Habitual Traffic Offender License Revocation FAQ

Straightforward answers to the questions that come up most about habitual traffic offender status in Washington. Every case is different — these are general answers, not legal advice for your specific situation.

Three or more qualifying convictions within a 5-year period — including DUI, reckless driving, hit and run, driving while license suspended in the second degree, vehicular homicide or assault, and a few others — or 20 or more moving violations within 5 years (RCW 46.65.020).

Seven years under Washington law (RCW 46.65.060) — noticeably longer than a lot of people expect. Worth double-checking against the actual statute if you’ve seen a shorter number somewhere, since this is an area where even official sources aren’t always consistent.

You may be able to petition for early restoration after 4 years (RCW 46.65.080). In some cases, a stay may also be available if the underlying offenses were connected to alcoholism or substance dependency and you’re engaged in treatment — this is worth raising with an attorney directly, since it depends heavily on your specific circumstances.

No. This is one of the suspension types where no restricted driving privilege — neither an Occupational/Restricted License nor an Ignition Interlock License — is available at all during the revocation period.

Habitual traffic offender status is what triggers the more serious first-degree version of driving while license revoked, which carries mandatory jail time. If you’re facing a driving-while-suspended or driving-while-revoked charge, see our pages on DWLS charges in Kittitas County and DWLS defense in Yakima for more on how these charges are handled.

Call (509) 293-7593 for a free consultation about habitual traffic offender status in Ellensburg, Yakima, or the surrounding area. See our page on other types of license suspensions for more detail on related situations.