Yes—you can get a standard Washington driver license, and your I-94 or K-1 expiration will not shorten its six- or eight-year term once it is issued.
“I am awaiting my I-485 in Washington state. Can I get a driver's license using my passport, foreign driver's license, I-94, and K1 visa? Will it be a problem once my I-94 and K1 visa expire?”
Summary
Your pending I-485 does not prevent you from using Washington's standard-license process. Your documents match DOL's published categories; one extra B-list document makes the identity packet much safer.
You have two practical identity-document routes for a standard license; the backup route avoids the checklist's same-passport ambiguity.
DOL lists both “U.S. visa” and “Foreign passports with I-94” under s, so your K-1 visa and passport/I-94 match the published entries. Because DOL does not say whether entries in one physical passport count separately, take the backup documents in the next option too.
Use your passport with I-94 as the , your foreign driver license as one , and either your Social Security card or certified marriage certificate as the second B-list document. This exactly matches DOL's published one-A-plus-two-B combination and does not depend on counting one passport twice.
An shows proof of U.S. citizenship. Your available route is the , not the enhanced credential.
Your foreign license's issuing country separately determines whether you must take the knowledge and drive tests.
Read the full explanationHide the full explanation
Watch out for
Next steps
These steps give DOL a complete identity packet, satisfy any testing requirement, and produce your Washington license.
First
Pre-apply and get your WDL number
Use https://dol.wa.gov/pre-apply-online. Save or print the number beginning “WDL”; DOL requires that number to schedule your driver-licensing-office appointment.
Requirements
Before testing or the office visit
Build the identity packet
Use the safest published combination: passport with I-94 as one A-list document, foreign license as one B-list document, and a Social Security card or certified marriage certificate as the second B-list document. Also take the K-1 visa. Bring physical original or certified documents—DOL says it does not accept copied, scanned, or photographed identity documents and may request more evidence.
Requirements
Country-dependent
Complete the required tests
If your valid license is British Columbia Class 5, German, or South Korean and you are at least 18, no tests are required. For any other foreign country or Canadian province, schedule both tests through https://dol.wa.gov/driver-licenses-and-permits/driver-training-and-testing/driver-training-schools-and-testing-locations. Pass the knowledge test with 32/40; that result lasts two years. Pass the drive test with 80/100; that result lasts one year. Testing fees vary by provider. You do not need driver training or a learner permit if you are 18 or older, but if you will practice on public roads, buy the one-year $35 permit and drive with a licensed front-seat passenger who has at least five years' licensed experience.
Requirements
Within 30 days of becoming a Washington resident
Attend the DOL appointment and receive the license
Schedule the office appointment at https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/extdriveses/ESP/NoLogon/?Link=ScheduleApptLSO. At the office, complete the vision screening, provide the identity and SSN information, choose six or eight years, and pay. DOL gives you a temporary license before you leave and mails the permanent card within 7–10 days; if it has not arrived after 30 days, call 360-902-3900.
Requirements
Legal sources
This answer comes from Washington Department of Licensing identity, licensing, testing, REAL ID, fee, and name-change rules, plus RCW 46.20.181.
WA DOL Proof of Identity
Washington accepts several identity-document combinations, including two A-list documents or one A-list plus two B-list documents.
Document combinations
The following document combinations will meet our standards to prove your identity: 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, 1 of which must list both your name and birth date
WA DOL Proof of Identity
The user's visa and passport/I-94 appear as separate entries on Washington's A-list.
A-List documents
U.S. visa Foreign passports with I-94, I-551 Alien, Documentation, Identification, and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp, or temporary I-551
WA DOL Proof of Identity
A foreign driver license is a B-list identity document.
B-List documents
Foreign ID or driver license
WA DOL Proof of Identity
A certified marriage certificate can serve as a second B-list document.
B-List documents
Certified marriage license/certificate
WA DOL Proof of Identity
A Social Security card can serve as a second B-list document.
B-List documents
Social Security card
WA DOL Proof of Identity
A driver-license applicant must give an SSN or sign the no-SSN declaration.
Social Security number
We verify your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration and use it to help enforce child support laws. If you apply for a driver license, you must provide it or sign a declaration saying you don't have one.
WA DOL REAL ID
A standard Washington license is not proof of legal status and no longer works as domestic-flight ID.
REAL ID questions
Yes, we'll continue to offer standard driver licenses and ID cards that can be used by Washington residents to drive or as identification. A standard driver license and ID card do not indicate a person's residency or legal status. Starting May 7, 2025, they will no longer be accepted as valid forms of ID for boarding domestic flights.
WA DOL REAL ID
The enhanced credential requires proof of citizenship, unlike the standard license.
EDL/EID
An EDL or EID is a form of identification with enhanced security features that shows proof of identity and proof of citizenship. The enhanced features comply with the REAL ID Act.
RCW 46.20.181
Washington's ordinary license term is eight years, with a six-year option; the statute does not tie that term to immigration-document expiry.
(1), (4)
(1) Except as provided in subsection (4) or (5) of this section or RCW 46.20.1191 (10), every driver's license expires on the eighth anniversary of the licensee's birthdate following the issuance of the license. The department must offer the option to issue or renew a driver's license for six years in addition to the eight year issuance.
WA DOL Testing Rules
Only the listed reciprocal foreign licenses avoid testing; other foreign licenses follow the first-license process.
New Washington residents
A valid license from: Another U.S. state (driving record dated within the last 30 days) District of Columbia U.S. Territory or possession U.S. Department of State British Columbia – Class 5 only; Class 7 doesn't transfer Germany South Korea No tests required if you're 18 years old or older. A license from a country or Canadian province not listed above Must complete all the steps to getting your first license.
WA DOL Testing Rules
The knowledge-test pass score is 32/40 and the drive-test pass score is 80/100.
Knowledge test; Drive test
You must get 32 out of 40 correct answers to pass the test. A passing score is good for 2 years. You must score at least 80 out of 100 to pass the test. A passing score is good for one year.
WA DOL Ages 18+ Application
Adults may test without driver training or a permit; DOL issues a temporary license and mails the card.
Ages 18+ application
If you are 18 or older, you can get your first driver license by passing the knowledge and drive test without taking a driver training course or getting a learner permit. We'll give you a temporary license before you leave your appointment. Keep your temporary license with you until you receive your permanent license. We'll mail it within 7-10 days.
WA DOL Pre-Apply
Pre-application creates the WDL number needed to schedule an appointment.
Pre-apply online
At the end of the process, you'll get your Washington (WA) state driver license, ID, or permit number, which will start with "WDL." You need a driver license, ID, or permit number to schedule an appointment.
WA DOL Driver Licensing Fees
The first standard-license fee is $111 for six years or $131 for eight years; test-provider charges are separate.
Getting your first WA driver license
Driver license $50 application fee + $10 per year issuance fee + $1 technology fee $111 for 6 years or $131 for 8 years
WA DOL Moving to Washington
A new Washington resident has 30 days after moving to obtain the state license.
Moving to Washington
You have 30 days after you move to Washington to get your driver license.
WA DOL Name Change
For a married-name license, update SSA and take a certified, filed marriage record.
Change your name
If you've legally changed your name and want it on your driver license, you must: Update your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) (ssa.gov). Marriage certificate or license (filed after the ceremony with the county or authorized issuing authority and certified) Church or wedding chapel forms aren't acceptable
These are the official rules as published on the cited pages and effective dates; rules can change.
This is general information about official processes, not legal advice, and SettleKit is not a law firm.
Related answers
Join the SettleKit newsletter
We research the hard parts of settling in the US and write articles you will not find anywhere else. Subscribe to get each new article by email.
