Driving Tests

Washington DOL Proof of Identity: What to Bring for a Permit or License

informational·how to guide·Published May 20, 2026

Which identity documents does the Washington DOL accept for a permit or license?

For a standard license, instruction permit or ID card, the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) accepts one of four options: 1 stand-alone document (such as a valid U.S. passport or Green Card), 2 A-list documents, 1 A-list and 2 B-list documents, or 4 B-list documents. Bring originals, and give your Social Security number if you have one. Teens under 18 also need permission from a parent or guardian.

Where these identity rules come from

The document lists come from the DOL proof of identity page. The teen steps come from the DOL learner permit page and the DOL page for the license at ages 16 and 17. The REAL ID facts come from the DOL REAL ID page, and the EDL and insurance facts from the DOL enhanced driver license and drive test pages. These rules apply to a standard license, permit or ID card, as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Washington State Department of Licensing (dol.wa.gov) before you drive.

The four ways to prove your identity

The four ways to prove your identity
Option	What you bring
Option one	1 stand-alone document
Option two	2 A-list documents
Option three	1 A-list document and 2 B-list documents
Option four	4 B-list documents, and 1 of them must list both your name and birth date

Stand-alone, A-list and B-list: what the words mean

A stand-alone document proves your identity by itself. An A-list document needs a partner: a second A-list document, or 2 B-list documents. B-list documents support your identity, and in option four at least 1 of the 4 must show both your name and birth date. Any identity document that the DOL already has on file for you, such as a license, permit or ID card, is also stand-alone, even if it expired up to 1 year ago.

Which list is your document on?

Which list is your document on?
Document	List
Valid U.S. passport or passport card	Stand-alone
U.S. passport or passport card that expired up to 1 year ago	A-list
U.S. passport that expired more than 1 year ago	B-list
U.S. state or territory ID, driver license or learner permit, valid or expired for no more than 1 year	Stand-alone
Expired U.S. state or territory ID, driver license or learner permit, issued up to 6 years ago	A-list
Other expired U.S. state or territory ID, driver license or learner permit	B-list
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)	Stand-alone
Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766)	Stand-alone
Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization with your photo and signature	Stand-alone
Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization with a photo that is not recognizable, such as a baby photo	A-list
U.S. visa	A-list
Foreign passport with an I-94 or I-551 (ADIT) stamp, or a temporary I-551	A-list
Consulate ID, electoral ID, or ID from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico or Peru	A-list
Certified birth certificate or birth registration card, from the U.S. or another country	B-list (shows name and birth date)
Foreign ID or driver license	B-list (shows name and birth date)
Social Security card	B-list
School transcript or record, or Form I-20 or DS-2019 for foreign exchange students	B-list

Which option fits you?

You have a stand-alone document from the table

Bring that one document. Option one is enough.

You have one A-list document, such as a U.S. visa or a foreign passport with an I-94 stamp

Add a second A-list document (option two), or 2 B-list documents such as a certified birth certificate and a Social Security card (option three).

You only have B-list documents

Bring 4 of them. At least 1 must show both your name and your birth date, such as a certified birth certificate.

You are 25 or younger and do not have enough documents of your own

Use the DOL alternative option. Bring all of these: a parent or guardian with their own proof of identity, a document with your name and birth date, and a document that connects you to that parent or guardian.

Document rules that can stop your visit

Bring the original. The DOL does not accept copied, scanned or photographed documents.
A stand-alone or A-list document with a photo that does not clearly identify you counts only as a B-list document.
The DOL may ask for more documents to verify your identity.
The DOL checks your documents in person. If any document is intentionally false or misleading, you cannot reapply for one year.

Do I need my Social Security number?

Yes, if you have one. The DOL checks the number with the Social Security Administration. A driver license applicant must give the number or sign a declaration that says they do not have one. Teens do the same at the license visit at 16 or 17. A Social Security card counts only as a B-list document, so it can help with option three or option four.

What does a teen under 18 bring?

For the instruction permit, your parent or guardian must be with you to give permission online. If you want a photo on your permit, you finish the application at a driver licensing office by appointment. There, bring your identity documents, your parent or guardian, and documents that show the family link, such as a birth certificate, adoption records or school records. Before you apply, get a Washington driver license (WDL) number, a unique 12-digit number, through a License Express pre-application. The permit fee is $35 (U.S. dollars) as of 2026. The Washington instruction permit guide covers the rest of the permit steps.

What if a parent cannot come with you?

You apply for the license at 16 or 17 at a licensing office

Either bring a parent with you, or have a parent fill out the Parental Authorization Affidavit form and have it notarized.

You do not live with a parent or guardian and want a permit

Another responsible adult over 21 who supports you, such as a relative, caregiver, teacher, social worker or employer, may be able to give permission for the permit. That adult may not be able to help you establish your identity.

You cannot establish your identity without a parent or guardian

If you are in foster care, ask your caseworker to submit a Washington State Identicard form. If you are homeless and enrolled in public school, contact your school's homeless education liaison. You can also ask to speak to a supervisor at a driver licensing office.

Do I need REAL ID to get a Washington license?

No. A standard Washington driver license or ID card does not meet the federal REAL ID rules, but it is still valid for driving. Since May 7, 2025, air travel and visits to certain federal facilities need a REAL ID-compliant document, such as a U.S. passport, a passport card or Washington's Enhanced Driver License or ID (EDL/EID). To get an EDL, you must be a U.S. citizen and provide a Social Security number, proof of citizenship, proof of identity and proof of Washington State residency. The DOL has an online enhanced document tool for that list. The Washington Enhanced Driver License and REAL ID guide compares the two cards.

What else should I bring to the drive test?

Bring proof of current liability insurance. The DOL checks it before the test begins, and it must state the policy holder's name, the vehicle description and the dates the policy begins and ends. The free practice question on proof of insurance covers what to show when an officer asks. Our practice tests and question pages are free and in English only.

Key takeaways

For a standard license, permit or ID card, bring 1 stand-alone document, 2 A-list documents, 1 A-list and 2 B-list documents, or 4 B-list documents.
Bring originals. The DOL does not accept copies, scans or photos of documents.
Give your Social Security number if you have one, or sign the declaration that you have none.
Under 18, you need a parent or guardian. For the license at 16 or 17, a notarized Parental Authorization Affidavit can replace the parent's visit.
A standard license is valid for driving but not for domestic flights. The EDL/EID is Washington's REAL ID card.
Next step: practice the Washington road rules on the free Washington personal driver practice test.

Washington DOL identity documents: common questions

Can I show a photo of my passport on my phone?

No. The DOL does not accept copied, scanned or photographed documents, so a picture of your passport on your phone does not count. Bring the original passport or passport card to the driver licensing office.

Does an expired license count as proof of identity?

Yes. A U.S. state or territory license, permit or ID that is valid or expired for no more than 1 year is a stand-alone document. An expired one that was issued up to 6 years ago is an A-list document. Any other expired one is a B-list document.

Does a Social Security card count as proof of identity?

Only as a B-list document. It can be one of the 2 B-list documents that go with an A-list document (option three), or one of the 4 B-list documents in option four.

Do I need a birth certificate for my learner permit?

Not if you have a stand-alone document, such as a valid U.S. passport. A certified birth certificate from the U.S. or another country is a B-list document that shows your name and birth date. If you are under 18, it can also show the link to your parent or guardian at the office.