Shoreline Limited Service Driver Licensing Office

If you don’t need the driver’s test, either written or the road test, this is the place to go to avoid downtown madness. Who in their right mind would put a DOL Office dowtown. That’s insane. Like, hello, parking! Shoreline location is just a skip away and avoids a lot of delays. You can go north on Aurora and hang a U-​turn about a quarter mile past 185^th Street. Small parking lot, but if full, you can turn onto 185^th and go in that way, some 50 yards to the west, and there’s more parking. $ 20 to replace a lost driver’s license, more for renewing.

This is the fastest service I’ve ever been at a DMV office. I came here Wednesday morning around 10:30am and it wasn’t busy at all. It took me less than 20 minutes and I’m out the door.

Twenty two people ahead of me. Six counters. One person working. It was a long morning. If only they had competitors.

Staffs are okay (not friendly, not rude). Waiting can be hell here but thankfully the room temperature is quiet nice. There are only 7 counters while the place could accommodate more or less 50 people in busy hours. Getting a seat isn’t hard at all. Prepare all identifications possible especially if you’re an international student (no photocopy). Don’t bother to call because you WON’T ever reach a real person.

Most efficient and friendly DMV ever!!! Live in Bothell/​Kirkland area and work in Bellevue… Worth the drive out here! Tons of people here and it was FAST! Staff was very nice to everyone:) love that…

I have always received courteous service at this branch-​which is a big deal when dealing with the dmv. Wait time has always been minimal. My main problem with this branch is the entry and exit into the small wedge shaped parking lot. The building shares several other businesses and shares the small oddly shaped parking lot. Entry from aurora ave is only accessible from southbound. I tried to find the entry from a back side road but never found the entry nor saw any signage to direct the way.
Ended up routing my way back to aurora ave and entered that way.

I really like how washington goes about getting a driver’s license. It’s pretty quick and efficient unlike the DMV in California. The staff are also a lot nicer for sure. I was able to go through the whole process in 1 hour. A tip for those going to this location though. Parking is a bit difficult so if you can’t find a spot just drive a little bit passed until you reach the stop light and turn right into subway they should have some parking over there :)

Hell has frozen over. I can’t believe I’m writing a rave review for a DMV. The facility and the people here are welcoming beyond belief. The service system is well organized and efficient. The wait for service is minimal, and the service is personal. They have clear answers to your questions, think out of the box, and treat each customer’s situation on a case by case basis. They will even go the extra mile for you be it making a phone call, or negotiating red tape. You do not necessarily need to ask them to do this for you. They will do this diligently, and on their own initiative. I have been to this office three times over the years and the positive here is not a fluke.
This office and the people that work here are the antithesis to every negative DMV stereotype or experience out there.

I went here to get my license renewed and it was just an awesome experience. The lady I spoke with on the phone was polite and informative. When I arrived inside I was kind of confused about where to check in and grab a number, and the man behind the desk was very kind and told me to check in with him, and didn’t make me feel embarrassed at all. He was super welcoming.
My number was literally called IMMEDIATELY and the lady I got behind the desk was so genuine and helpful with all of my questions and yet extremely professional as well. I remember wishing she had a name tag so I could mention her by name. The whole time I was talking with her I just couldn’t believe how friendly and helpful everyone was and how I didn’t have to wait at all.
The guy taking pictures for the licenses was also really friendly and efficient. He definitely knew what he was doing and I thought it was a nice touch that he tried to pronounce all the last names and then actually ask each person how to pronounce their name. Even though he was doing the exact same thing to hundreds of people every day he tried to make it personalized and was very nice.
All in all a great experience, FAR superior to any DMV visit I have EVER had.

Can I get a what what? I got in and out of this DMV in LESS than 5 minutes. Had to change my name and get a new license because I got married. Not only were they fast, but they were extremely nice. The photographer even gave me advice on my photo. I felt like a dork sticking my head out and down so far, but it was a much better picture than my first. He said it was a trick for taller people.
Love this DMV. They have a parking lot and are way less busy than any others I’ve been to. Highly recommended!

I stopped by Shoreline Driver Licensing office to replace a valid driver’s license that I lost. Before I left my home around 10:30am on a Saturday, I checked on WA DMV website to find out how long the wait was and I found that the center in West Seattle already had 1.5hr wait and settled for the one in Shoreline instead since it was showing a shorter 30 – 45 min wait. Having been to another driver’s license center a bit more than a year ago, this time, I brought books, Kindle, a fully-​charged cell phone (for surfing net when I get bored) with me, completely well-​prepared to sink all my day waiting in line on that Saturday.
When I got there around 11am on a Saturday, there was plenty of parking in a lot next to the office and there were just 3 – 4 people inside the the DL office. I was so surprised to see there was literrally no line at all. The office had around 3 – 4 officers working that day, so the clientele: service officer ratio was 1:1 (sorry, the opeartional nerd in me had to think about show great of a service level this meant). Upon arrival, I took my waiting number from a nearby machine, sat down to wait for 1 min and was called by a lady who helped look up my driver’s license information, took my payment, and processed all the replacement application for me. The whole thing took just 5 min. Then she kindly asked me to wait to be called again to take a new photo. The photo guy then called my name within 1 min of waiting, promptly took my new photo and printed a new temporary driver’s license for me right on the spot… and wow… off I go doing my other weekend businesses… amazingly spending less than 15 min at the Shoreline driver license’s center! I can’t imagine how long I would have to wait if I had gone to other centers (I think I had been to the one on Roosevelt Ave in 2010. and it was definitely 2-​plus hours of painful waiting)…
If I didn’t already know that this place was run by WA state, I would totally have thought it was run by a private company! Super efficient + friendly service. Completely exceeded my expectations! I just hope someone in the WA DMV office can study and replicate this operational efficiency at other DL offices.

Super nice people work there who are helpful and pleasant even in the face of being overworked (like today, a weekday afternoon). HOWEVER, the DMV parking lot is tiny. Turn off Aurora into the minuscule lot and prepare to be be stuck behind people who are dreaming of someone leaving so they can get a spot. Be mindful of this if you are bringing someone to the DMV who needs assistance or plan to bring a carload of kids (which is not recommended, BTW). I had to park down the hill in the park and ride (I think that’s what it was) after 1) leaving the overfull parking lot and driving SB on Aurora toward 185^th, whereupon I had to pull a U turn. 2) Spotting a large random lot on the same (West) side of the street as the DMV. Hey, I don’t know if it’s legal to park there, but it worked for me: you just have to walk up the hill. Waited over an hour… but the nice folks made it worth it. And yes, you can retake your picture, girlfriend:)

I have never had this good of an experience at the DMV. I finally got my new license switched over from my previous out of state one, and I was in and out in under 20 minutes. I was prepared for an hour long wait like usual so this was a great surprise.
I arrived at 9am on a Saturday for reference.

People that work in this office are always helpful, kind and willing to answer any of your questions! Every time when I come to this office, I leave with a big smile! Great work, guys!!! Thank you for your service!

After waiting for about ten minutes, they skipped my number and when I asked about it, one guy told me to just wait, rather abruptly. The Asian guy was finally free. When I told him that I think he skipped my number, he said he’d called the numbers in order. I told him I had been watching carefully (really, who wants to be at the DMV longer than necessary on a Saturday morning?). Then he decides to help me by saying, «What do you want?» Sigh. It was really hard to smile for the picture after that experience. On a positive note, the wait was shorter than expected and most of the other employees were nice. Just try not to get the Asian guy.

These guys are so great. Very friendly, and quick to say something nice or share a joke that’ll bring a chuckle and smile to the boring task of renewing a license. The 1pm Tuesday wait is about 1 hour, which is pretty normal for any DMV I’ve ever visited. Definitely go in the early morning on a weekday to get a shorter wait time.
It has a great location for anyone coming from North Seattle, and it’s much easier to get to than the one downtown. However, this office doesn’t distribute enhanced IDs or licenses.

In the process of applying for an overseas visa, I discovered I was required to update my address to be current on my drivers license. Going to the DMV on a Saturday is not the way anybody wants to spend a Saturday. The crazy part is, there are almost no DMV locations in Seattle anymore. The one on 4^th and Union is closed, and the one in Greenwood is closed.
A friend of mine at work told me about this location up in Shoreline. She said it’s a bit of a drive, but that when she went, she got right in and out and the staff are very friendly.
I am happy to report that this was definitely the best DMV experience I’ve ever had! She was totally right! After getting there, I literally was in and out in 15 minutes! I don’t think a lot of people know about this location or go there. The employees were super friendly, and the guy taking pictures even asks you if you like your photo or not, and offers to retake it for you!
They also have a self-​service kiosk there (not sure exactly what kinds of things you can do at the kiosk). And just an FYI, they only accept cash or check (no credit/​debit cards) for payment.
15 minutes and $ 10 later, I had a new updated license. :)
I would highly recommend this DMV to anyone and everyone, if you don’t mind driving a bit north on Aurora.