Suspended – Revoked License in Washington

(SEE BELOW FOR COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) INFORMATION)

There is a difference between having your Washington driver’s license suspended and having it revoked.

• A suspension means you cannot drive for a certain period of time, but can get your license back later.
• A revocation of your license means your driver’s license is cancelled, and you will need to submit to an investigation before you can obtain another license.

Insurance companies keep a close watch on license suspensions / revocations. Your insurance premiums may go up drastically, and you may be labeled a “high-risk” customer. Even worse, your insurance company may cancel your policy, leaving you to search for insurance with the “high-risk” driver tag, meaning you’ll have to pay much higher premiums. It is recommended that you get in touch with a DUI/DWI lawyer as they are experts at handling such incidents and can offer you the best advice. Additionally, you will face Heavy Fines and Reinstatement Fees, and Points on your driver’s license! All this information can be found on our website. You could also contact an STA Advisor absolutely FREE!!!

• If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer.

Check Your Driver’s License Status: It is important to keep track of your driving record, as accumulating too many points may lead to a suspended license in Washington. Your driver’s license will be first placed on probation; then, if you violate the terms of your probation, it will be suspended. You will be placed on a 1-year probation if you receive:

• 4 moving violations within 12 months; 
OR
• 5 moving violations within 24 months.
• If you receive 2 moving violations during your probation, you will receive a 30-day suspension and another year of probation.
• If you receive 1 moving violation during your additional probation period, your driver’s license will be suspended for 60 days, 120 days, or 364 days, depending on the number of suspensions you’ve had.

You can keep track of your moving violations and driving record points by ordering your Washington DOL driving record.

While your driver’s license is suspended, you may be eligible for an:

• Occupational/Restricted License (ORL), if your license was suspended for non-drug/alcohol-related offenses.
• Ignition Interlock License (IIL), if your license was suspended for drug or alcohol-related offenses.

NOTE: You must send in all necessary documents to the WA DOL within 30 days, otherwise your fee will be forfeited and your application will be denied.

To apply for an ORL or IIL, you’ll need:

• Proof of your financial responsibility, such as an SR22 from your insurance company.
• A completed Restricted Driver License Application (Form DR-500-001).
• To install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle(s). The installer will notify the WA DOL.
• Payment for the $100 application fee.

Submit the above in person at your local WA DOL office OR mail it to:

Restricted Driver License

Department of Licensing

PO Box 3907

Seattle, WA 98124-3907

If your application is denied, you can request a hearing by:

• Completing the DOL hearing request form provided with your denial notice; 
OR
• Mailing a letter requesting a hearing to:

Hearings and Interviews

Department of Licensing

PO Box 9031

Olympia, WA 98507-9031

You may appeal a license suspension within 15 days of receiving the notification letter. The notification letter includes a form on which you can appeal your suspension. In addition, drivers whose license may be suspended may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program can enable an individual to avoid having his license suspended. It is also a good idea to seek the advice of a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer, based on the reason for the suspension.

If you want to contest your suspended license, you can request an administrative hearing with the Washington DOL.

You’ll need to request an administrative hearing within either 15 days or 20 days depending on the reason for your suspension.

If you are not a “Habitual Traffic Offender” and are not requesting a hearing for a DUI suspension, there will be no fee for a hearing. Just complete the hearing request you received with your suspension notice and send it to the address specified on the form.

NOTE: Washington DOL administrative hearings have no affect on court convictions. For more information on requesting a hearing with the WA DOL, visit the website.

• DUI/DWI Suspensions:

To request a hearing for a license suspension caused by a DUI/DWI arrest, you’ll need:

• To complete Hearing request form on the WA DOL website, 
or Request for DUI Hearing (Form HRNG-525-001) and mail it to the address on the form.
• Payment for the $375 DUI hearing request fee. This fee may be waived if you’re classified as impoverished. You will need to complete the Application for DUI Indigent Waiver and return it (along with any required documents) to the address specified on the form.
• Habitual Traffic Offenders:

If you are identified as a habitual traffic offender, complete a Habitual Traffic Offender Hearing Request (Form HRNG-525-006) and mail or fax it to the details specified on the form.

• Appeal Your Hearing Decision

If you’ve had your Washington DOL hearing and would like to appeal the decision, you’ll need:

• To submit your appeal within 30 days to the superior court in the county where you were arrested.
• Payment for the $40 administrative record preparation fee.

Mail your payment and notice of appeal to:

Hearings and Interviews Unit

Department of Licensing

PO Box 9048

Olympia, WA 98507-9048

The steps to reinstate your driver’s license will vary depending on the circumstances of your suspension. For specific steps to reinstate your suspended driver’s license, visit the Washington Department of Licensing website and:

• Provide your full name, date of birth, driver’s license number, and eye color (as shown on your driver’s license).
• Choose whether or not you have a Social Security number (SSN).

In some cases, to reinstate your suspended license you’ll need to:

• Satisfy your court requirements and fines, if applicable.
• Maintain proof of insurance for at least 3 years from your reinstatement with an SR22 from your insurance company, a deposit with the WA State Treasurer, or a security bond.
• Pay a licensing and reinstatement fee.

(See “Fees to Reinstate Your WA Driver’s License” below)

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. Your Washington commercial drivers license (CDL) can be suspended whether you violate traffic laws or commit crimes in Washington or out of state. Additionally, your CDL may be disqualified for violations committed in both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. Depending on your offense, you may face both state and federal suspensions and charges. If your CDL is disqualified, notify your employer within 30 days, and notify the Washington DOL of out-of-state convictions within 30 days by writing a letter and sending it to:

CDL Program

Department of Licensing

PO Box 9030

Olympia, Washington 98507-9030

The duration of your CDL disqualification/suspension and your reinstatement requirements will vary depending on your violation. Your CDL can be suspended for:

• Leaving the scene of a truck accident you were involved in.
• Serious traffic violations.
• 60 days: For 2 serious traffic violations within 3 years.
• 120 days: For 3 serious traffic violations within 3 years.
• 60 days to 1 year: For reckless driving and speeding. Additionally, Railroad-Crossing Violations, depending on the number of offenses you’ve had.
• 180 days to 3 years: For violating an out-of-service order.
• 1 year or 3 years: If your commercial vehicle contain hazardous materials and you commit a major violation, such as:
  • Driving on a suspended, revoked, or disqualified license.
  • Using your vehicle to commit a felony.
  • Driving under the influence (BAC of 0.04% or higher) or refusing a BAC Test: You will be placed out-of-service for 24 hours if a law enforcement officer detects any amount of alcohol while you are driving a commercial vehicle. Depending on the circumstances of your offense, you may also face additional criminal court charges and lose your non-commercial driver’s license.
• Life: If you commit a 2nd major violation or subsequent offenses.

For more information on federal regulations and penalties, please see the FMCSA website.

Depending on your offense, you may also face a court suspension and additional penalties. A commercial driver’s license lawyer may be able to help you through the legal process.

Convictions, license suspensions, revocations, and court penalties received in both commercial and non-commercial vehicles will stay on your driving record for 55 years. Accidents involving a commercial vehicle will stay on your record for 10 years. Washington DOL administrative suspensions, revocations, and disqualifications remain on your record for 5 years. Court convictions involving alcohol stay on your record permanently.

You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

If you want to contest your CDL suspension you received from the Washington DOL, you can request an administrative hearing. You must request the hearing within 15 to 20 days of receiving the suspension, depending on your violation. You’ll need to complete the hearing request you received with your suspension notice and return it to the address on the form.

Two common reasons for reviews are alcohol-related suspensions and habitual traffic offender suspensions; however, there are many other CDL suspensions in Washington that you can request an admin review for.

If your suspension was due to an alcohol-related offense, or you are a habitual traffic offender, see below. For more information on other types of CDL administrative reviews, please contact the Department of Licensing.

Alcohol-Related Suspensions: If you are requesting a hearing for a CDL suspension caused by a DUI or BAC test refusal:

• Complete the online DUI hearing request form on the WA DOL website or Request for DUI Hearing (Form HRNG-525-001) and mail it to the address on the form.
• Pay the $375 DUI hearing request fee.

Habitual Traffic Offenders: If you have been identified as a Habitual Traffic Offender, submit a Habitual Traffic Offender Hearing Request(Form HRNG-525-006) to the details listed on the form.

Appeal a Hearing Decision: If you’d like to appeal the decision of the WA DOL administrative hearing submit your appeal within 30 days to the superior court in the county where you were arrested and mail the $40 fee and notice of appeal you filed to:

Hearings and Interviews Unit

Department of Licensing

PO Box 9048

Olympia, WA 98507-9048

NOTE: Washington DOL administrative hearings have no affect on court convictions.

If your Washington CDL has been suspended, you may be eligible for one of the following restricted driver’s licenses:

• Ignition interlock driver license (IIL), if your license was suspended for drug or alcohol offenses.
• Occupational/restricted license (ORL), if your CDL was suspended for reasons other than drug and alcohol offenses.

NOTE: A restricted license allows you to drive a non-commercial vehicle to and from approved locations only. You cannot drive a commercial vehicle on a restricted license.

To apply for a restricted license, you’ll need:

• An SR22 from your insurance company.
• A completed Restricted Driver License Application (Form DR-500-001).
• Payment for the $100 application fee.

Submit the above in person at your local WA DOL office or mail it to:

Restricted Driver License

Department of Licensing

PO Box 3907

Seattle, WA 98124-3907

To apply for an IIL, in addition to the above you’ll also need to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle(s). The installer will notify the WA DOL.

NOTE: If the Washington DOL does not receive the required documents within 30 days, your fee will be forfeited and your application will be denied. If your application is denied, you can request an administrative hearing with the DOL request form provided in your denial notice.

The steps to reinstate your CDL will vary depending on the circumstances of your suspension. To get specific information on the steps to reinstate your CDL, visit the Washington Department of Licensing website and enter your full name, birth date and driver’s license number. Generally, to reinstate a suspended/revoked license you’ll need to:

• Satisfy any court requirements and pay any outstanding fines, if applicable.
• Maintain proof of car insurance for at least 3 years from your reinstatement date, with an SR22 from your insurance company or a deposit for an approved amount.
• Pay the licensing and reinstatement fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your Washington CDL” below.)

If your CDL is suspended, you may need to:

• Pass the commercial driver knowledge and driving skills tests.
• Pass a hazardous materials knowledge test, if applicable.
• Provide proof you completed a course at a CDL training school, if necessary.
• Pay the CDL re-qualification fee. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your Washington CDL” below.)