The Blog

Liz Luce, Director, Department of Licensing Liz Luce, Director, Department of Licensing

12/04/09

These are tough economic times for Washington State. As the director of the Department of Licensing, it is my responsibility to work harder than ever to make my agency as lean and efficient as possible, while still meeting our core mission of protecting public safety. This economic crisis has forced me to think about everything my agency does in a new way and to make some very tough decisions. But, as is often the case, this crisis has been a catalyst for reinvention.

The agency has used these hard times as an opportunity to refresh our customer service model in ways that both reduce costs and improve and expand our service options. With more than 80 percent of Washingtonians having access to the Internet, we want to entice more customers to “skip a trip” to our “brick and mortar” offices and conduct much of their routine business with us online. This has the added benefit of reducing wait times for those of you who need to visit us in person.

Some of our cost-saving and service improvement measures we have implemented so far include:

  • Consolidating 11 driver licensing offices.

  • Giving drivers the option of renewing their driver license by mail.

  • Redesigning our online driver license renewal process to make it easier and highlighting this option on our renewal notices.

  • Placing self-service stations in Driver Licensing Offices around the state to accommodate those who don’t have personal computers.

In the coming months, we will complete additional initiatives including:

  • Opening four driver licensing “supercenters,” larger offices created through our office consolidation efforts.

  • Improving online services so you can change your address online, get a copy of your driving record, or schedule drive tests.

  • Offering the option of receiving your vehicle renewal notice by email.

Visit our website at www.dol.wa.gov – I think you will find that taking advantage of our online licensing services is faster, easier and will save all of us valuable time and money.

Remember to “Skip a trip – go online.”