Washington State uses a point system to track driving violations and determine license suspension
Yes, Washington State has a point system that records violations on your driving record. Every traffic violation you receive — from speeding to running a red light — adds points to your record. When you accumulate too many points within a set time period, the Department of Licensing (DOL) will suspend your license automatically. The system exists to identify unsafe drivers and remove them from the road before a serious crash occurs.
The point values vary by violation type. A minor infraction like speeding 1–5 miles per hour over the limit costs 1 point, while reckless driving costs 4 points. Serious violations like driving under the influence (DUI) or hit-and-run add even more. Points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation, though the suspension itself may last longer.
Understanding how many points you have and how close you are to suspension is essential if you drive in Washington. If you receive a notice from DOL saying you have accumulated too many points, you have limited options to keep your license active, and missing the important date to respond can result in an when ready suspension.
Key Takeaways
- Washington State suspends your license when you reach 12 points within 12 months, 18 points within 24 months, or 24 points within 36 months.
- Each traffic violation adds a specific number of points to your record; minor infractions add 1 point, while serious violations like DUI add 4 points.
- Points remain on your driving record for three years from the violation date, but you can request a hearing to contest the suspension.
- You can reduce points through traffic safety school, but only once every five years and only for moving violations (not criminal offenses).
Point thresholds that trigger automatic license suspension
Washington State uses three separate time windows to measure point accumulation. If you reach the threshold in any of these windows, DOL will send you a notice of suspension. The thresholds are:
- 12 points within 12 months: Your license is suspended for 30 days on your first offense.
- 18 points within 24 months: Your license is suspended for 60 days.
- 24 points within 36 months: Your license is suspended for 90 days.
These windows overlap. A violation from 14 months ago does not count toward the 12-month window, but it still counts toward the 24-month and 36-month windows. This means you can hit multiple thresholds at once. For example, if you have 16 points in the past 24 months and receive a new 3-point violation, you now have 19 points in 24 months (triggering the 18-point threshold) and 25 points in 36 months (triggering the 24-point threshold). DOL will suspend your license for the longest period — 90 days in this case.
The suspension begins 20 days after DOL mails the notice to you, unless you request a hearing before that important date. If you do not respond, the suspension takes effect automatically.
Common violations and their point values
Not all traffic violations carry the same point weight. Washington groups violations into categories based on severity. Here are the most common ones you may encounter:
| Violation Type | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1–5 mph over limit | 1 |
| Speeding 6–10 mph over limit | 2 |
| Speeding 11+ mph over limit | 3 |
| Running a red light or stop sign | 3 |
| Unsafe lane change | 3 |
| Reckless driving | 4 |
| Driving under the influence (DUI) | 4 |
| Hit-and-run | 4 |
| Driving with suspended license | 4 |
Parking violations and non-moving infractions (such as expired registration or broken taillight) do not add points to your driving record. Only moving violations — those that occur while the vehicle is in motion — count toward suspension.
How to check your current point balance
You can view your driving record and current point total through the Washington Department of Licensing website or by visiting a DOL office in person. To check online, go to the DOL website, select "Driving Records," and follow the prompts to order an official record. You will need your driver's license number and date of birth. The record costs a small fee (typically $7 to $10) and arrives by mail within a few business days, though you can view it when ready online after purchase.
Your driving record shows every violation from the past three years, the date it occurred, the point value, and whether the points are still active or have expired. If you see a violation you believe is incorrect, you can dispute it through DOL, but you must act quickly — the window to challenge a violation is limited.
Many insurance companies also provide access to your driving record as part of their policy documents. If you receive a notice from DOL about point accumulation, that notice will also tell you exactly how many points you currently have and which violations contributed to that total.
Reducing points through traffic safety school
Washington State allows you to reduce points on your record by completing a traffic safety school course (also called a defensive driving course). If you complete an approved course, DOL will reduce your point total by one point. However, this option has strict limits:
- You can use traffic safety school only once every five years.
- The violation must be a moving violation; criminal offenses like DUI or reckless driving do not may have access to.
- You must request the course before your suspension takes effect or within a specific window after receiving the notice.
- The course typically costs $25 to $50 and takes 4 to 8 hours to complete, either online or in person.
Traffic safety school does not erase the violation from your record — it only reduces the points by one. So if you received a 3-point speeding ticket and complete the course, your record will show the violation but only 2 points will count toward suspension. This can be enough to keep you below the suspension threshold, but it depends on your total point balance.
You must complete the course and submit proof to DOL before the suspension date. If you wait until after the suspension begins, the course will not prevent it, though it may help you when you reapply for reinstatement.
What happens when your license is suspended for points
A point-based suspension is different from a suspension for unpaid tickets or a criminal conviction. During a point suspension, you cannot legally drive at all — not even to work or medical appointments. Driving on a suspended license is itself a 4-point violation and can result in criminal charges.
The suspension lasts 30, 60, or 90 days depending on which threshold you hit. After the suspension period ends, your license is automatically reinstated — you do not need to reapply or pay a reinstatement fee. However, the violation and points remain on your record for three years.
If you receive another violation before the original points expire, those new points add to the old ones. This is why the three-year window matters: if you stay violation-free for three years, the oldest points drop off and your total resets.
How to request a hearing before suspension takes effect
When DOL mails you a notice of suspension, you have 20 days to request a hearing. At the hearing, you can present evidence that the violation was incorrect, that you were not the driver, or that there are other circumstances DOL should consider. However, the hearing officer cannot straightforward forgive points or lower the threshold — they can only determine whether the violations on your record are accurate.
To request a hearing, follow the instructions on the notice itself. You will typically need to submit a written request to DOL's administrative hearing unit. The hearing may be conducted by phone or in person, depending on DOL's procedures. If you miss the 20-day important date, you lose the right to a hearing and the suspension takes effect automatically.
Requesting a hearing does not stop the suspension from taking effect on the scheduled date unless the hearing officer rules in your favor before that date. In most cases, the hearing occurs after the suspension has already begun.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do points from out-of-state violations count toward my Washington suspension?
Yes. Washington's point system includes violations from other states if they are reported to Washington through the Interstate Compact. A speeding ticket from Oregon or California will add points to your Washington record. However, some states do not report violations to Washington, so not every out-of-state ticket will appear on your record.
Can I get points removed from my record before three years?
Only through traffic safety school, which reduces points by one per course (once every five years). You cannot petition DOL to remove points early. After three years from the violation date, the points automatically expire and no longer count toward suspension, though the violation remains visible on your record.
What if I was not driving when the violation was issued?
You can dispute the violation through DOL's administrative process or contest it in traffic court. If you can prove someone else was driving, the violation should be removed from your record. You must act quickly — the window to challenge a violation is limited, typically 30 days from the citation date.
Does my suspension affect my vehicle registration or insurance?
A point suspension does not automatically cancel your registration or insurance, but driving on a suspended license is illegal. If you are caught, you face criminal charges and additional points. Your insurance company may also drop you or raise your rates if they learn about the suspension.
Can I get a restricted license during my suspension?
No. Point-based suspensions do not allow restricted licenses for work or medical purposes. You must wait out the full suspension period. However, if your suspension is for a different reason (such as unpaid tickets), you may be able to request a restricted license through DOL.