I moved from California to Washington and needed to do the "moved to Washington?" Thing of getting…read morea WA drivers license and updating registration/license plates. This office is specifically for the registration/license plates portion of that process. I was literally in and out within 5 minutes - insane for someone who is used to CA DMV wait times! I came in with my CA registration, my new WA drivers license, had to walk out to check my odometer (do that when you arrive in their specific strip mall parking lot and save yourself some time) and by the time I came back in with the reading and signed a few papers it had been 5 minutes and I was heading out the door with new plates. Incredible service, really happy about my experience here.

I got here about 20 minutes to closing, so probably not a surprise there was a long line. All but…read moreone window open, which is good, but only one worker able to turn over customers. The other slots all with the same person being helped until my turn came up. I waited around 15 minutes and hoped I would get my tabs before they closed for the day. Then a few windows opened up, all at the same time. The customers that had been getting helped for 20 minutes or more got processed. My turn at last! But when I walked up, the worker at the window helping me decides to yell out "anyone else here just for tabs? I can do both of you at once. It will be quick!" So she can help the woman who got in line after me, and I get to have a stranger standing 1 inch from me. I have no idea why. There were several windows now open, and only 1 in line behind me. While I had to remove all the credit cards from my wallet to get the drivers license out. I hope she didn't grab one, she was certainly close enough to. Leaning over the top of me because I had been standing in front of the window. From there - the employee ordered me to sign the registration - I need to do that to get the tabs? Never happened before - I've always just signed at home. She saw me hesitate and then asks me "Don't you know where to sign?" Yes, I know. I am just baffled as to why I need to do this now. She did not miss one chance to offer a snide reply to me, yet just handed the form to the person she had come up to join me in line. Did not order her to sign the registration. Offered nothing rude, just smiled and gave her her tabs. In hindsight I should have just told this worker I would wait for the next window. Perhaps she doesn't like people who are not Caucasian? I don't know what else could have generated this odd & negative response from her. I've never had a complaint about this licensing office before - but after this I'm sure any other place offering tabs would be just as good and more than likely better.

Welp, I easily placed an order online for my expired tabs. Yes the tabs are ridiculously expensive,…read morewith excessive added fees but that's not in their control. I ran through the door ten minutes before closing and was greeted within 5 minutes. The tabs were ready and off I went. There's plenty of parking and I was shocked there wasn't a line through the door. Lucky me and you for having this license office in the neighborhood.

Outstanding. Just walked in on a Wednesday morning at 11 AM. Plenty of parking. No line I was…read moreliterally called to a window by one of the three staff as soon as I walked in. Alicia was professional and no nonsense. It took her less than three minutes to process my tags and I left with them in hand out the door in five minutes. Incredible. At the rate they processed customers even if there were a line it wouldn't have taken very long. Just saying this is the kind of experience you want to have all day every day. Thank you for having such a competent staff. PS this is a family owned business. For 57 years. Amazing value for the time.

I have lived in many states, and have had negative experiences with privatized tag agencies…read moreelsewhere. I was relieved to find this process straightforward and relatively painless. The process here seemed quite effecient. (it is odd that in Washington, the actual state DMV offices do driver licenses, but you have to go to private tag agencies for tags...or tabs...whatever we call them here) Everyone here was friendly. The line was out the door in the a.m. on a Sat., but it moved along pretty quickly. Please do everyone a favor and do as much research as you can before showing up. And just be cool while you wait. Bring your best energy. We're all in this together, people. No joke, there was a guy ahead of me who was selling like 2 boats and a motorcycle the next day ( a Sunday) and he couldn't find the titles...and he was making it their problem. Seriously, dude? Eariler in the week, I called ahead to get an estimate on what I needed to pay. I did as much research online as I could also. A real person answered the phone and gave me a pretty high number. They quoted a vehicle with a higher trim level than mine, just to be on the safe side. If I recall, I kinda got a little prickly on the phone because Washington taxes you on the value of your vehicle (excise tax), even though you paid for it already a long time ago. What the hell? it's basically as sales tax you pay over and over again. Doesn't matter what you call it. Even though I was noticeably irritated, the person at Rainier was cool about it and didn't push back, which is the usual response in any other context. I brought cash, which seems to be the way to go. I've heard there is an extra charge for credit cards ( but don't know that for a fact). I ended up paying less than what they estimated earlier. in conclusion, do the research, call ahead if you have questions, go on Sat. a.m., and chillax while you wait. The kind and professional folks at Rainier Vehicle and Vessel Licensing will take care of you. Just remember...it could be much, much worse.

I would highly recommend this office for all of your WA state vehicle registration and license…read moreplate needs. I was helped by Jennifer; she was super knowledgeable, friendly, and was able to complete the services I requested. Much better experience than the office I visited in U-District. Thanks Jennifer!

Great business! Quality is good! The value is good and the price is reasonable for all users!read more

They are so friendly and told me exactly what to do to get a hold lifted on my tabs. I then ordered…read moremy tabs online to be mailed by the U dist agency and it came 3 days later. So fast!!

What an amazing experience. Night and day compared to the typical licensing/DMV-style places, which…read moreI think most of us can agree are usually... not great. I called to ask if they could mail my tabs since I couldn't make it in before closing. They said no, but added that if I was just a few minutes late and they were still around (sometimes until about 5:30 while closing up), I could knock on the window and they'd let me in to pick up my online tabs. That alone was pretty great. I hustled and got there at 5:05. The front door was locked and they were wrapping up with their last customers, but just like they promised, the folks at the desk pointed me to another door and let me in to grab my tabs. Even more refreshing: when I walked in, the atmosphere was genuinely warm. People were chatting, in good spirits, and there was music playing. Highly recommend if you're looking for a place to pick up your tabs. I'll definitely be back next year.

Customer service was great and helpful. Shoutout to Martina who made the process as easy as…read morepossible to switch the title of my car.

The guy who was checking everyone in was pleasant and efficient-- he was getting pulled in lots of…read moredifferent directions and never seemed rattled or unhappy about it. I was able to check in with my phone and see my progress on a screen. Everyone was waiting peacefully, no drama. My appointment happened right on time, and was very efficient and easy. Five stars for the West Seattle DOL. Good job.

Like all government activities the customer service as wealthy government workers take extended…read morebreaks and work at a snails pace. The advanced scheduling system didn't work when we tried, thus we went in without an appointment - took 1:20 simply to renew an ID card. Please privatize this and allow competition and stop making citizens wait because on inept people take government jobs.

Evidently I had been renewing my driver's license online for awhile, it was time to update my photo…read more& info after receiving a postcard notice in the mail. Info provided via QR code on the postcard and WA State Dept. of Licensing site were helpful. Unfortunately, the closest site in Shoreline was booked out to end of June! I can't chance driving with an expired license, so I started looking at other sites for available appointments. I snagged one for 5/8/26 at 0830 at the Seattle/Queen Anne site. I was also provided reminder updates prior and even on day of for check-in. Pro tips: Definitely make an online appointment versus hoping for same day service, unless you have plenty of time to potentially wait. Bring appropriate documentation to prove your identity and state residency. There's a list provided on their website. I had my current driver's license, car registration, passport, and car & homeowners insurance policies. Excessive, better to be prepared than not. Despite living in Shoreline, my appointment was scheduled at the Seattle/Queen Anne site. I gave myself plenty of time to locate it and find street parking. Thankfully, the parking rate via the app was reasonable. 45 minutes covered my time in line and the renewal process. When I approached the entrance 35 minutes early, there were folks already in line. Eventually this line stretched up the the sidewalk. Upon leaving, there was an even longer line and nearly full waiting area. Just saying. While I was waiting, I received a text to check-in to state that I was indeed onsite. This provided a secondary code to use upon entry and the check-in booth prior to being briefly seated. I literally was the first one served. Guess I did not need to be so early & freeze in line. That's on me though. I provided my current expiring license and answered all the questions asked. I even took a vision test to verify I no longer used corrective lenses/glasses for distance. I also declined my long time motorcycle endorsement. Note that driver's licenses can be renewed for either six or eight years. My photo was taken. This hopefully is an improvement over my passport and Costco membership card, lol. Turns out my ancient photo on record was since 2001! I finished up all the other things requested. Just make sure all the information on the temporary license is accurate on the screen before signing. This will be your temporary paper license until the renewed card arrives via mail. Note that there is an additional fee if payment is made via credit or debit card. No fee if payment is made via cash or personal check. I was done within ten minutes! Loved the humor and upbeat, friendly service from the gentleman at booth 4 that morning. I was expecting dour and curmudgeon service, ended up receiving the complete opposite in customer service. Props to that staff member! Many thanks! There's also a wall by the entrance/exit that had additional free informational pamphlets and guidebooks, just an fyi. Hope this Yelp post was helpful and that you have a positive experience renewing your driver's license onsite.

I arrived at 8:30 on a thursday, place didn't open until 9:30 (which I knew from looking on google)…read moreI was one of the first 7 people in line when I arrived as a walk in. when the place opened at 9:30 they only allowed 8 walk ins, everyone else who was outside waiting for almost an hour was sent home & made an appointment for next month to come back. I came in to get an enhanced license but enhanced license NEEDS an appointment, first appointment available was in October 20something, mind you it is the first week of September right now. So I just said f-it and only got my standard license because I need something. After waiting an hour & 30 minutes to be called after the place opened, I finally got it done quick at the booth. The amount of employees this place has is ridiculously understaffed, and the 4 people they had working were so. slow. between clients. if you've ever seen the movie zootopia, the sloths are faster in the movie. between each client the person behind the booth got up, stretched, stepped out to refil their coffee mugs, gave themselves a 10 minute break laughing with other employees in the booths, also not working. When the place opened the person who opened the doors informed us they were short staffed but "more employees would be arriving at 10" , which is fine and understandable.. but LOL. ONE employee arrived at 10:30 but gossiped with the other employees and didn't turn on his computer until 20 minutes later after catching up. In that time, another employee who was already there disappeared and didn't see them again the remainder of my time waiting. then after only accepting 8 "regular" walk ins, they still accepted about 5 "elder" walk ins (I don't know who is verifying their ages to be considered elder but I definitely got skipped in line by a 20 year old "elder") all the "elders" skipped my place in line as soon as they arrived and made my wait an hour and a half long after already waiting an hour outside before opening. the 8th walk in who was after me waited 2 hours and 15 minutes after opening. I got street parking from 8:30-11:30 and I made it back to my car 5 minutes to spare until 11:30. So if you need an enhanced license, you WILL need an appointment. Standard license, good luck coming in as a walk in if they let you in after waiting an hour outside before opening, just make an appointment to save yourself time, uber fees or parking fees (because they only have paid parking, fun!)

Getting new tabs for my car isn't the most exciting thing to do; I usually just have them mailed to…read moreme. This year, I put it off for too long and decided to stop in instead. The staff was friendly and REALLY quick. I was the second person in line and wrapped it all up in just 5 minutes!

No one picks up the phone or returns calls. I renewed my tabs in late May online and here we are in…read morethe second week of July and I still have not received them. I have left multiple messages on their answering machine and no one has given me a call back. I am trying to do the right thing by renewing my tabs on time, but there seems to be a lack of urgency to help me out as a customer on their end.

This is the best experience I've had at a licensing place. The wait was pretty short, and the staff…read morewas efficient and very kind and helpful. I don't know what it is about these kinds of places, but the employees always seem like they hate their jobs. I got non of that here! I live in Lynnwood, but I enjoyed the experience so much, I would make my way down there if I needed to take care of any licensing tasks again!

I love this DMV. You never heard that before I bet! Are they crowded? Yes. Is there a wait? Yes,…read moreprobably. But are they super friendly, wonderfully local, and as efficient as they possible can be while also remaining accurate and ethical? Also yes! Do they do their best to manage the flow of traffic? Yes. They have a person that waylays you when you get there to find out what you need and suggest which line to get in (very helpful and eliminates doubt that you're standing in the wrong place). They have a pick up counter for tabs now if you already ordered them online (very smart addition to the process). It's really pretty organized and I love the walls papered and hung with local team sports paraphernalia. This is a reliable Renton DMV, not too fancy but gets the job done, and I hope it stays that way!