High demand for licenses creating long waits in offices

Published 12:06 am Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Department of Licensing (DOL) customers seeking an Enhanced Driver License or ID Card (EDL) within the next few months should come early and come prepared as high demand for the EDL is greatly increasing wait times in many offices.

The new enhanced licenses and ID cards meet new federal travel requirements under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), which requires travelers crossing the United State border at a land or sea border crossing station to have a U.S. Passport or other WHTI compliant document. WHTI went into effect June 1.

To apply for an EDL/ID, people must arrive at DOL offices with acceptable proof of their identity, U.S. citizenship and Washington state residency. A complete list of acceptable documents is available at the agency’s website at dol.wa.gov.

DOL is taking immediate action to reduce wait times in the Parkland office.

DOL is screening applicants waiting outside beginning at 7:15 a.m. and installing a greeter at the front door to separate transactions and encourage people to do their business online or at a self-service station if possible

No EDL applicants will be accepted after 2 p.m. weekdays and at noon on weekends.