MOUNT VERNON, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Mount Vernon residents will have to look elsewhere to get driver licensing services for the next few months.

The Washington State Department of Licensing announced Tuesday, Aug. 18, that its Mount Vernon office is closed until early November due to ongoing staffing issues.

The DOL says it will train new employees to fill several empty positions throughout the area, which will take about three months.

The process will help maintain staffing at all offices in the area and allow them to stay open more consistently.

Until then, the DOL encourages residents to use its online services at dol.wa.gov.

The next closest offices for in-person assistance are in Anacortes, Bellingham and Smokey Point.