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Many states have what we call “point systems,” which involve assigning points to drivers’ licenses based on the severity of the violations that they’re found guilty of. The state of Washington, however, doesn’t have such a system. Instead, Washington courts label repeat offenders “habitual traffic offenders.” That label can have serious consequences for drivers in the state.

Does Washington Have a Point System?

Washington state does not have a point system. Under no circumstances (even if you commit a violation in another state) will drivers with Washington state driver licenses get points on their license.

That being said, the state still monitors the number of violations on your record. Getting too many moving violation convictions within too short a period of time can still result in some nasty penalties. We’ll cover those in greater detail later in this article.

Despite the fact that Washington doesn’t have a point system, out-of-state drivers who get tickets in Washington might find those tickets being reported to their home state’s government. That can result in your still receiving points on your out-of-state license.

Moving Violation Penalties

When talking about traffic violations, convictions matter more than anything else. If your case does not lead to a conviction (such as when your ticket gets dismissed), then you will not have to worry about facing any penalties associated with that case’s charges. So, the best way to avoid moving violation penalties in Washington state is to hire a lawyer through the WinIt app, fight your ticket, and get it dismissed.

If you aren’t able to get out of your tickets, those convictions can add up. If you are found guilty of committing six or more moving violations within 12 months, the state will suspend your driver license for up to 60 days. Each subsequent violation will lead to harsher penalties, all of which are cumulative to this 60-day suspension.

What Is Considered a Moving Violation?

But what exactly is a moving violation? A moving violation is any traffic offense that takes place while the vehicle is in motion. This is a loose definition, however, so consider it a useful rule of thumb and not a hard and fast rule. Here are a few examples of moving violations in Washington:

• Speeding
• Running a stop sign
• Failure to yield
• Seatbelt violations
• Reckless driving
• Evading police
• Following too closely (tailgating)

Driving Violations

In Washington, moving violations are the most severe kind of driving violations. These violations have a long list of cumulative penalties that get worse with each additional conviction. Those penalties include things like license suspensions, fines, fees, and mandatory courses.

As we discussed earlier in this article, being convicted of six or more moving violations within a 12-month period will result in the 60-day suspension of your driver license. However, certain driving violations can result in greater suspensions or even the total revocation of your driver license.

In addition to the common ticket fine, you will also often have to pay additional court fees and surcharges if you go to court. On top of these additional fees and surcharges are driver license reinstatement fees, which you’ll have to pay if your license is ever suspended or revoked.

If a court convicts you of a drug- or alcohol- related violation, you might also be required to attend drug and alcohol courses.

Although all of the above costs can add up to be quite expensive, they pale in comparison to the increased prices of your insurance as a result of a traffic ticket conviction. In many cases, a single speeding ticket can increase your car insurance by 23.2%—that’s another 23.2 cents on top of every single dollar you pay. 

What Should I Do If I Get a Ticket in Washington?

If you get a traffic ticket in Washington, the first thing you should do is read it. Make sure to pay special attention to the appearance date, the charges, and whether you have a mandatory court appearance or can enter a plea by mail.

The second thing you should do is download the WinIt app and select an expert traffic ticket attorney to help you fight your case. The best way to beat a case is with the help of a lawyer.

Keep in mind that paying the ticket is considered an admission of guilt, which means that you will be found guilty and convicted of the charges of the ticket if you pay it before your court date. If you intend to contest the ticket in court, do not pay it until after you have lost your case.

Habitual Traffic Offender

Instead of point-based penalties, Washington state uses violation-based penalties. That’s where habitual traffic offenders come in.

What Is a Habitual Traffic Offender?

A habitual traffic offender is a person who frequently violates the state’s traffic laws. Habitual traffic offenders are so called because of their tendency to rack up moving violations. This designation can have serious consequences for those drivers who qualify to be labeled by it.

If the state determines that you should be designated a habitual traffic offender, that designation will stay on your record for seven years. For the entirety of those seven years, you will be unable to drive or otherwise operate a motor vehicle.

The requirements for being designated a habitual traffic offender are as follows:

• Being convicted of three or more major moving violations within a five-year period
• OR being convicted of 20 or more minor moving violations within a five-year period.

What Is Considered Major Traffic Offenses?

Major traffic offenses are the worst of the worst. This category of offenses contains only the most egregious breaches of Washington’s vehicle and traffic laws. Here are a few examples:

• Reckless driving
• Driving while under the influence (DUI)
• Driving with a suspended license
• Vehicular homicide
• Vehicular assault
• Hit and run
• Eluding a police officer