Traffic Violation Punishments In Washington

By Author: Augustine Joseph
Total Articles: 16
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Suspension and Revocation are the two terms most associated with loss of driving privileges.
License Suspension:
It is only a temporary loss of your driving privilege. You may resume your driving again once all license reinstatement requirements have been fulfilled.
License Revocation:
It’s the termination of your WA driver’s license. Once the revocation period has ended, and when all your reinstatement requirements have been met, you may re-apply for a new driver’s license. Let see below what will happen if one violates the traffic rules & regulations.
What to be done when you get a Ticket:
When you are given a traffic citation by law enforcement, the ticket is processed not by the DOL, but by the court in the jurisdiction where you were pulled over. You will usually have two choice of either paying a fine or appearing in court on the date and time listed on the ticket.
But if you neither pay the fine by the deadline nor appear in court to plead guilty or innocent, the judge might issue a bench warrant for your arrest on the charge of failure to appear. Paying the fine is ...
... the easiest way to go, it means that you plead guilty to the charge of the citation, which will then appear on your driving record.
If you’ve already had a number of tickets and are at risk for having your license suspended, you might choose to fight the ticket in court. A traffic ticket attorney can help you with your case if you wish.
Penalties for Too Many Traffic Tickets:
1. Suspended License:
Washington’s Department of Licensing (DOL) will suspend your driver’s license for 60 days if you get ticketed for six traffic violations in a period of 12-months.
2. Probation:
You’ll be placed on probation for one year if you are,
*Ticketed for four moving violations in a period of 12-month span.
*Ticketed for five moving violations in a period of 24-months.
Also during probation, your license will be suspended for 30 days if you’re ticketed with two more extra traffic violations.
When it comes to reinstate your license following your suspension, you’ll be placed on another year of probation. If you’re cited for one traffic violation during this second probation your driver’s license will be suspended for,
*60 days for a second suspension.
*120 days for a third suspension.
*364 days for a fourth or subsequent suspension.
3. Single Violations:
These single violations which could cause suspension or revocation will make you lose your driving privileges if convicted of any of the following violations:
*Attempting to elude a police vehicle.
*Reckless driving.
*Racing,
*Vehicular assault,
*Vehicular homicide,
*Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
*Leaving the scene of an accident in which you were involved, without identifying yourself.
*When involved in an accident without carrying car insurance.
There are also many non-traffic violations that can lead to the suspension or revocation of your WA driver’s license.
Penalties for Young Drivers Less Than 21:
If you’re between the ages of 13 and 17 and if you are convicted of a first alcohol or firearm violation, or between the ages of 13 and 20 and convicted of a first drug violation, then your penalty is, your Washington driving privileges will be revoked for one year or until you turn 17, whichever is longer.
Penalties for Washington Commercial Drivers:
Being a commercial driver, you must
*Notify your employer within 30 days of traffic violation conviction, regardless of vehicle you were operating.
*Notify the DOL within 30 days of any out-of-state traffic convictions.
*Notify your employer within two days if your CDL is suspended, revoked or cancelled.
Serious Offenses:
Few serious violations include:
*Speeding 15 mph or above, which is over the posted speed limit.
*Reckless driving.
*Improper lane changes.
*Following a vehicle too closely.
*Driving a CMV without holding a CDL.
*Driving a CMV without having your CDL in your possession.
*Driving a CMV without the proper CDL endorsement.
*Violating a state law of texting while driving.
CDL Disqualifications:
Your CDL will be disqualified from anywhere for 180 days to one year for the following convictions:
*Violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting nonhazardous materials.
*Violating a driver or vehicle out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded, or while driving a vehicle designed to transport 16 or more passengers.