Suspended License

Driving a car is a privilege. The Washington state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is very serious about penalizing drivers who show little respect for traffic laws. A driver’s license can be suspended for a number of reasons, including the following:

DUI conviction; the driver’s license will be suspended for a period of 90 days to four years, depending upon the number of offenses and any other factors, such as a fatality or accident in addition to the DUI

Too many traffic tickets or moving violations; a driver will be placed on probation if they receive four (4) tickets in a one year period or five (5) tickets in a two year period; if a driver receives six (6) tickets in one year, their license will be suspended

Driving without insurance – this a dangerous, illegal offense and will result in a license suspension

Violating other traffic laws such as reckless driving, leaving your vehicle on a public highway, or vehicular manslaughter.

It should be noted that drivers who continue to drive even if their license is suspended will receive a longer suspension sentence if they are caught.

There are also non-driving reasons for a license suspension. Too many unpaid and ignored parking tickets can lead to a suspension, or if a driver ignores a notice from the DMV or Department of Licensing (DOL) or does not appear in court. People who are negligent with child support payments can also receive a license suspension.

If a driver is unaware of their driving record, they should contact the DMV and get a copy of their report. If a driver claims they were unaware of their suspension, it is not a valid excuse. The DMV must have the driver’s current address on file, which is also the responsibility of the individual driver. Drivers have the right to appeal a license suspension by completing the form provided by the court within fifteen (15) days of receiving their notice. Some drivers may be eligible for a Driver Improvement Program to prevent a suspension. To reinstate a license after suspension, the driver must pay a fee and complete the proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) form to prove that they have auto insurance.