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A suspended license is always a hassle, and it is important to be aware of the varying consequences which you may face depending on the state your license is suspended in. In this guide, we will go through everything you need to know about driver’s license suspension in the state of Washington.
Why Would One’s License be Suspended in Washington?
Depending on the state you find yourself in, your driver’s license can be suspended for an array of reasons. In the state of Washington, some convictions which may result in a license suspension include:
● Driving Under the Influence (DUI)
● At fault in a fatal accident
A suspended license means the loss of driving privileges for 364 days or less. If it is more, it is a revoked or canceled license. Driving with a suspended license can result in severe consequences, so it is crucial to stay vigilant about your license status. In the following sections, we will describe how to check whether your license is suspended or not.
How Many Violations Will Suspend my License in Washington?
Washington state does not use a point system, as do other states, to determine when a license is suspended. In Washington, six moving violations in 12 months will lead to a driver’s license suspension.
Levels of a Suspended License in Washington
There are different levels of a suspended license in Washington. These include DWLS-3, -2, and -1. In this section, we will consider each level, and what each one entails.
DWLS-3 for drivers who have ignored a traffic ticket, not filed proof of insurance with the Department of Licensing when required to do so, or violated certain terms of an intermediate driver license. This is considered a misdemeanor.
DWLS-2 occurs when a driver license is suspended or revoked, but the driver’s license is not eligible to be reinstated. This is considered a gross misdemeanor.
DWLS -1 occurs when a person operates a motor vehicle while under an order of revocation under the Habitual Traffic Offenders Act. This is also considered a gross misdemeanor but higher fines than a DWLS-2.
Penalties for Driving with a Suspended License in Washington
It is important to keep in mind the kinds of consequences you may face for driving with a suspended license in Washington. Driving with a suspended license could cost you a lot of money and possible imprisonment, so it is important to know what you are getting into if you drive with a suspended license.
● DWLS-3 is punishable by up to 90 days imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
● DWLS-2 is punishable by up to 364 days imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.
● DWLS-1 is punishable by up to 364 days imprisonment and a $5000 fine; however, a first offense conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 10 days in jail; a second conviction carries a mandatory minimum of 90 days in jail; a third conviction imprisonment of not less than 180 days. Also, if the conviction occurred as part of the same event giving rise to a DUI or physical control conviction, the mandatory minimum is 180 days imprisonment, even for a first offense DWLS-1.
It is crucial that you wait for the suspension period to be over and your license reinstated before driving. Otherwise, you could face severe consequences, which are much more difficult to handle than waiting to have your license reinstated.
How to Reinstate One’s License
In some cases, reinstating a license is not as big of a hassle as it may seem at first. In order to get your license reinstated, you will need to follow these steps:
● Wait for the suspension period to be over
● If it was for an unpaid ticket, pay the ticket
● Give the court a completed SR-22 form (this can be found here)
● Pay the $75 fee (other fees may apply)
Given the heavy consequences which can ensue driving with a suspended license, it is crucial to wait for the entire suspension period to be over and to have your license reinstated before getting back on the road. If you are unsure of whether your license is suspended, you can use one of the following methods described in the following sections to check.
Need Help?
If you have questions about reinstating your Washington state license, you can call or contact the Washington driver’s license department to speak with a professional. To contact, either call them at (360) 902-3900, or shoot them an email at drivers@dol.wa.gov.
How to Find Out if your License is Suspended in Washington
There are notably two ways you can check to see whether your license is suspended in Washington state. To check online, simply follow this link here and follow the instructions to check on your license status. Otherwise, you can purchase a copy of your driving record by sending this completed form with $13 to the Driver Records Department of Licensing in Seattle.
What is a Restricted License?
Depending on the circumstances of your conviction and the current state of your driving record, you may be approved to get an Occupational/Restricted license (ORL) that will allow you to drive to and from work, school, or other vital locations.
You will be limited to only driving to specified locations and during specific hours. Applying for an ORL includes paying a $100 fee and could include supplemental fees, such as the cost of installing an ignition interlock device for DUI convictions.
Conclusion
Each state has its own driver license rules and regulations, so it is important to check these specific rules for every new state you fix yourself driving in. Although getting your license suspended is always a hassle no matter what state you find yourself in, if you respect the rules and regulations you can get your license reinstated in little time.
