Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I request a certified driver’s record online?
- Yes. Residents of Washington State can take just a few minutes to order their personal driving records online, or those of their employees. However, when requesting the record of another person that is not an employee, you must apply by mail. The address is as follows:
Driver Records Department of Licensing PO Box 3907 Seattle, WA 98124-3907
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- Do I need to attend traffic school if I get a speeding ticket?
- The state of Washington does not allow drivers to dismiss WA traffic ticket fines. They may only defer these citations to stop them from going on their driving record if they take a defensive driving course. This can only be done if the offense was a minor moving violation and if the driver has no other pending citations. Enrollment is not mandatory, unless a court mandates it.
For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Washington
- How can I pay for my traffic or parking ticket?
- The options available to pay traffic tickets in Washington will vary depending on where you received the citation. Depending on the county where the ticket was issued, you may be able to pay the bill online, by phone, by mail or in person at the court.
For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Washington
- How do I file a complaint when I believe someone has illegally accessed my DMV record?
- If you think that someone has accessed your drivers record illegally, contact the Department of Licensing at their Driver Licensing customer service line: (360) 902-3900. Their hours are from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Thursday, when they open at 9 a.m.
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- How do I get a copy of my driving record?
- There are a number of ways that a driver in Washington can obtain their WA driving record, including going in person to a local licensing office and sending an application by mail with a check or money order to the DOL. Of all these ways, the most efficient is to purchase a copy online.
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- How do I get a traffic ticket dismissed?
- Drivers who have committed a driving violation and are being asked to pay traffic citations do not have the option of dismissing the ticket. They can, however, defer the citation by enrolling in a traffic course if they only committed a minor moving violation and have no other pending tickets.
For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Washington
- How do I obtain a copy of someone else’s driving record?
- There is only one way to obtain a DMV driving record of another individual, and that is by mailing in your request and payment to the following address:
Driver Records Department of Licensing PO Box 3907 Seattle, WA 98124-3907
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- How do I reinstate my license if I refused to submit a breath/urine/blood test?
- In order to reinstate suspended drivers license credentials after refusing a breath/blood test, drivers must go through the same process as all other suspended DUI drivers. The details of the penalties (fines, jail time, etc.) will vary based on the number and severity of the offense, but vehicle owners who choose to refuse testing can expect to add on year to their suspension just for not abiding by the Implied Consent law.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington
- How do I remove points from my driver’s license?
- The Washington Department of Licensing does not use the standard driving violation point system. Thus, the traditional points will not be put on your driving license. However, the violations will still be noted on your driving record, and accruing too many in a given period of time will result in a suspended drivers license.
For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Washington
- How many points can I get on my driving record before my driver’s license is suspended?
- The Washington Department of Licensing does not employ the standard DMV point system. Thus, no points will be put on your record during a drivers license suspension. However, all violations and infractions that a driver commits will still be put in their WA driving record.
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- How many times can I attend a traffic school course to remove points from my driving record?
- The WA DOL does not use the DMV point system. It simply puts the violations in your driving record, which can lead to a drivers license suspension. Additionally, the DOL does not dismiss traffic tickets, but these citations can be deferred by taking a defensive driving course so that the traffic court never informs the DOL of an offense, thus stopping violations from going on your record. Typically, these courses can only be taken if a driver has not taken a course in the last 12 to 18 months.
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- If I lost my traffic or parking ticket, how can I find the information again?
- In the event a driver loses their citation and is not able to pay, they are encouraged to contact the court in the county where the ticket was received. By providing their vehicle s description and the date of the transgression, a representative will be able to resolve the issue, allowing the driver to pay applicable WA traffic fines.
For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Washington
- If my driver’s license was confiscated at the time of my DUI/DWI arrest, how do I get it back?
- If you are convicted of driving under the influence in WA, you will have to go through the process of reinstating the license before you can drive.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington
- What are the different types of driving records?
- The various driver records that you can access from the WA Department of Licensing are as follows:
- Complete records
- Employment records
- Volunteer vanpool record
- Volunteer for organization record
- School bus record
- Three-year life insurance abstract
- Three-year noncommercial insurance abstract
- Three-year commercial insurance abstract
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- What are the penalties of being convicted of driving under the influence?
- The punishments associated with receiving a DWI citation vary depending on the severity and number of the offense. Penalties can include any or all of the following:
- Fines and reinstatement fees
- Jail/parole time
- Community service time
- Alcohol education classes
- Ignition interlock device installment
- SR22 insurance filing
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington
- What happens if I get traffic ticket fines and I have a CDL?
- Commercial drivers in the state of Washington are required to notify their employers of any traffic violation conviction within thirty days. The DOL must be notified within the same timeframe when it comes to violations that occurred out-of-state. In addition, if the traffic fines incurred also result in CDL suspension, the employer must be notified within the next business day.
For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Washington
- What information does a driving record contain?
- WA DMV driving records contain a wide array of information, including:
- Alcohol-related convictions.
- Failures to appear in court or pay a ticket.
- Past collisions.
- Vehicular assault and homicide convictions.
- CDL drivers convictions.
- Deferred prosecutions.
- Suspensions.
- Revocations.
- Disqualifications.
- Most other convictions and driving violations.
All of these pieces of information areonly present on driving records for a certain period of time, with the more serious convictions (alcohol and homicide) being present for longer than the less serious issues (suspensions).
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- What is considered the legal alcohol limit?
- The legal alcohol limit in the state of Washington varies based on the age and profession of the driver. The WA DUI breakdown is as follows:
- If you are under 21: 0.02 percent BAC
- If you are 21 or over: 0.08 percent BAC
- If you are a CDL driver: 0.04 percent BAC
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington
- What is the cost of a DUI?
- The cost of WA DUI citations vary based on the number of the offense and its severity. In addition, the more times one is caught driving while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, the more they will be fined. Fines in Washington range from $865.50 to $5,000 on a first offense.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington
- What is the cost of a traffic ticket?
- Traffic ticket price in Washington varies depending on the severity of the violation committed. A charge of driving under the influence, for example, will cost you substantially more than a minor speeding ticket or parking citation.
For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Washington
- What is the cost to get a driver record?
- The fee to purchase a drivers record with the Washington Department of Licensing is $13. However, it is important to keep in mind that fees may vary from time to time and can be more slightly expensive when you purchase online.
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- What is the DUI penalty for a CDL driver?
- CDL drivers convicted of driving under the influence in WA will have their CDL license disqualified for one year. If the conviction comes when they are transporting hazardous materials, the suspension extends to three years. In addition, if they are convicted of a second offense, these drivers will receive a lifetime disqualification.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington
- What is the DUI penalty for a minor?
- After a DUI ticket in Washington, the minor will have their drivers license suspended or revoked for 90 days or until he or she turns 16, whichever comes later. Second offenses result in a one-year suspension or a suspension that lasts until the defendant becomes 17.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington
- What must I do to reinstate my driver’s license as a result of a DUI/DWI?
- The process for reinstating a drivers license after a DUI is simple. Just follow the steps below:
- Wait for the suspension/revocation period to end.
- Take an alcohol awareness course.
- Retake knowledge and driving exams, if the suspension was at least one year long.
- File for SR22 insurance.
- Pay the reissue fee of $150 at a local licensing office, as well as any other fines.
While the steps above are a basic outline of the process, there are slight variations from case to case. DUI-convicted drivers under 16, for instance, must install an ignition interlock device to drive for the first 60 days after reinstatement.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington
- Where can I find more information about an ignition interlock device?
- Drivers who are charged with a DUI in Washington may be required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicle after their reinstatement. Others may choose to request an Ignition Interlock Driver License during their suspension period to give themselves some driving privileges during this time. To learn more about ignition interlock, visit the Department of Licensing Ignition Interlock Driver License page
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington
- Where can I find my traffic or parking ticket information online?
- Since only certain counties will offer drivers the opportunity to pay traffic tickets online, the option for finding ticket information on your digital device depends on whether or not you live in a county that employs this technology. If your county does not allow online payment, simply call the court and request the necessary information.
For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Washington
- Why doesn’t a recent traffic ticket I received appear on my driving record?
- When checking driving record documentation, one should not be surprised if some information is missing. It takes time for the Department of Licensing to be informed by the court system and more time for the DOL to log this information in your record.
For more information: Your Washington Driving Record
- Will I have points against my driver’s license if I get a ticket?
- The state of Washington does not employ the typical point system for driving violations. However, violations and traffic fineswill still go on your driving record when you break the rules of the road. Similar to the points system, too many violations in a given period of time will result in drivers license suspension.
For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in Washington
- Will I have to take an alcohol awareness class to reinstate my driver’s license?
- Yes. All residents of the state of Washington who have been convicted of driving under the influence must take a reinstatement course focusing on alcohol education. The courses that are offered will vary by county in the greater Washington area, but each class will cover the dangers of DUIs and how to avoid illegal behaviors in the future.
For more information: DUI/DWI Information for Washington