New driver's license applicants now must prove they live here

New Washington drivers must now prove state residency before they can get a driver's license.

Under new policies put in place this week, all first-time drivers, those seeking instruction permits, those applying for ID cards, and out-of-state drivers must prove they live in Washington to get a license.

You always have had to be a Washington resident to get a license, said Brad Benfield, with the state Department of Licensing, but it hasn't always been enforced.

In the past, he said, people could use passports or other identification that didn't prove residency to get a license. "We are strengthening our checking process," he said.

The change was driven by cases in which drivers — particularly commercial drivers who aren't in the country legally — would come to Washington to get a driver's license because the state doesn't require proof of citizenship. They then would take their licenses back to their home states and exchange them for their state's license.

Acceptable forms of identification are home utility bills dated within two months of the date of application for a license, rental agreements, home mortgage information, or Washington voter registration cards.

Benfield said there are seven states that do not require proof of legal residence in the United States to obtain a driver's license.

In 2006, more than 248,000 people applied for a first-time drivers license, 86,000 received an instruction permit and 103,000 obtained an ID card. In addition, 14,000 out-of-state drivers obtained licenses in Washington.

For information on acceptable documents to prove residency go to www.dol.wa.gov.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com