Washington's Traffic Violation System Explained: How to Avoid a Suspension

Many drivers are familiar with a "point system," where each traffic ticket adds points to your record, and accumulating too many points leads to a license suspension. However, the state of Washington handles things differently. Washington does not use a demerit point system.

Instead, the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) tracks the number and type of convictions you accumulate over time. Understanding this conviction-based system is crucial for every driver. It helps you recognize the serious consequences of traffic tickets and motivates you to maintain a clean record from day one.

How Washington Tracks Traffic Violations

The Washington DOL maintains a complete driving record for every licensed driver. When you are found guilty of a moving violation, that conviction is added to your record. The DOL's primary goal is to identify drivers who show a pattern of unsafe behavior and intervene before they cause a serious accident.

The consequences are not based on adding up points, but on reaching a certain number of convictions within a specific timeframe.

The Consequences of Accumulating Violations

The DOL will take action once your driving record hits specific thresholds. The penalties are progressive, becoming more severe with each additional offense.

The Key Thresholds for License Suspension:

• 6 moving violations within a 12-month period: This will trigger a 30-day license suspension.
• 7 moving violations within a 24-month period: This will trigger a license suspension.

If your license is suspended, you will receive a notice from the DOL. You will have the right to request an administrative hearing to contest the suspension. If you do not request a hearing, or if the suspension is upheld, you must not drive during the suspension period. Driving with a suspended license is a serious criminal offense.

Probationary Periods

After certain suspensions, your license may be placed on probation for a period of time. Any moving violation committed during this probationary period can result in an additional, longer suspension.

Serious Offenses and Habitual Traffic Offenders (HTO)

Beyond the standard system, certain major traffic violations can lead to immediate and lengthy suspensions on their own, regardless of your prior record. These include:

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs.
• Reckless Driving.
• Leaving the scene of an accident (Hit and Run).
• Vehicular Assault or Vehicular Homicide.

A driver who accumulates a combination of these major offenses, or a total of 20 or more of any moving violations within a five-year period, can be declared a Habitual Traffic Offender (HTO). This results in a seven-year revocation of their driving privileges, a very severe penalty.

How to Keep Your Record Clean

• Drive Defensively: The absolute best strategy is prevention. Obeying speed limits, avoiding distractions, and always being aware of your surroundings is the only way to guarantee a clean record.
• Address Tickets Promptly: Never ignore a traffic ticket. Failing to respond or pay a fine will lead to a "Failure to Appear" (FTA) suspension of your license.
• Deferral Options: For some minor infractions, you may be eligible for a "deferred finding." This means if you pay an administrative fee and do not get any other tickets for a set period (usually a year), the original ticket will be dismissed and will not appear on your driving record. You are typically only allowed to do this once every seven years.

While Washington may not have a "point system," the consequences of repeated traffic violations are just as severe. By understanding how the conviction-based system works, you can take the necessary steps to protect your driving record and ensure you keep your driving privilege.