How to Know if Your Washington State Driver’s License Has Been Suspended 

How to Know if Your Washington State Driver’s License Has Been Suspended 

Ever get the feeling a police car is directly in your rearview mirror, and you stare as open-eyed as possible ahead of you while trying not to drink your own sweat? Even the most innocent Washington drivers grow a perspiration mustache at the sight of flashing blue and red lights. 

But then there are other times when your palms start slipping and sliding on the wheel because your license is suspended and you’re about to be pulled over. 

Are you about to get arrested? Will your car be towed? Can you still get affordable auto insurance in Washington? Well, you should have thought about that before, but here is some incredible hindsight. 

Don’t get ahead of yourself. Stay calm. Most importantly, find out if license suspension is an issue before you see flashing lights in your rearview mirror. And if you do realize you might need an SR-22 (more about that in a moment), Very Fonk has you covered. 

How Do I Know if My License Is Suspended in Washington? 

The fact that you’re asking yourself that question might be a clue that you have a problem. 

If you haven’t had recent contact with law enforcement or the court system in Washington concerning your driving, you probably have nothing to worry about. But if you’ve deliberately ignored a court summons regarding criminal driving offenses, or you’ve received and ignored an order to file an SR-22 auto insurance certificate with the DMV, you might be driving on a suspended license. 

How to Check if Your License Is Suspended in Washington 

Fortunately, you’ve got several ways to check the status of your license in Washington. Hopefully, you won’t get a ticket after you pull over. If you do get one, check your violation ticket as soon as it comes. Read it to see whether you can simply pay the fine or if you must appear in court. 

Online Tools: Checking Your License Status Made Easy 

For you, the fastest and easiest way of gathering information on just about any subject is to go online. For this important topic, visit the Washington State Department of Licensing website. Fill out a few fields and get a quick “Yes” or “No” answer as to whether your driver’s license is current. It’s a lot better than standing in line for three hours at a physical office, that’s for sure. 

What Info You Need to Check Your Status 

To check your license status on the DOL’s website, you’ll need to enter an ID number associated with your driver’s license, instruction permit, ID card, CDL, CLP, or motorcycle endorsement/permit. You’ll also need to provide your date of birth. And that’s it! 

What You’ll See 

You’ll see one of two pieces of information: 

1. Your license is current 

2. Your license is expired, suspended, or otherwise not current (or, alternatively, no such license exists) 

You will not, however, see any personal info, driving records about collisions or violations, or license reinstatement status. That’s a separate process with its own requirements. 

How Long Updates Usually Take 

For a standard license renewal, you can usually expect a processing time of seven to 10 business days, according to the DOL. More complex matters might take longer. For example, if you need a court order, that can significantly lengthen the time it takes. 

In-Person Options: What to Expect at the DMV 

You may be able to check if your license is suspended at the DMV, but be sure to make an appointment first. If you make an appointment, keep in mind that the DMV only accepts one person per appointment. Also, you will need access to your email address to get a confirmation code for the appointment and your cell phone to check in. 

Common Reasons for License Suspensions 

Generally, you don’t have to worry about getting a driver’s license suspension for a simple speeding ticket or an equipment failure like a broken taillight. 

Washington state driving suspensions are reserved for more serious matters, also known as criminal traffic violations. That can include driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or reckless driving, especially if it results in an accident that causes injury. 

Consequences of Ignoring the Law 

You’re at risk of being penalized if you trigger a hit-and-run accident or get stopped for excessive speeding. An example would be driving 60 miles per hour in a school zone. 

You might also get your license suspended for multiple speeding violations over a short period or if you cause an accident and are found to be driving without auto insurance. 

Yet another clue that suspension is a real possibility is if your driving offense causes your arrest or a phone call to someone to drive you home. 

What Happens If You Drive While Suspended in WA? 

In Washington, driving while suspended is basically telling the state, “I’d like to upgrade my problems, please.” Depending on why you’re suspended, it can be 3rd degree (misdemeanor, up to 90 days jail / $1,000), or 2nd/1st degree (gross misdemeanor, up to 364 days / $5,000), with 1st degree carrying mandatory minimum jail time if you’re a habitual traffic offender. 

WA can also tack on extra time before you’re allowed to drive again, and if you’re arrested, your car may get briefly inducted into Tow Yard University. The drive might be short, but the consequences can be long. 

What if You Ignore the Law? 

If you’re stopped in Washington and found driving on a suspended license, you can be subject to a mandatory jail sentence of at least 10 days. The jail term grows to as many as 180 days for repeat offenses. In addition, your period of suspension will expand, so you’ll be without wheels for even longer. 

On top of everything else, you’ll have the high cost of hiring a lawyer and paying steep fines and court costs. You might even put your job at risk if you miss work for jail time. 

The point is, it’s in your best interest to do all you can to get answers if you even suspect that your license might be suspended in Washington. 

What Happens If Your License Gets Suspended? 

The good news (relatively speaking) is that your license has been suspended, not revoked or canceled. This means that you can get your driving privileges restored in due time. 

The first thing to know is that you have 15 days to appeal the ruling after you receive a suspension notice. If you plan to appeal, you should hire a lawyer who specializes in traffic violation defense. It won’t be cheap, but it might be your best option to avoid losing your driving privileges. Especially if you think you’ve been unfairly charged. 

In Washington, suspensions are for 364 days or less. But keep in mind that your suspension period could be extended for as much as another year if you’re caught driving on a suspended license. 

If your suspension was due to a DUI, you might need an Ignition Interlock Device installed on your car. This is a sort of breathalyzer that won’t let you start your car engine if alcohol is detected. 

Once your suspension period is over, you can legally drive again with SR-22 Insurance. 

Can You Still Drive with a Suspended License? 

If your license was suspended, you can’t drive in Washington. However, if your ability to drive is critical to your livelihood, it’s possible to apply for an Occupational/Restricted License (ORL). Depending on the seriousness of the charge, whether or not you’ve made a conscious effort to improve your driving record, and other factors, you might be given an ORL for use in limited circumstances, such as getting to and from work or taking the kids to school. 

How A Suspended License Affects Your Car Insurance (Hint: SR-22 Time) 

In some cases, if you have specific violations, the Washington state government may require you to prove you have coverage. SR-22 isn’t an insurance policy by itself, but more of a demand to produce proof that you have it.  

Your insurer will tell the state: “Yes, we’re covering this person, please let them back on the road.” The fun part: SR-22s usually have a filing fee, but the real price is the risk-tier glow-up that can make premiums noticeably nastier for a while. 

What Is SR-22 Insurance? 

Getting an SR-22 means you get your license back. An SR-22 is paperwork filed on your behalf that proves you have financial responsibility, usually in the form of liability auto insurance. 

As a motorist whose license has been suspended, you’re considered a higher risk to others when behind the wheel. That’s why you must file proof that you can pay for accidents if you’re at fault. 

Your first step to getting an SR-22 document is to contact an auto insurance agent. Your agent will help you find auto insurance and will then submit the SR-22 paperwork to the state of Washington. 

An independent auto insurance agent will probably be your best option. Instead of working for just a single insurance company, independent agents have contracted with several major insurance carriers and can compare offers to find the best rates available on liability auto insurance. 

Quick Reference Table for Washington Drivers and License Suspensions 

Your Washington driver’s license can be suspended for several different reasons, from unpaid tickets to DUI offenses. 

Below is a quick reference guide explaining common suspension causes and how to fix them. 

Reason	Description	How to Fix It
Unpaid tickets, failure to pay accident damages	Failure to pay traffic fines or appear in court	Pay fines, request hearing, or set up payment plan
DUI, reckless driving, minor in possession	Driving under the influence triggers automatic suspension	Fulfill LSR requirements, SR-22, treatment, fees
Too many traffic tickets (“moving violations”)	Accumulating points can restrict or suspend your license	Defensive driving course, probation, obey traffic laws
Unpaid child support	WA DSHS may suspend licenses for nonpayment	Contact DSHS, set up payment plan
No insurance, violation of license restrictions, treatment reports for chemical dependency	Being in an accident without coverage requires SR-22	Get SR-22 insurance and pay reinstatement fees

License Suspended? Let’s Fix It 

How do you know if your license has been suspended in Washington? One more way is to simply ask your auto insurance agent. Your auto insurer will know as soon as you receive the bad news and can help you start to sort things out immediately. Once your suspension has been lifted, your agent can help you get SR-22 coverage. 

Your independent Vern Fonk Insurance agent can help you every step of the way. Call us at (800) 455-8276 or get a quick quote online. We also encourage you to find a Washington office and agent near you. 

FAQs 

Does Washington Notify You If Your License Is Suspended? 

Usually, the Department of Licensing will send you a snail mail letter about your suspension, but things happen, and mail sometimes doesn’t make it to your home address. If you’re worried that your license has been suspended, you can check your license status online here. 

Can Unpaid Tickets Lead to a Suspension in WA? 

You bet. Also known as “Unresolved Traffic Citations” or UTCs, not showing up for court or paying tickets can cause the judge to inform the DOL that your license should be suspended. Contacting the court is the fastest way to reinstate your license. 

How Long Can a License Suspension Last in Washington? 

Anywhere from a few days if it’s a minor problem or administrative issue to several years in the worst cases. It all depends on the severity of the problem. Things like DUIs generally cause longer or permanent suspensions (also known as revoked licenses). 

What Is the Difference Between a Suspended and Revoked License? 

Theoretically, you can end up with a permanently suspended license (revoked) if you go to prison and are unable to drive by virtue of being in prison. However, even in the case of vehicular homicide, you can still reinstate your license after a waiting period. But the difference is basically one of wording rather than legal ramifications. 

How Much Does It Cost to Reinstate a License in Washington? 

In addition to other licensing fees, you’ll usually need to pay $75 directly to the DOL. This is on top of other costs, but only they can tell you exactly what you’ll need to pay. It also depends on the reason for the suspension.