Some can renew licenses online

It’s a little like Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

If you’re not too old and not too young, haven’t moved in the last five years and have paid any and all traffic fines and tickets, starting today you can renew your Washington state driver’s license online.

With all the restrictions, however, the lines may not be getting all that much shorter at the Department of Licensing.

The age requirement is based on the age group that has the fewest crashes – 25- to 65-year-olds – and the fact that appearances change quickly among the youngest.

Other requirements are that the Department of Licensing have an electronic photo of you on file, that they have your Social Security number, that you have no medical or vision condition requiring physician certification and that the license not be for commercial purposes. Otherwise, it’s in-person renewal for you.

Still, for those who are of a medium age, don’t move around a lot and are in good health, the online option could be a good bet to save some time and effort. And it won’t cost you any extra.

If you are eligible for online renewal, you’ll get a notice in the mail telling you how to renew via the Internet.

Winter weather

In addition to today launching the studded-snow-tire season, it’s also the date that the Washington state Department of Transportation starts giving regular mountain pass reports.

The department keeps track of 12 different passes, and information about weather and road conditions at each is available at http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/passes or by calling the 511 traffic information system or 1-800-695-ROAD.

Don’t forget that in bad conditions, chains or traction tires may be required, so be prepared.

Advice for dim bulbs

In the “Gosh, I hope there aren’t drivers who don’t know this on the road with me” category comes this reminder from the Washington State Patrol: turn on your lights when it gets dark.

In its biweekly law review, the State Patrol reminds drivers that parking lights and fog lights do not put out enough light for vehicles to be seen by other motorists, so use of regular headlamps is necessary from a half-hour after sunset until one-half hour before sunrise and during other times of “insufficient light.”

Ready for take-off

Good news for air travelers. Spokane International Airport has completed work on its main runway which is now in use.

Air traffic had been diverted since July to an alternate runway while the main runway was being resurfaced. Problem was it didn’t have the same sophisticated navigational equipment that the main runway employs, so some flights had to be diverted during foggy conditions.

Now planes will be able to land and take off even in fog.

Construction progress

Woo-hoo. Eastbound Interstate 90 traffic is now moving on the new concrete lanes installed this summer between Argonne and Sullivan Roads. But work is still under way on the westbound lanes, noise walls and medians so the speed limit is still reduced to 50 mph.

Also of interest to Spokane Valley drivers, work on 16th Avenue is closing in on completion. Crews this week will be installing approaches and driveways. Hang in there. This one is almost done.