Scheduling Appointments With the Washington DOL

Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) offices are an extremely useful resource on your to become a fully licensed driver, but let’s face it: they can often be an unbearable chore. With long wait times, perpetually busy office locations, and seemingly endless amounts of paperwork, every quick trip to a DOL office inevitably turns into a day-long excursion.

Fortunately, there are ways to expedite your time at the DOL office and ensure you get in and out in a timely, efficient manner. One of the best ways is to make an appointment.

Appointments at the Washington DOL

Making an appointment at a DOL location is perhaps the easiest, fastest way to get all of your driving matters sorted physically. Unfortunately, Washington drivers license appointments are only available for those looking to schedule a driving test at a DOL training and testing location. You can do that by visiting the DOL website and browsing for a location near you.

How Can I Save Time at the DOL?

Even without the ability to schedule appointments, there are other ways to expedite your time at the DOL and minimize wait times. One of the best ways to do this is to pre-apply online if you’re applying for a Washington instruction permit or drivers license. This cuts down on the amount of paperwork you’ll have to fill out at an office, making the process run a lot more smoothly.

If you’re looking to renew or replace your drivers license or ID card, you don’t even need to leave your house – the DOL has online services (deemed License Express) so you can take care of your driving affairs from your computer.

When’s the Best Time to Go to the DOL?

It’s important to realize that most DOL locations have certain periods of peak business, in which wait times can balloon and crowds can gather. Try to avoid WOL locations at these times:

• Lunch hour around noon. Most people typically try to slip out during their lunch break to get their licensing matters sorted.
• Mondays and Fridays, or the first and last days of the week when they’re open. This is when those who have immediate needs tend to visit the WOL.
• Days before extended holidays and office closures. Procrastinators often wait til these crucial points before they finally take care of their driving-related chores.

Try going to your nearest DOL office during these periods:

• Tuesdays through Thursdays are usually slower than Mondays and Fridays.
• Go first thing in the morning to beat crowds and minimize time spent waiting in line.
• The middle of the month is slower compared to the first and last week of the month.

Ultimately, it’s not too difficult to spend as little time in a DOL office as possible. With a little planning (and a bit of luck), you can save yourself a large amount of time.