Seniors Renewing Drivers Licenses--What to Expect at the WA DOL

Driver’s license renewal, undertaken every five years in Washington State, is often a routine endeavor. And online renewal is now available, making the process even easier. However, online renewal is not approved for drivers seeking commercial licenses, and is only available every other renewal for those 65 years of age and under. This means that seniors will always be renewing in person at their local Department of Licensing (DOL) office. If you have any medical, mental or vision issues (such as fast-moving cataracts or dementia) you may require a certificate from your physician recommending testing more frequently than five years.

Like everyone, regardless of age, you’ll be required to take a vision test at the DOL. Patricia Hardy, technical operations consultant and trainer for Everett Licensing, explains the vision testing as follows: The Washington State standard is 20/40 vision—which means that the test subject can see at twenty feet what someone with 20/20 vision can see at forty feet. Those with 20/70 vision will still pass, but only be allowed to drive during daylight hours, and be required to carry a license with that restriction placed on it. 20/100 is the upward allowable limit for driving. All vision results are determined with or without your use of corrective lenses.

There are no automatic restrictions for the hearing impaired, and the DOL does not conduct hearing tests. However, certain visual enhancements—such as extra outside mirrors—may be necessary for some drivers.

These are examples of designations listed on licenses:

“C” – Corrective Lenses
“Z” – Daylight Driving Only
“L” – Medical Certificate Cycle

You should be forthcoming about any medical history of seizures or blackouts, particularly recent ones. And your physician may have given you a medical certificate to produce for the DOL staff. If the staff concludes that there is a medical, mental or vision problem, you will be selected for re-examination. This will include an actual driving test (a road test), and possibly a knowledge test (a written test). The driving test will assess your familiarity with the car: the accelerator, brake, turn signals, wipers, lights, horn, etc. Staff will then test your ability at things like parallel parking, backing-up, and your interactions while in traffic. You’ll have three separate opportunities to pass. If you don’t pass after the third attempt, your driving privileges will be cancelled. But even then, there is an appeals process available to you, to be conducted over the phone by someone in the DOL hearings division.

A good way to improve your chances of passing re-examination is to take one of the many safe driving courses offered in Washington, through organizations such as AAA, AARP, 911 Driving School, Washington Traffic Safety Education Association, and I Drive Safely. All the courses are approved by the Washington State Department of Licensing. Completion of the eight-hour classroom course may even earn you a reduction in your insurance rates. (Safe driving courses will be covered in-depth, in an upcoming article.) If you want a refresher road driving course, like the ones we all took before getting our first licenses, check either a print or online phone book for listings of driving schools in your area. Anything you can do to enhance your skills will increase your likelihood of passing the exam.

Ms. Hardy points out that the DOL can also issue regular Washington State IDs. Many seniors think that the only legitimate ID is a driver’s license, so some will go to renew even when it’s time to stop driving. The state ID costs $20, rather than $25 for the driver’s license.

Author: Michele Horwitz