PORT TOWNSEND — By the end of this year, people living in East Jefferson County will have to drive out of the county — probably to Poulsbo or Port Angeles — to visit a state Department of Licensing office.

The drivers’ licensing office at 2300 S. Park Ave., in Port Townsend is scheduled to close sometime between September and December.

The decision to close the office is in response to Gov. Chris Gregoire’s requested budget cuts, said Selena Davis, spokeswoman for the department.

“The biggest reason for this decision is the budget,” Davis said.

“Of all the decisions we put on the table, this is part of the one she picked to run with.”

The department plans to close 25 offices statewide by the end of the year to shave about $3 million from state budget expenditures.

For Jefferson County residents, the closest alternative offices will be about 25 miles away in Poulsbo — at 19045 state Highway 305, Suite 140 — or 45 miles away in Port Angeles, where the office is at 228 W. First St.

Online services

The department is bolstering its online services to make the change easier, Davis said.

“A big part of this picture is that we are trying to move DOL into the 21st century to help people more efficiently,” she said.

“What you are going to see is more services available online, and we are also researching self-serve kiosks for the area.

“In reality, only about 43 percent of trips made to an office now actually require a physical trip.”

Davis said that new drivers or people renewing their photos on their licenses will have the biggest problems.

“We’re looking at driver training schools in the area, and seeing if we can work with them so that new drivers might not have to go down to the office in Port Angeles,” she said.

“Most people are also eligible for online renewal of licenses, and will only have to go in every 10 years to get their photo changed.

“You can even order a duplicate license online right now, in case you lose yours. It will be mailed to you.

Davis said the closure won’t be a trial run. The department has been using the online system for years with success, she added.

“There are a number of communities across the state that don’t have DOL in their area, and we still serve them,” she said.

“We certainly aren’t abandoning Jefferson County.”

The Port Townsend office has 1.5 full-time employees.

In 2008, they processed 11,612 transactions for drivers in the area.

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Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com