FOLLOWUP: West Seattle will have a vehicle-licensing office again

Almost a year after the sudden shutdown of the West Seattle vehicle-licensing office, a new operator is getting ready to open in a new location. As noted in our coverage of last year’s closure, though licenses are issued by the state, the offices are “sub-agents” whose contracts are administered in this area by King County, which subsequently launched a search for a new West Seattle sub-agent. Last June, the county told WSB they had chosen six applicants for interviews. Now, there’s a winner: We spoke today with Randy Lais, who already runs a licensing sub-agency in Port Orchard. He hopes to open in West Seattle next March and has a location already – the former liquor-store space on the north side of Westwood Village.

The county confirms they’re finalizing the contract and reminds us that these offices handle vessel licensing as well as vehicle licensing. Until the new West Seattle office opens, you can get licenses online, or at not-too-distant offices including Georgetown and Burien.

15 Replies to "FOLLOWUP: West Seattle will have a vehicle-licensing office again"

  • Yay! November 13, 2020 (5:11 pm)

    Wonderful news & great location with lots of parking. 

  • Robert J Schmidt November 13, 2020 (5:16 pm)

    Parking is such a thrash at WWV. I’ll just continue to go to Burien.

    • Anne November 13, 2020 (6:56 pm)

      What does that mean? Only occasionally do I find parking a problem at WWV & where this office is going- never.

    • Alki resident November 13, 2020 (8:18 pm)

      There’s tons of parking next to the Westwood location. Your comment makes no sense. 

    • East Coast Cynic November 13, 2020 (8:41 pm)

      There’s lots of parking in the mall, with minimal problems.  Certainly more than the previous location on California.

    • Door ding hater November 14, 2020 (8:24 am)

      I agree such a thrash, the parking spots were small now with the new striping there even smaller 🙁, I drive an outback, there not even that big.

  • old timer November 13, 2020 (5:20 pm)

    Good news! Thanks!

  • CC November 13, 2020 (6:02 pm)

    Yeah! Great location!

  • Beto November 13, 2020 (6:13 pm)

    Wonderful news!  I can walk to that area easily.

  • 1994 November 13, 2020 (9:05 pm)

    Good to hear of another new business opening at WWV!  With all the new residences popping up in West Seattle looks like a win for all.

  • 22blades November 14, 2020 (5:55 am)

    That’s not much of an improvement in time from the Junctions where we need relief. By the time I get to WWV, I could have been at Burien via 509. I would have thought the state was looking for a little better geographic coverage. I guess I’ll continue with Burien.

    • winniegirl November 14, 2020 (12:40 pm)

      Did you map this?  I live in the Alaska junction and google maps says it’s 8 minutes to the new location and 22 to the Burien location. Westwood village makes a lot of sense as a central west seattle location with a ton of parking. Come on now.

  • Swoosh November 14, 2020 (10:19 am)

    Was there ever a final reason as to what happened at the place on California and why it closed?

  • Conjunction Junction November 14, 2020 (3:13 pm)

    I live 500 feet from the old location and even I know that the WWV location is a great choice.  I also think this will be perfect for all those folks that walk into one and needing the services of the other (driver’s license vs. tabs, etc), which has happened every time I was in each location.

  • jissy November 14, 2020 (10:41 pm)

    Crap, was really hoping for closer to the old White Center location — that is an easy building, drive through, street to street from 16th to 15th.  And I (think) slightly cheaper because it’s located in Unincorp. King County rather than Seattle proper?  Could be wrong but…..  Doesn’t everyone have to drive through White Center these days since the WS Bridge is closed for God knows how long?!

Sorry, comment time is over.