Washington Driving Records

At some point, nearly every driver will need to obtain their driving record, whether for a job application, to secure insurance, or to address a legal matter. However, it is more than a list of past infractions: it's a comprehensive snapshot of your driving history, detailing license statuses, endorsements, and other pertinent information.

Each state in the U.S., including Washington, maintains its own system for managing driving records. Understanding how these records are maintained and accessed in Washington is essential for residents, as it may help them navigate the potential impacts with greater confidence.

What Is a Washington Driving Record?

A Washington driving record is a formal summary of a person's activity as a licensed driver in the state. This document is also officially referred to as an abstract of driving record (ADR), issued by the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL).

What Is The Difference Between Official Driving Records and Public Driving Records?

Washington driving records are available both through the state and from third-party providers. The official and certified version is only issued by the DOL. Because it comes directly from the state, this record is generally accepted for legal matters, employment screenings, and insurance evaluations.

Third-party companies, like RecordsFinder, also offer access to driving records by aggregating data from public sources. These services are designed to be a convenient and fast option for individuals who want to quickly check their own driving history or conduct informal background reviews.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

There are many situations in Washington where having access to your driving record may be important.

One of the most common reasons is employment. If you are applying for a job that involves driving, such as a delivery driver or transit operator, employers will often review your driving history to assess your reliability and safety.

Insurance companies frequently use driver records to determine your risk profile and set your premiums. Reviewing your own record may help you understand why your rates are what they are, and it gives you the chance to catch and correct any errors.

Courts may request a copy of your record to help resolve traffic-related cases, confirm the status of your license, or verify compliance with legal obligations.

If you're pursuing a commercial driver's license (CDL) or an enhanced driver's license in Washington, you will likely be required to show that your driving history meets the state's qualifications.

Additionally, certified alcohol or drug treatment programs may request a driving record as part of a referral or assessment process. These records generally help evaluate a person's history of DUI offenses or related suspensions.

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

The following information is typically included in a Washington driver report:

• Driver's license number, class, and issue/expiration dates
• Recorded moving violations and convictions
• Motor vehicle accidents and collision reports
• License suspensions, revocations, and disqualifications
• Deferred prosecutions and failure-to-appear notices
• Endorsements and restriction

Types of Driver Records Available in Washington

Different types of Washington driving records are available, and they vary in accessibility and detail.

The full abstract of driving record (ADR) is the most comprehensive and is only available to the driver, legal representatives, courts, law enforcement agencies, and certain government entities. It includes a full history of the driver's violations, convictions, accidents, suspensions, and any other legal actions.

Limited-purpose records, on the other hand, provide a more focused set of information for specific uses. The insurance abstract is one such record. It offers a three-year history of the driver's violations, accidents, and license suspensions, helping insurers assess risk and set appropriate premiums.

Another limited-purpose record is the employment abstract. This record summarizes the driver's history, highlighting any violations or accidents, so employers may evaluate the applicant's driving safety.

Finally, the alcohol and drug treatment abstract is available to certified treatment agencies. It contains details about alcohol and drug-related offenses, including any suspensions, revocations, or ignition interlock device requirements, covering a period of up to five years.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in Washington

Traffic violations and tickets in Washington are regulated under Title 46 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). It sets the standards for how traffic offenses are categorized, cited, and handled by the legal system.

When a driver receives a traffic ticket, it is usually issued by a law enforcement officer using a standardized citation form. Most traffic violations are categorized as civil infractions rather than criminal offenses, which allows the system to prioritize corrective actions over punitive measures.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are generally divided into moving and non-moving offenses in Washington. Some of the most common violations in the state include:

• Speeding (RCW 46.61.400)
• Running a red light (RCW 46.61.055)
• Illegal U-turn (RCW 46.61.295)
• Driving Under the Influence or DUI (RCW 46.61.502)
• Failure to yield (RCW 46.61.190)
• Tailgating (RCW 46.61.145)
• Failure to signal (RCW 46.61.305)
• Expired vehicle registration (RCW 46.16A.030)
• Parking violations (WAC 174-116-280 and local ordinances)

What To Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

Anyone who receives a traffic infraction notice in Washington is legally required to respond within 30 days of the issue date. Failing to take action within that timeframe may lead to a failure-to-respond fee, referral to collections, and potentially the suspension of your driver's license.

Fortunately, the state offers manageable options to resolve your ticket, whether you decide to pay the fine, request leniency, or formally contest the charge in court.

Pay the Ticket

Most district and municipal courts, like King County and Seattle Municipal Court, offer online payment portals where you may enter your citation number or license plate information to complete the process. You may also pay by phone, mail, or in person at the courthouse listed on your citation.

Request a Mitigation or Referral

If you admit to the infraction but want to explain the circumstances or ask for a reduced fine, you may request a mitigation hearing. During a mitigation hearing, you may present your case, and the judge may choose to lower your fine based on your explanation. Some courts also offer deferral programs.

Contest the Ticket

To dispute a citation, you must request a contested hearing within 30 days of receiving the ticket. You may submit your hearing request online through your court's website or in writing if required. After your request is received, the court will schedule a hearing date. If the judge rules in your favor, the ticket will be dismissed, and no fine or points will be added to your record.

Recover a Lost Ticket

If you misplace your traffic citation, you may still take action by retrieving the details through your local court. Most courts have an online lookup tool that allows you to search for your case using your name, driver's license number, or vehicle plate number. Alternatively, you may call or visit the court clerk's office where the citation was issued.

How Does the Washington Point System Work?

Washington does not use a traditional point system to track driving violations. Instead, it follows a violation-based system, where each moving violation is recorded directly on a driver's report. When a driver is convicted of a moving violation, the court reports the conviction to the DOL (Department of Licensing).

Washington categorizes violations into "occasions", which refer to individual traffic stops. If a driver is convicted of a moving violation on three separate occasions within 12 months, or on four separate occasions within 24 months, the DOL will suspend the driver's license for 60 days.

After the suspension ends, the driver enters a one-year probation period. During this probation, any new qualifying ticket will result in an additional 30-day suspension, served consecutively to any existing suspensions.

How Long Do Violations Stay on Your Driving History

The length of time a driving offense stays on a Washington driving record depends on the nature of the violation or incident. Most routine traffic convictions or infractions are kept on file for five years from the date of conviction or adjudication.

Collision records are retained based on vehicle type. For non-commercial vehicles, accidents stay on the driving history for five years from the date of the crash. For commercial drivers, that period extends to ten years.

If a driver fails to respond to or appear for a traffic citation, the resulting failure-to-appear (FTA) notice remains active on the record until resolved, or for up to ten years from when the court first reported it, whichever happens first.

Some violations never disappear. Alcohol-related offenses, along with convictions for vehicular assault or vehicular homicide, are recorded for life. The same lifelong retention applies to entries related to deferred prosecution.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

In Washington State, traffic violations and driving-related convictions typically cannot be erased from a driver's record through a general expungement process. Instead, there are a few specific legal pathways that may help remove or limit the visibility of certain offenses.

For some misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor convictions, it may be possible to request a court to vacate the offense under RCW 9.94A.640. The court may withdraw the guilty finding, dismiss the charge, and remove it from the public criminal record. However, not all offenses qualify. Serious traffic crimes like DUI are not eligible for vacation.

In adult criminal cases, court records may sometimes be sealed under Washington's General Rule 15, though this does not remove the conviction itself. Juvenile records, however, may be sealed under RCW 13.50.260.

If an arrest did not lead to a conviction, RCW 10.97.060 allows individuals to request the deletion of that "non-conviction data" from police records. Typically, there is a two-year waiting period before such a request may be made.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

Washington State drivers have three ways to obtain their ADR (abstract of driving record):

• Online: You may purchase your own driving history instantly by logging into or creating a License eXpress account on the DOL (Department of Licensing) website.

• By mail: If you prefer a paper request, you may complete a Driving Record Request form and mail it to the DOL at:

  P.O. Box 3907

  Seattle, WA 98124-3907

• In person: Another option is to visit a local driver's licensing office. You may ask for a copy of your record by showing valid identification.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in Washington?

The fee to request a driving record in Washington is $15, no matter which method you use.

If you order it online, you may view and download your record immediately, and it will remain accessible for up to 30 days. Mail requests typically take about 10 business days to process. If you choose to go in person to a licensing office, your request will be handled on the spot, and you'll receive a printed copy right away.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free

Washington drivers may check certain aspects of their license status at no cost, even though a complete driving record is not available for free.

The DOL offers a free driver license status tool that allows you to confirm whether your license is valid, suspended, expired, or revoked.

Local court websites also sometimes provide free online access to traffic ticket information.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

A "bad" driving record in Washington typically means a history filled with multiple violations. Moving violations are more severe and may lead to suspensions or other penalties.

On the other hand, non-moving violations, like parking tickets, do not show up on your ADR (abstract of driving record) but may still cause issues, such as blocking your vehicle registration renewal if left unpaid.

For drivers convicted of DUI or other serious offenses, an ignition interlock device may be required before they can drive again. This device, which prevents a vehicle from starting if the driver has alcohol on their breath, is mandated after any DUI conviction and in many reckless driving cases.

Furthermore, drivers with a DUI or major traffic offense must file SR-22 insurance for three years after their license is reinstated. There are also fees associated with the reinstatement process, along with any outstanding licensing fees.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

A poor driving record may have significant impacts on both insurance premiums and employment opportunities.

Drivers with violations like speeding tickets or DUIs may see their premiums increase as insurers consider them higher risk. For example, a single speeding ticket could lead to a 20-30% increase in rates for up to three years, while more severe violations like DUIs may result in a 40-70% rise.

Employers also frequently check an applicant's driving record after a conditional job offer. A history of violations or accidents may lead employers to rescind job offers or impose probationary terms. Employees with a poor driving history may face restrictions on their driving privileges, be reassigned to non-driving duties, or even have their employment terminated in extreme cases.

Who Can Access Your Washington Driving History?

Washington law (RCW 46.52.130) and the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) of 1994 work together to protect personal information in motor vehicle records. These laws restrict the release of your personal details unless you give explicit consent.

However, certain individuals and organizations are allowed to request your driving history report under specific circumstances:

• You: As the individual named on the record, you have the right to access your own driving history.
• Employers and Prospective Employers: Employers may request your ADR (abstract of driving record), particularly if the role involves driving responsibilities, but they must first obtain your consent.
• Insurance Providers: Insurance companies may access your ADR to assess your risk profile and determine your premiums.
• Law Enforcement: Police and other law enforcement agencies may access your ADR during traffic stops or investigations.
• Courts and Legal Authorities: Courts, prosecutors, and other legal entities may request your ADR for legal purposes, such as during trials or hearings.
• Government Agencies: Various state and local government agencies may access your ADR for regulatory or official functions.

FAQs About Washington Driving Records

Below are some key answers to common inquiries about Washington driving records.

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