ndtimer · Feb 21, 2026

Alexx1401 said:
Have not seen this mentioned before here. I had to reup my Drivers License. Last reup they let me do online, GREAT! So this time told me had to come in
This has always been something I would rather have a root canal than do. So I see they now do it by appointment here which looked interesting. So I made an appointment for morning. I drive up and there is a line going out the door of the place. I thought the appointment did a lot of damn good
I was in for quite a shock. Line moved very fast. On my phone I clicked that I was there while in line. First stop is desk with clerk asking why you are here and did you make an appointment. As soon as he looked up my name he said you're ready to go, have a seat and watch for the number on your phone. I was called to the window two minuets after my time. Take my pic, tap my card, good for 8 more years. I walked out in shock. Local government actually did something REALLY well, still feel like it was all a dream.

Once you pass 70, you have to renew in person. I, too, was pleasantly surprised how quickly it was take care of with the appointment. Those with appointments are taken ahead of all the walk-ins. They have dramatically improved their renewal system. Their photos still suck, though. (Or maybe it was just the subject

)

No_Regerts · Feb 21, 2026

I also renewed recently and got an instant case of the red-azz when I had to get in line after scheduling an appointment. The rest of it went so quickly that I didn't get a chance to throw a tantrum. I saved that for the Carl's Jr.

Alexx1401 · Feb 21, 2026

Nosferatu said:
TLDR translation for non-boomers: Appointment helped save about 15 minutes and the possibility of being turned away, even though an initial line was still involved.

Got it!

I have to guess math is not your thing? :s0140:

Alexx1401 · Feb 21, 2026

2ndtimer said:
Once you pass 70, you have to renew in person. I, too, was pleasantly surprised how quickly it was take care of with the appointment. Those with appointments are taken ahead of all the walk-ins. They have dramatically improved their renewal system. Their photos still suck, though. (Or maybe it was just the subject )

I noticed that about the after 70. Have to guess they want to see if you can still hear and see after that point. Certainly nothing wrong with that. It was so damn easy this time that next time, assuming I am still alive, I will not be dreading having to go. Was nothing short of amazing to look at my watch and see that from the time I got out of my car, to the time I was driving away :20 had passed. This was nothing short of amazing compared to how this has always been done before.