What you need to do to get your Washington license back
To reinstate your Washington driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended or revoked — the reason determines what you have to do and how much it costs. Washington's Department of Licensing (DOL) suspends licenses for unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid court fines, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points, or failure to appear in court. Each reason has its own reinstatement path, and you cannot straightforward pay a fee and drive again.
The first step is to contact the DOL or check your status online to learn the specific reason for suspension. Once you know that, you will need to resolve the underlying issue — pay fines, complete a DUI program, or satisfy a court order — before the DOL will consider reinstatement. Only after that is done can you pay the reinstatement fee and, in some cases, pass a new test.
Key Takeaways
- Your license suspension reason determines what you must do to get it back; the DOL website or a phone call will tell you the exact reason.
- Most suspensions require you to resolve the underlying issue — pay fines, complete a DUI course, or satisfy a court order — before paying any reinstatement fee.
- Washington's reinstatement fee is $100 for most suspensions, but some DUI-related reinstatements cost more and require an ignition interlock device.
- After you resolve the issue and pay the fee, the DOL processes your reinstatement within one to two business days in most cases.
- If your license was suspended for accumulating points, you may need to pass a written test or driving test before reinstatement.
How to find out why your license was suspended
Before you can fix the problem, you need to know what caused the suspension. The DOL maintains your driving record and the reason for any suspension on file. You can check this online through the DOL's website by logging into your account, or you can call the DOL at 1-360-902-3900 to speak with someone who can tell you when ready.
When you contact the DOL, have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. They will tell you the exact reason — for example, "suspension for unpaid traffic fine" or "suspension for failure to appear" — and what you must do to clear it. Write down the reason and any case or ticket numbers they give you, because you will need this information when you take the next step.
Resolving the issue that caused your suspension
The action you take depends on the reason for suspension. If your license was suspended for an unpaid traffic fine or court-ordered fine, you must pay that fine in full. Contact the court listed on your ticket or the collection agency handling the debt. If you cannot pay the full amount, some courts offer payment plans; call the court directly to ask.
If your suspension is related to a DUI conviction, you must complete a DUI treatment program approved by Washington State before reinstatement is possible. The court will have ordered this program, and you will receive information about approved providers. Completion typically takes several weeks to several months depending on the program level.
If your suspension resulted from accumulating too many points on your driving record, you may need to pass a written knowledge test or a driving test before reinstatement. The DOL will tell you which test applies to your situation when you contact them. You can study for the written test using the Washington Driver Guide, available free on the DOL website.
If your suspension was for failure to appear in court, you must resolve the underlying case — usually by appearing in court or paying the fine — before the DOL will reinstate your license. Contact the court that issued the suspension to learn what is required.
Paying the reinstatement fee and submitting your request
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, you can pay the reinstatement fee and request reinstatement. Washington's standard reinstatement fee is $100. However, if your suspension was related to a DUI, the fee may be higher, and you may be required to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle before you can drive.
You can pay the reinstatement fee and submit your request online through the DOL website, by mail, or in person at a DOL office. Online is the fastest option — you can complete it in minutes and receive confirmation when ready. If you pay by mail, include a check or money order for $100, your driver's license number, and a letter stating that you have resolved the issue causing the suspension. Mail it to the address listed on the DOL website.
If you are paying in person, bring your identification and payment to any DOL office. You can find office locations and hours on the DOL website. Bring proof that you have resolved the underlying issue — a receipt showing the fine was paid, a certificate of completion from a DUI program, or a court document confirming the case was resolved.
DUI-related reinstatement and ignition interlock requirements
If your license was suspended due to a DUI conviction, reinstatement involves additional steps and costs. You must complete an approved DUI treatment program, and depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be required to install an ignition interlock device (IID) on your vehicle. An IID prevents your car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath.
The court will specify whether an IID is required as part of your sentence. If it is, you must have the device installed before you can drive, even after paying the reinstatement fee. The cost of installation and monthly monitoring typically ranges from $60 to $150 per month, depending on the provider. Washington has a list of approved IID vendors on the DOL website.
After you have completed the DUI program and installed the IID (if required), you can pay the reinstatement fee — which for DUI suspensions is often higher than the standard $100 — and submit your reinstatement request. The DOL will verify that you have completed the program before processing your reinstatement.
What happens after you submit your reinstatement request
Once the DOL receives your reinstatement request and payment, they will review your file to confirm that the underlying issue has been resolved. This typically takes one to two business days. If everything is in order, your license will be reinstated and you will receive confirmation by email or mail, depending on how you submitted your request.
If you submitted your request online, you may see your status update on the DOL website within hours. If you submitted by mail or in person, allow five to seven business days for processing and notification. During this time, you should not drive — your license remains suspended until the DOL officially reinstates it.
If the DOL finds that the underlying issue has not been fully resolved, they will contact you to explain what is still needed. This might mean the fine was not fully paid, the DUI program was not completed, or the court case was not closed. Address whatever is missing and resubmit your request.
Reinstating a license suspended for points accumulation
Washington uses a points system: traffic violations add points to your record, and if you accumulate too many points in a certain time period, your license is suspended. The threshold depends on your age and driving history. If your suspension is for points accumulation, you cannot straightforward pay a fee to get your license back — you must wait out a suspension period and often pass a test.
The DOL will tell you how long your suspension lasts when you contact them. Suspension periods typically range from 30 days to one year, depending on how many points you accumulated and how quickly. After the suspension period ends, you may be required to pass a written knowledge test or a driving test before reinstatement. The DOL will specify which test you need.
If a test is required, you can schedule it through the DOL website or by calling their office. Study materials for the written test are free on the DOL website. Once you pass the test, you can pay the $100 reinstatement fee and your license will be restored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the DOL officially reinstates it. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines and criminal charges. Wait for confirmation from the DOL before you drive.
What if I cannot afford to pay the fine or the reinstatement fee?
Contact the court that issued the fine to ask about payment plans or hardship waivers. Some courts will work with you to set up installments. For the reinstatement fee, the DOL does not offer payment plans, but you can ask if any fee waivers are available based on financial hardship.
Do I need to take a driving test to get my license back?
Only if your suspension was for points accumulation or if the DOL specifically requires it as part of your reinstatement. For most other suspensions — unpaid fines, failure to appear, or DUI — you do not need to retake the driving test, though you may need to pass a written knowledge test.
How long does reinstatement take after I resolve the issue?
If you submit your request online, the DOL typically processes it within one to two business days. If you submit by mail, allow five to seven business days. During this time, your license remains suspended, so do not drive.
What if my license was suspended for a reason I do not understand?
Call the DOL at 1-360-902-3900 and ask them to explain the suspension in detail. They can tell you the specific violation, ticket number, or court case that led to the suspension. If you believe the suspension was made in error, ask about the process to dispute it.