Washington State DUI Administrative Penalties

90-Day License Suspension
(BAC .08 or higher, no prior DUI administrative suspensions)
Your license is suspended for 90 days. You may be eligible to apply for an ignition interlock license, but the DOL will not issue the license unless the vehicle you drive is equipped with an ignition interlock device. In addition, you must also file "proof of financial responsibility" (SR–22 insurance) with the DOL as a prerequisite to the issuance of an ignition interlock license. SR–22 insurance is required for three years following reinstatement of the license.

One Year License Revocation
(Refusal to take breath test, no prior DUI administrative suspensions)
Your license is suspended for one year if you refused to take the breath test. You may be eligible to apply for an ignition interlock license, but the DOL will not issue the license unless the vehicle you drive is equipped with an ignition interlock device. In addition, you must also file "proof of financial responsibility" (SR–22 insurance) with the DOL as a prerequisite to the issuance of an ignition interlock license. SR–22 insurance is required for three years following reinstatement of the license.

Two Year License Suspension
(Second administrative suspension within seven years)
Your license is revoked for two years. However, you are eligible for an ignition interlock license. The DOL will not issue the license unless the vehicle you drive is equipped with an ignition interlock device. In addition, you must also file "proof of financial responsibility" (SR–22 insurance) with the DOL as a prerequisite to the issuance of the ignition interlock license. SR–22 insurance is required for three years following reinstatement. Further, to fully reinstate the license, you will need to retake the driver's test and pay a reinstatement fee.

SR–22 or "high risk" insurance is required for drivers who (by statute) pose a high risk to the safety of the community. Premiums are typically much higher than standard insurance. You will be required to obtain this more expensive insurance for a period of three years following a DUI conviction. You must also have SR–22 insurance if you suffer an administrative suspension of the license at the hands of DOL, even if you are acquitted of the DUI charge.

A specially marked probationary license is issued to you after you have served your DUI related suspension or revocation.

A Seattle or Washington State DUI results in two ways your license can be suspended -- administratively by the DOL and independent of that, as the result of a conviction for a Washington State DUI. Thus, it is critical to focus the resources of your DUI defense upon these two venues in order to save your license.

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