Washington State Driving Law
Information on Washington State driving law and Washington State traffic laws...
Suspensions and Revocations
In order to keep your driver license, you must drive safely at all times. The Department of Licensing (DOL) has the authority to suspend or revoke your driving privileges if you violate Washington State traffic laws.
Below you will find some representative examples of violations of Washington State driving law that will result in the suspension or revocation of your driver license, along with information on how to get your driver license back.
Suspension of Driver License
Type of Suspension: Cancelled Insurance
Reason: Your insurance company notified DOL that you are not in compliance with your insurance requirement.
Length of Suspension:Until your insurance company notifies DOL that you are in compliance with your insurance requirement.
Restricted License Status: In accordance with Washington State driving law, you cannot be issued any type of driver license during this suspension.
Reinstatement of License: DOL will release the suspension when your insurance company notifies them that you are in compliance with your insurance requirement. They will mail you a letter telling you that the suspension has been released.
Type of Suspension: Child Support
Reason: The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) notified DOL that you are not in compliance with your child support order.
Length of Suspension:Your license will be suspended until DSHS notifies DOL that you are in compliance with your child support order.
Restricted License Status: In accordance with Washington State driving law, you cannot be issued any type of driver license during this suspension.
Reinstatement of License:
- Call DSHS at 1-800-457-6202.
- DOL will release the suspension when DSHS notifies DOL that you are in compliance with your child support order, and mail you a letter telling you that the suspension has been released.
- Pay a $75 reissue fee, in addition to any other licensing fees, the next time you apply for a Washington driver license.
Type of Suspension: Court Probation Violations
Reason: You were found to have violated mandatory terms of your court probation following a conviction for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) or Physical Control.
Length of Suspension:DOL will suspend your driver license for 30 days or extend the suspension of the existing DUI conviction for another 30 days.
Restricted License Status: In accordance with Washington State driving law, you cannot be issued any type of driver license during this suspension.
Reinstatement of License: In addition to any other licensing fees, you must pay a $75 reissue fee the next time you apply for a Washington driver license.
Type of Suspension: DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
Reason: Driving Under the Influence (DUI) refers to operating a motor vehicle while affected by alcohol, drugs, or both. This applies to both legal and illegal drugs, including prescription medication and over-the-counter drugs.
Length of Suspension:Your license may be suspended from 90 days up to 4 years, based on prior offenses and your blood alcohol level.
Restricted License Status: While your driver license is suspended or revoked, nn accordance with Washington State driving law, you may be eligible for an Occupational/Restricted License (ORL) that will allow you drive to work or other necessary appointments until the suspension is over.
Reinstatement of License: The steps you need to take to reinstate your license are determined by several factors, including your blood alcohol content and whether you were involved in any previous DUI incidents. Your suspension letter lists everything you need to do to get your license back.
Type of Suspension: Reckless Driving
Reason: You were convicted in court and they submitted the conviction information to DOL to be recorded on your driving record.
Length of Suspension:30 days.
Restricted License Status: In accordance with Washington State driving law, you may get an Occupational Restricted License (ORL), as long as you have no other suspensions on your driving record that would prevent DOL from issuing you the ORL.
Reinstatement of License: When you are eligible to reinstate your driver license, you must:
- file future proof of financial responsibility, also known as an SR-22, for 3 years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your driver license for that incident.
- Pay a $75 reissue fee, in addition to any other licensing fees, the next time you apply for a Washington driver license.
Revocation of Driver License
Type of Revocation: Driving While a License is Revoked (First Degree)
Reason:
- You were convicted of 3 offenses requiring mandatory suspension or revocation of a driver license; or
- You were found to have committed or were convicted of 20 or more moving violations within a 5-year period.
Length of Revocation: A minimum of 1 year.
Restricted License Status: You cannot be issued any type of driver license during this revocation.
Reinstatement of License: To be considered for a hearing interview about the revocation, you cannot be cited or found to have committed any new traffic violations within the first year of your revocation.
Type of Revocation: Driving While a License is Revoked (Second Degree)
Reason: You were convicted of driving while your license was suspended in the second degree.
Length of Revocation: A minimum of 1 year.
Restricted License Status: In accordance with Washington State driving law, you cannot be issued any type of driver license during this revocation.
Reinstatement of License: When you are eligible to reinstate your driver license, you must:
- File future proof of financial responsibility, also known as an SR-22, for 3 years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your driver license for that incident.
- Pay a $75 reissue fee, in addition to any other licensing fees, the next time you apply for a Washington driver license
Type of Revocation: Eluding a Police Officer
Reason: You were convicted in court and they submitted the conviction information to DOL to be recorded on your driving record.
Length of Revocation: 1 year.
Restricted License Status: After you have been suspended for 90 days you may get an Occupational Restricted License (ORL), as long as you have no other suspensions on your driving record that would prevent DOL from issuing you the ORL.
Reinstatement of License: When you are eligible to reinstate your driver license, you must:
- File future proof of financial responsibility, also known as an SR-22, for 3 years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your driver license for that incident.
- Pay a $75 reissue fee, in addition to any other licensing fees, the next time you apply for a Washington driver license
Type of Revocation: Felony Involving a Motor Vehicle
Reason: You were convicted in court and they submitted the conviction information to DOL to be recorded on your driving record.
Length of Revocation: 1 year.
Restricted License Status: After you have been suspended for 90 days you may get an Occupational Restricted License (ORL), as long as you have no other suspensions on your driving record that would prevent DOL from issuing you the ORL.
Reinstatement of License: When you are eligible to reinstate your driver license, you must:
- File future proof of financial responsibility, also known as an SR-22, for 3 years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your driver license for that incident.
- Pay a $75 reissue fee, in addition to any other licensing fees, the next time you apply for a Washington driver license
Type of Revocation: Hit and Run (Of an Occupied Vehicle)
Reason: You were convicted in court and they submitted the conviction information to DOL to be recorded on your driving record.
Length of Revocation: 1 year.
Restricted License Status: After you have been suspended for 90 days you may get an Occupational Restricted License (ORL), as long as you have no other suspensions on your driving record that would prevent DOL from issuing you the ORL.
Reinstatement of License: When you are eligible to reinstate your driver license, in accordance with Washington State driving law, you must:
- File future proof of financial responsibility, also known as an SR-22, for 3 years from the date you are eligible to reinstate your driver license for that incident.
- Pay a $75 reissue fee, in addition to any other licensing fees, the next time you apply for a Washington driver license
For more information on Washington State driving law, please visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website.
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