US Driver
Exchanging an out-of-state or foreign driver license in Washington
New Washington residents must get a Washington driver license within 30 days of becoming residents. If you are only visiting, you may use your out-of-country license for up to 1 year.
From another U.S. state: DOL's test page says no tests are required if you are 18 or older and hold a valid license from another state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory or the U.S. Department of State (your driving record must be dated within the last 30 days). You still have a vision screening at the office. If the license has expired, you take the knowledge and drive tests. If you are under 18, you follow the intermediate license route.
The official sources do not agree on the knowledge test. WAC 308-104-047 (filed in 2000) lets DOL waive only the drive test, and only after the applicant has passed the Washington knowledge test; RCW 46.20.120(1)(b) also mentions only the driving portion. Follow what the licensing office tells you at your visit.
From another country: licenses from British Columbia (Class 5 only; Class 7 does not transfer), Germany and South Korea need no tests if you are 18 or older. For Taiwan and Japan, contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Seattle or the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle; DOL says they require translated certification.
A license from any other country or Canadian province, including mainland China, is not on the list. DOL says you must complete all the steps to getting your first license: the knowledge test, the drive test and a vision screening. If you are under 25, you also take the free online work-zone and first-responder course. A valid foreign license may be used to sit the school drive test.
On the date the work-zone course starts, the sources differ: DOL's pages say 1 November 2026, while RCW 46.20.1191 says 1 May 2026 and lets DOL waive the course while it is not available.