Suspended license in Washington: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
Washington does not use a points system; it counts convictions instead. An Approved safe driving course can be taken instead of, or to end, a suspension, once every 5 years. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $75.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Washington State Department of Licensing states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
This state does not use a points system. What it uses instead — a count of convictions inside a period, a driver-improvement rule or a habitual-offender rule — is described below in the state's own words.
Washington does not assign points. The Department of Licensing counts moving-violation tickets within a period: a driver ticketed for 6 moving violations in 12 months or 7 in 24 months is suspended for 60 days, followed by a 1-year probation during which each further moving violation brings a 30-day suspension. A separate DOL page counts convictions by occasion (traffic stop): 3 occasions in 12 months or 4 in 24 months brings a 60-day suspension. A habitual traffic offender (3 or more listed offenses or 20 or more moving violations in 5 years) is revoked.
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Moving violations count toward a suspension within 12- and 24-month windows (6 in 12 months or 7 in 24 months on the DOL 'Too many traffic tickets' page; 3 or 4 separate occasions on the 'Accumulation of traffic tickets' page). Habitual traffic offender status counts offenses within a 5-year period. The DOL pages do not state a separate period for how long a ticket stays on the driving record.
“6 moving violations in a 12-month period, or 7 moving violations in a 24-month period, Your license will be suspended for 60 days. There is a 1-year probation period following the suspension.”
Check points or the driving record: dol.wa.gov
The statute: RCW 46.20.291(3)
“Has been convicted of offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles, or found to have committed traffic infractions, with such frequency as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws or a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Approved safe driving course |
|---|---|
| Effect | Taken instead of, or to end, a suspension |
| How often | once every 5 years |
Washington has no course that removes points or dismisses a ticket, since no points are assigned. The Department of Licensing's page on suspensions for accumulation of traffic tickets states that an approved safe driving course, if the record of completion is received before the suspension begins or before it ends, can terminate the suspension so the license is returned early; this opportunity is available once every 5 years.
“Take an approved safe driving course. If we receive record of your completed course before your license is suspended or before your suspension ends, your suspension could be terminated, and you could get your license back early. This opportunity is only available once every 5 years.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Too many traffic tickets (moving violations) | A driver ticketed for 6 moving violations in a 12-month period or 7 in a 24-month period is suspended for 60 days, with a 1-year probation afterward; another moving violation during probation brings a 30-day suspension for each offense and restarts the probation. A warning letter may be sent first. | After the suspension, provide a proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) insurance certificate, apply for a new license, and pay the $75 reissue fee plus licensing fees. | $75 |
| Accumulation of traffic tickets (moving violations for traffic infractions) | Infractions are grouped into occasions (traffic stops); a conviction of a moving violation on 3 separate occasions in 12 months or 4 in 24 months brings a 60-day suspension and a 1-year probation, during which each qualifying ticket brings a 30-day suspension served consecutively. | Provide an SR-22 certificate, take an approved safe driving course (which can end the suspension early, once every 5 years), and get a new license. | — |
| Habitual traffic offender (HTO) | A habitual traffic offender is a driver who within a 5-year period has 3 or more convictions of offenses listed in RCW 46.65.020(1) or 20 or more moving violations listed in WAC 308-104-160; the license is revoked until eligible for reinstatement. A stay hearing is possible where the offenses were caused by substance dependency, and a reinstatement hearing after at least 4 years in HTO status with no evidence of driving in 2 years. | Written request for a stay or reinstatement hearing using the Habitual Traffic Offender Hearing Request and Driving Declaration; reinstatement hearing after at least 4 years in HTO status, no evidence of driving in the past 2 years, and all alcohol requirements met. | — |
| Canceled insurance | When an insurance company notifies DOL that a driver is not in compliance with an insurance requirement, DOL suspends the license until the insurer reports compliance. No restricted license can be issued during this suspension. | The insurance company notifies DOL of compliance; DOL then releases the suspension and mails a release letter. | — |
| Child support | On notice from the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) that a driver is not in compliance with a child support order, DOL suspends the license until DSHS reports compliance. No restricted license is available and there is no appeal or administrative review. | Call DSHS (800-457-6202); once DSHS reports compliance DOL releases the suspension; then apply for a new license and pay the $75 reissue fee plus licensing fees. | $75 |
| Unresolved Traffic Citations (UTC), formerly failure to appear in court or pay tickets (FTA) | When a court notifies DOL that a driver failed to resolve a traffic citation for one or more moving violations, the license is suspended until the citation is resolved with the court and the court notifies DOL. An Occupational/Restricted License may be available. | Resolve the citation with the court; after the court clears it and DOL updates the record, apply for a new license and pay a $75 reissue fee ($170 if the original charge was drug or alcohol related) plus licensing fees. | $75 |
| Failure to pay accident damages: Financial Responsibility Law | An uninsured driver or owner in a collision with at least $1,000 property damage to one person or any bodily injury, where a court judgment is reasonably possible, is suspended for 3 years from the collision date unless proof of insurance, a signed release, a written settlement agreement, a security deposit with an SR-22, or a court decision of non-liability is provided within 60 days before the suspension. | Provide one of the listed documents (proof of insurance at the time, releases, settlement agreement, security deposit plus SR-22, or court decision); an Occupational/Restricted License may be available; a hearing may be requested within 20 days. | — |
Source quotes for each cause
Too many traffic tickets (moving violations)
“Your license will be suspended for 60 days. There is a 1-year probation period following the suspension. During probation, if you're ticketed for another moving violation, your license will be suspended for 30 days for each offense and your 1-year probation will start over.”
Accumulation of traffic tickets (moving violations for traffic infractions)
“We'll suspend your license for 60 days if you get: A conviction of a moving violation on 3 separate occasions in a 12-month period, or A conviction of a moving violation on 4 separate occasions in a 24-month period.”
Habitual traffic offender (HTO)
“A habitual traffic offender (HTO) is a driver who, within a 5-year period, has been: Convicted of 3 or more offenses listed in RCW 46.65.020(1), or Found to have been convicted of or committed 20 or more moving violations listed in WAC 308-104-160.”
Canceled insurance
“We'll release the suspension when your insurance company notifies us that you are in compliance with your insurance requirement, and mail you a letter telling you that the suspension has been released.”
Child support
“Your license will be suspended until DSHS notifies us that you are in compliance with your child support order.”
Unresolved Traffic Citations (UTC), formerly failure to appear in court or pay tickets (FTA)
“Your license will remain suspended until you have resolved the citation with the court. The court will notify us that you resolved your traffic citation(s).”
Failure to pay accident damages: Financial Responsibility Law
“The suspension remains in effect for 3 years from the collision date.”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $75. The reissue fee to get a license reissued after a non-alcohol suspension or revocation is $75, in addition to regular licensing fees; after an alcohol-related suspension it is $170. An Occupational/Restricted License application is $100.
“Get license reissued after suspension or revocation: Non-alcohol | See Types of suspensions (Additional fees may apply) | $75”
Resolve the underlying matter
The suspension is released when the court, insurer or agency that caused it reports compliance: the court clears an unresolved citation, the insurance company reports compliance, or DSHS reports compliance with a child support order.
“Contact the court to resolve your citation. The court will notify us that they have cleared your unresolved traffic citation. We'll update your driving record to release the suspension.”
Check the customized reinstatement list in License Express
A License Express account shows a personalized list of what is needed to get driving privileges back through the 'View reinstatement requirements' link.
“Please log in or join to get a list of what you need to do to get your driving privileges back. While logged in, select the "View reinstatement requirements" link. This will open a customized list.”
File an SR-22 if required
For a suspension for too many traffic tickets, a proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) insurance certificate is provided to DOL when the suspension is over.
“To get your license back when the suspension is over: Provide us with a proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) insurance certificate. Apply for a new license.”
Apply for a new license and pay the reissue fee
Once every item is resolved, renew or replace the license (or apply as a first-time driver if more than 6 years have passed) and pay the $75 reissue fee for a non-alcohol suspension ($170 if the charge was drug or alcohol related) plus licensing fees.
“$75 reissue fee plus your licensing fees if the original charge wasn't drug or alcohol related, or $170 reissue fee plus your licensing fees if the original charge was drug or alcohol related.”
Official page: dol.wa.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Washington.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Occupational/Restricted License (ORL). During a suspension for too many traffic tickets, unresolved traffic citations or the Financial Responsibility Law, a driver may be eligible for an Occupational/Restricted License allowing driving to work or other necessary appointments until the suspension ends; the application fee is $100. No restricted license of any type can be issued during a canceled-insurance or child-support suspension.
“While your driver license is suspended, you may be eligible for an Occupational/Restricted License (ORL) that will allow you to drive to work or other necessary appointments until the suspension is over.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Washington.
Questions about a suspended license in Washington
- Does Washington have a points system?
- No. The Washington State Department of Licensing counts tickets rather than points: its 'Too many traffic tickets' page states that 6 moving violations in a 12-month period or 7 in a 24-month period brings a 60-day suspension with a 1-year probation, and its 'Accumulation of traffic tickets' page counts convictions on 3 separate occasions in 12 months or 4 in 24 months. RCW 46.20.291(3) authorizes suspension for violations committed with frequency indicating disregard for traffic laws.
- What is a habitual traffic offender in Washington?
- According to the Department of Licensing, a habitual traffic offender is a driver who within a 5-year period has 3 or more convictions of offenses listed in RCW 46.65.020(1) or 20 or more moving violations listed in WAC 308-104-160. The license is revoked; a reinstatement hearing may be requested after at least 4 years in HTO status with no evidence of driving in the past 2 years.
- Can a course end a Washington ticket suspension early?
- The Department of Licensing states that for a suspension for accumulation of traffic tickets, if the record of a completed approved safe driving course is received before the suspension begins or before it ends, the suspension could be terminated and the license returned early. This opportunity is available only once every 5 years. No course removes points, since Washington assigns none.
- What does it cost to reinstate a Washington license after a non-DUI suspension?
- The Department of Licensing fee page lists a $75 fee to get a license reissued after a non-alcohol suspension or revocation, plus regular licensing fees; the fee is $170 after an alcohol-related suspension. An Occupational/Restricted License application costs $100.
- Is a restricted license available during a Washington ticket suspension?
- The Department of Licensing states that a driver suspended for too many traffic tickets or unresolved traffic citations may be eligible for an Occupational/Restricted License (ORL) to drive to work or other necessary appointments. No restricted license can be issued during a canceled-insurance or child-support suspension.
Sources
- Washington DOL - Types of driver license suspensions (all causes)
- Washington DOL - Suspended driver license
- Washington DOL - Too many traffic tickets (moving violations)
- Washington DOL - Accumulation of traffic tickets (moving violations for traffic infractions)
- Washington DOL - Habitual traffic offender
- Washington DOL - Canceled insurance
- Washington DOL - Child support
- Washington DOL - Unresolved Traffic Citations (UTC)
- Washington DOL - Failure to pay accident damages: Financial Responsibility Law
- Washington DOL - Driver licensing fees
- Washington DOL - Driving records
- RCW 46.20.291 - Authority to suspend; grounds
- RCW 46.65.020 - Habitual offender defined
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Washington license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/washington/suspended-license/