Unresolved Traffic Citations License Suspension FAQ
Straightforward answers to the questions that come up most about license suspensions from unresolved traffic citations in Washington. Every case is different — these are general answers, not legal advice for your specific situation.
Why would my license get suspended just for an unpaid ticket?
If you don’t respond to, appear for, or otherwise resolve a traffic citation, the court reports that to the Department of Licensing, which suspends your license until the court confirms it’s been resolved (RCW 46.20.289). This is one of the most common license suspension types — and one of the most fixable.
How long does this kind of suspension last?
Indefinitely — there’s no fixed end date. It stays in place until the court reports back to DOL that the underlying citation has been resolved, which means it’s entirely on you (or your attorney) to deal with the original ticket.
Can I still get a restricted license while my license is suspended for this reason?
Yes, an Occupational/Restricted License is generally available for this type of suspension (RCW 46.20.391).
How much does it cost to get my license back after this kind of suspension?
The reissue fee is $170 if the original citation was alcohol- or drug-related, or $75 for other citations (RCW 46.20.311).
I've been charged with driving while license suspended (DWLS) and I think it's because of an old ticket -- what should I do?
This is a very common pattern, and it’s exactly the scenario our page on DWLS-3 charges in Kittitas County covers — clearing up the underlying suspension by resolving the old citation is often the key move toward getting the driving-while-suspended charge dismissed.
Talk to an Attorney
Call (509) 293-7593 for a free consultation about a license suspension from an unresolved traffic citation in Ellensburg, Yakima, or the surrounding area. See our page on other types of license suspensions for more detail on related situations.