Washington Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI
Washington driving rules: point system, speeding points, traffic school, how to pay or fight a ticket, license suspension, DUI limits and penalties.
Quick answers for Washington
- Point system
- Washington does not use points; it counts moving-violation 'occasions' (multiple tickets from one traffic stop count as one). RCW 46.20.2892; DOL, Accumulation of traffic tickets
- Points for speeding
- No points. A speeding ticket is a moving-violation infraction that counts as an 'occasion' toward the 60-day suspension (3 occasions in 12 months or 4 in 24 months). RCW 46.20.2892; DOL, Accumulation of traffic tickets
- Legal BAC limit
- 0.08 alcohol concentration within two hours of driving (or THC of 5.00 or more). Drivers under 21 are guilty of a separate offense at 0.02 or more. RCW 46.61.502(1), 46.61.503(1)
- First-offense DUI penalties
- With no prior offense in seven years and an alcohol concentration under 0.15: at least 24 consecutive hours and up to 364 days in jail (the court may instead order at least 15 days of electronic home monitoring or 90 days of 24/7 sobriety monitoring) and a fine of $350 to $5,000. RCW 46.61.5055(1)
Last verified: 2026-10-27
Tickets and points
| Point system | Washington does not use points; it counts moving-violation 'occasions' (multiple tickets from one traffic stop count as one). DOL suspends the license for 60 days after moving violations on 3 separate occasions in 12 months or 4 in 24 months, followed by one year of probation; each moving violation during probation adds a 30-day suspension. A warning notice is sent at 2 occasions in one year or 3 in two years. The driver must complete a safe driving course before reinstatement and may request a review within 15 days of the suspension letter. |
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| Points for speeding | No points. A speeding ticket is a moving-violation infraction that counts as an 'occasion' toward the 60-day suspension (3 occasions in 12 months or 4 in 24 months). Speeding fine amounts are set by court rule and were not confirmed. |
| How long points last | Moving violations count toward suspension when they fall within a one-year or two-year window. How long infractions remain on the driving record was not confirmed. Source: RCW 46.20.2892 |
| Traffic school | There are no points to remove, but a court may defer findings on a contested or mitigation hearing for up to one year with conditions; if the driver meets the conditions and has no new infraction, the court may dismiss the ticket. Only one deferral is allowed in seven years for moving violations, and commercial drivers are not eligible. Separately, completing a DOL-approved safe driving course can end a too-many-tickets suspension early, once every five years. Source: RCW 46.63.070(5); RCW 46.20.2892 |
| Paying or fighting a ticket | A person must respond to a notice of traffic infraction within 30 days. To pay, complete the notice and send it with the penalty by mail or in person to the court on the notice (or indicate an inability to pay in full). To contest, request a hearing on the notice; the court sets a hearing at least seven days out. A person may also request a hearing to explain mitigating circumstances. Failing to respond or appear results in the penalty being assessed and DOL being notified, which can lead to a license suspension. Source: RCW 46.63.070 |
| Paying or looking up a ticket online | Traffic tickets are paid to the court where the ticket was filed; the Administrative Office of the Courts states that all court fines are managed by the court where the fine originated and cannot give a list of your fines. Many courts offer online status checks and payment on their own websites (reachable from the state's district, municipal and superior court pages and court directory), and Find My Court Date and Search Case Records help locate a case. Case search: https://dw.courts.wa.gov/ |
License suspension
| License suspension | DOL may suspend a license for offenses requiring mandatory suspension, causing a crash through reckless or unlawful driving, frequent moving violations, failing to respond to a ticket or appear at a hearing, license fraud, or child support noncompliance. Too-many-tickets suspensions last 60 days plus probation (no reissue fee is charged for that suspension). DUI and test refusal bring administrative suspensions or revocations. |
|---|---|
| Hardship or restricted license | A driver suspended for failing to respond or appear, financial responsibility violations, or too many moving violations may apply to DOL for an occupational driver's license valid for the suspension period. A temporary restricted license is available for some mandatory suspensions, but not for DUI, physical control, vehicular homicide, or vehicular assault. Ignition interlock licenses after DUI were not confirmed. Source: RCW 46.20.391 |
| Checking and reinstating a license | Checking your license status and finding out how to get your driving privilege back is free through DOL's online license status check. Getting a license reissued after a suspension or revocation costs $75 (non-alcohol) or $170 (alcohol), and additional fees may apply. Status check: https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/extdriveses/ESP/NoLogon/_/ |
DUI / DWI
| Legal BAC limit | 0.08 alcohol concentration within two hours of driving (or THC of 5.00 or more). Drivers under 21 are guilty of a separate offense at 0.02 or more. The commercial driver limit was not confirmed. Source: RCW 46.61.502(1), 46.61.503(1) |
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| First-offense DUI penalties | With no prior offense in seven years and an alcohol concentration under 0.15: at least 24 consecutive hours and up to 364 days in jail (the court may instead order at least 15 days of electronic home monitoring or 90 days of 24/7 sobriety monitoring) and a fine of $350 to $5,000. At 0.15 or more, or after a test refusal: at least 48 consecutive hours (or alternatives such as 30 days of home monitoring) and higher minimum fines. The license is suspended for 90 days (under 0.15) or revoked for one year (0.15 or more or refusal), or until the person is evaluated and completes or enrolls in the recommended treatment. Source: RCW 46.61.5055(1) |
| When a DUI is a felony | In Washington, DUI is a class B felony if the person has three or more prior offenses within 15 years (as defined in RCW 46.61.5055). It is also a class B felony if the person has ever been convicted of vehicular homicide or vehicular assault while under the influence (or a comparable out-of-state offense), or of a previous felony DUI or felony physical control. Otherwise, DUI is a gross misdemeanor. Source: RCW 46.61.502(5)-(6) |
| Refusing a breath test | Refusing a breath or blood test leads to administrative revocation for one year for a first refusal with no prior incident in seven years; two years (or until age 21, if longer) for a second refusal or with a prior incident. Testing at 0.08 or more brings a 90-day administrative suspension for a first incident (unless the person completes or enrolls in a pretrial 24/7 sobriety program) and two years for a second within seven years. Source: RCW 46.20.3101 |
| DUI lookback period | Seven years for repeat-offense misdemeanor penalties (counting arrests within seven years before or after the current arrest). A DUI becomes a felony with three or more prior offenses within 15 years, or with certain prior serious convictions at any time. Source: RCW 46.61.5055 |
| How long a DUI stays on your record | Permanent. By law, the Department of Licensing may not destroy records of DUI, physical control, vehicular homicide or vehicular assault convictions, deferred prosecutions, or other 'prior offenses' under RCW 46.61.5055, and must keep them on file permanently. On the criminal side, a DUI or physical-control conviction generally cannot be vacated under Washington's misdemeanor vacation statute. Abstracts given to insurers cover no more than the last 3 years (RCW 46.52.130). Vacation statute: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.96.060 |
| Sobriety checkpoints | Not allowed. In City of Seattle v. Mesiani (1988), the Washington Supreme Court held that Seattle's DUI roadblock program violated article I, section 7 of the Washington Constitution. The state's Criminal Justice Training Commission summarizes the law as: sobriety checkpoints are not allowed, at least in the absence of express statutory authority. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission's 2023 report to the Legislature recommended that lawmakers consider authorizing publicized sobriety checkpoints. WTSC report: https://wtsc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2023/12/WTSC_Alcohol-and-drug-impaired-driving_Report-to-the-Legislature_2023.pdf |
Phones and distracted driving
| Phone and texting laws | Using a personal electronic device while driving is a traffic infraction, including while stopped in traffic or at a light. Prohibited use includes holding the device and using a hand or finger to compose, send, read, view, or browse texts, email, photos, or other data, though a minimal finger use to start or stop a function is allowed. Exceptions include contacting emergency services. A second or later offense carries double the penalty, and penalties double in crash prevention zones. Source: RCW 46.61.672 |
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Where to get help in Washington
Traffic Tickets & DUI FAQ
How does the driver point system work in Washington?
Washington does not use points; it counts moving-violation 'occasions' (multiple tickets from one traffic stop count as one). DOL suspends the license for 60 days after moving violations on 3 separate occasions in 12 months or 4 in 24 months, followed by one year of probation; each moving violation during probation adds a 30-day suspension. A warning notice is sent at 2 occasions in one year or 3 in two years. The driver must complete a safe driving course before reinstatement and may request a review within 15 days of the suspension letter.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Washington?
No points. A speeding ticket is a moving-violation infraction that counts as an 'occasion' toward the 60-day suspension (3 occasions in 12 months or 4 in 24 months).
How long do points stay on your license in Washington?
Moving violations count toward suspension when they fall within a one-year or two-year window.
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Washington?
There are no points to remove, but a court may defer findings on a contested or mitigation hearing for up to one year with conditions; if the driver meets the conditions and has no new infraction, the court may dismiss the ticket. Only one deferral is allowed in seven years for moving violations, and commercial drivers are not eligible. Separately, completing a DOL-approved safe driving course can end a too-many-tickets suspension early, once every five years.
How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket online in Washington?
Traffic tickets are paid to the court where the ticket was filed; the Administrative Office of the Courts states that all court fines are managed by the court where the fine originated and cannot give a list of your fines. Many courts offer online status checks and payment on their own websites (reachable from the state's district, municipal and superior court pages and court directory), and Find My Court Date and Search Case Records help locate a case.
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in Washington?
Checking your license status and finding out how to get your driving privilege back is free through DOL's online license status check. Getting a license reissued after a suspension or revocation costs $75 (non-alcohol) or $170 (alcohol), and additional fees may apply.
How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in Washington?
A person must respond to a notice of traffic infraction within 30 days. To pay, complete the notice and send it with the penalty by mail or in person to the court on the notice (or indicate an inability to pay in full). To contest, request a hearing on the notice; the court sets a hearing at least seven days out. A person may also request a hearing to explain mitigating circumstances. Failing to respond or appear results in the penalty being assessed and DOL being notified, which can lead to a license suspension.
What gets your license suspended in Washington?
DOL may suspend a license for offenses requiring mandatory suspension, causing a crash through reckless or unlawful driving, frequent moving violations, failing to respond to a ticket or appear at a hearing, license fraud, or child support noncompliance. Too-many-tickets suspensions last 60 days plus probation (no reissue fee is charged for that suspension). DUI and test refusal bring administrative suspensions or revocations.
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Washington?
0.08 alcohol concentration within two hours of driving (or THC of 5.00 or more). Drivers under 21 are guilty of a separate offense at 0.02 or more.
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Washington?
With no prior offense in seven years and an alcohol concentration under 0.15: at least 24 consecutive hours and up to 364 days in jail (the court may instead order at least 15 days of electronic home monitoring or 90 days of 24/7 sobriety monitoring) and a fine of $350 to $5,000. At 0.15 or more, or after a test refusal: at least 48 consecutive hours (or alternatives such as 30 days of home monitoring) and higher minimum fines. The license is suspended for 90 days (under 0.15) or revoked for one year (0.15 or more or refusal), or until the person is evaluated and completes or enrolls in the recommended treatment.
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Washington?
Refusing a breath or blood test leads to administrative revocation for one year for a first refusal with no prior incident in seven years; two years (or until age 21, if longer) for a second refusal or with a prior incident. Testing at 0.08 or more brings a 90-day administrative suspension for a first incident (unless the person completes or enrolls in a pretrial 24/7 sobriety program) and two years for a second within seven years.
How long does a DUI count as a prior offense in Washington?
Seven years for repeat-offense misdemeanor penalties (counting arrests within seven years before or after the current arrest). A DUI becomes a felony with three or more prior offenses within 15 years, or with certain prior serious convictions at any time.
Can you get a hardship license in Washington?
A driver suspended for failing to respond or appear, financial responsibility violations, or too many moving violations may apply to DOL for an occupational driver's license valid for the suspension period. A temporary restricted license is available for some mandatory suspensions, but not for DUI, physical control, vehicular homicide, or vehicular assault.
Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Washington?
Using a personal electronic device while driving is a traffic infraction, including while stopped in traffic or at a light. Prohibited use includes holding the device and using a hand or finger to compose, send, read, view, or browse texts, email, photos, or other data, though a minimal finger use to start or stop a function is allowed. Exceptions include contacting emergency services. A second or later offense carries double the penalty, and penalties double in crash prevention zones.
Is a DUI a felony in Washington?
In Washington, DUI is a class B felony if the person has three or more prior offenses within 15 years (as defined in RCW 46.61.5055). It is also a class B felony if the person has ever been convicted of vehicular homicide or vehicular assault while under the influence (or a comparable out-of-state offense), or of a previous felony DUI or felony physical control. Otherwise, DUI is a gross misdemeanor.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Washington?
Permanent. By law, the Department of Licensing may not destroy records of DUI, physical control, vehicular homicide or vehicular assault convictions, deferred prosecutions, or other 'prior offenses' under RCW 46.61.5055, and must keep them on file permanently. On the criminal side, a DUI or physical-control conviction generally cannot be vacated under Washington's misdemeanor vacation statute.
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Washington?
Not allowed. In City of Seattle v. Mesiani (1988), the Washington Supreme Court held that Seattle's DUI roadblock program violated article I, section 7 of the Washington Constitution. The state's Criminal Justice Training Commission summarizes the law as: sobriety checkpoints are not allowed, at least in the absence of express statutory authority. The Washington Traffic Safety Commission's 2023 report to the Legislature recommended that lawmakers consider authorizing publicized sobriety checkpoints.
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