After the abrupt closure of the state driver licensing office in Kelso last month, the Washington State Department of Licensing’s mobile unit — DOL2Go — is scheduled to return to the Kelso Public Library for additional service days later this month.

According to an announcement published Jan. 21 by local radio station KLOG, the mobile office will be set up at the Kelso Public Library at Three Rivers Crossing Mall (351 Three Rivers Drive, Suite 1263) on:

  • Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 (10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
  • Friday, Jan. 30, 2026 (10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

KLOG reported the visits follow an earlier DOL2Go stop in Kelso and come as the community continues to wait for a permanent replacement site after the local office shut down indefinitely due to facility issues.

What services will be available?
DOL2Go is designed to bring licensing services to communities where residents face barriers to reaching a traditional office. The Department of Licensing says the unit can provide a wide range of driver licensing and ID services — including first-time Washington licenses/IDs (including enhanced), renewals, out-of-state transfers, driver records, reinstatement letters, and document review for proof of identity — but it does not offer knowledge or skills tests.

Payments and testing limits
Both KLOG and the Department of Licensing note that DOL2Go events typically accept credit/debit only, and do not offer knowledge or skills tests. That means anyone needing testing will still have to use a traditional licensing office or other testing options, depending on the service.

Why this matters in Cowlitz County
For Kelso and Longview-area residents — especially people without reliable transportation — the closure of a local driver licensing office effectively pushes routine ID and license needs to other cities. DOL2Go is a partial workaround, but it’s time-limited and depends on scheduled visits rather than a permanent counter residents can rely on weekly.

How to prepare
The Department of Licensing recommends checking its DOL2Go information page before arriving to confirm what the mobile unit can and can’t do, and to review documentation requirements for your specific transaction. The DOL also warns about phishing scams and encourages residents to use only official DOL channels for scheduling, payments, and account access.

Sources