Tag: history

Written by DOL Blog

The first driver licenses: DOL History File, 1917-1921

By Tony Sermonti The first state laws that started formally licensing drivers came in 1917, when the minimum age to drive was set at 15. Then in 1921, the state started to get more serious about licensing drivers as more motorcars began to hit the streets. Washington’s ninth Governor Louis Hart created the Department of […]

Written by DOL Blog

DOL history file — 1905

By Brad Benfield The Washington State Legislature established the Motor Vehicle License Division under the Office of the Secretary of State in 1905. This new division was responsible for registering and issuing vehicle license numbers to the state’s growing number of personal vehicles.  The division issued license numbers—not license plates. The vehicle owner was responsible […]