Washington Traffic Violation Records

Official documents containing information relating to the contravention of traffic laws in Washington may be referred to as traffic violation records. Usually, these records are maintained by the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL). Some traffic violation records are maintained in the state's court system. Such records include those relating to criminal traffic offenses, such as DUI or reckless driving. These types of records are maintained by the clerk of the courts where the cases were adjudicated.

Speeding violations are common traffic infractions in Washington. About 12.17% of drivers in the state have a prior speeding ticket on their record, placing the state eighth on the list of states with the most drivers with prior speeding tickets.

The Evergreen State punishes speeding violations with demerit point accumulation on the driving records of motorists. Accumulating too many points on a driving record may lead to a driver's license revocation or suspension. For more serious traffic violations, offenders may be arrested and jailed, while Washington courts may require violators to attend traffic schools.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Washington?

Traffic records are generally considered public information in Washington. However, only certain entities, such as law enforcement, insurance companies, and employers conducting background checks, may access a driver's full record. Also, individuals may request their own driving records from the state Department of Licensing.

For more serious traffic offenses, such as DUI or reckless driving, which are classified as misdemeanors or felonies, records are also maintained typically by the district court or municipal court. Court records, including those for traffic crimes, are generally publicly accessible, except in cases where records are sealed or restricted by law. Also, information related to minors involved in traffic violations may be protected from public disclosure. If a citation is part of an ongoing criminal investigation, some details of the record may be withheld till the completion of investigations.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Washington?

You may look up traffic tickets in Washington by performing a search on the Washington State Courts website. In the " Search Case Records" area, you may provide your name or ticket name to obtain information about the ticket, such as violation date, fine amount, and the due date.

Also, if a traffic ticket impacts your driving record, you may submit a request to the Department of Licensing to obtain your driving record. If you are unsure where you have an unpaid traffic ticket in the state, you may contact the Washington State DOL Customer Service line at (360) 902-3900 to find the information you need. Local court websites (for example, the Seattle municipal court) in the state also allow the public to find individuals to find information related to their ticket if they have lost or misplaced traffic tickets or do not have their hearing information.

Alternatively, reputable third-party data providers such as publicrecords.us offer public access to ticket information for several states in the nation, including Washington State.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

You may pay a Washington traffic ticket online, by mail, over the phone, or in person. The specific acceptable payment methods depend on the policy of the jurisdiction where the ticket was issued. To find out how you may make a payment, visit the website of the county or the local district or municipal court handling the matter. For instance, the Seattle municipal court and Pierce county allow traffic ticket payments to be made online, by mail, and over the phone.

If you are unable to pay the full amount at once, some courts offer payment plans or community service alternatives. You can request a payment arrangement directly from the court.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

You may obtain your Washington driving record by submitting a request online or by mail. Also called a driving abstract, your driving record typically contains information such as traffic violations, citations, convictions, collisions, and DOL actions taken against your license. Each copy of a driving record costs $15 (whether obtained via an online or mail request). The types of driving records issued by the DOL include a full abstract, insurance, employment, or alcohol and drug treatment driving record. These records serve different purposes.

Note that information about alcohol-related convictions, vehicular assault and vehicular homicide convictions, and deferred prosecutions contained in the driving record are for all lifetime details of such events. However, information for other convictions, violations, collisions for non-commercial vehicles, and departmental actions are also up to 5 years of details. Failure to appear or respond to a traffic citation or notice of infraction remains on your driving record for up to 10 years from the date the court notifies the DOL about them or their resolutions.

It takes up to 24 hours to obtain a copy of your driving record online through License Express or 14 days if your request was submitted by mail.

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Washington?

When a driver commits a moving traffic violation in Washington, it means that the individual broke state traffic laws while their vehicle was in motion. Common examples of moving violations in Washington are:

• Speeding
• Reckless driving
• Improper lane changes
• Running a red light or stop sign
• DUI

If you are charged with a moving violation in Washington, you may be fined, and demerit points added to your driving record. Note that accumulating too many points may lead to increased insurance premiums, license suspension, or mandatory driving courses.

A traffic infraction is called a non-moving violation if it occurs when the vehicle is stationary or when the infraction does not involve the vehicle's movement. Examples of non-moving violations in Washington include:

• Parking violations
• Expired registration or tags
• Broken or malfunctioning equipment, such as tail lights
• Failure to display a valid license plate

In Washington, the penalties for non-moving violations are less severe, as the violators do not generally get demerit points on their driving records but may be fined. However, failing to resolve these issues may lead to additional penalties, including vehicle impoundment.

How Long Does DUI Stay on Your Record in Washington?

A DUI conviction in Washington remains on your criminal and driving records for life. The Evergreen State has one of the highest DUI rates as a portion of the state's total arrests in the United States. The state records about 372 DUI arrests and 4.3 DUI road fatalities per 100,000 drivers.

DUI penalties in Washington vary based on the blood alcohol content (BAC) level. For a first-time offense with a BAC less than 0.15%, penalties include fines ranging from $990.50 to $5,000, jail time of between 1 and 364 days, and a 90-day license suspension. If the BAC is 0.15% or higher, or if the driver refuses a breath test, the penalties increase to fines of $1,245.50 to $5,000, jail time of 2 days to 364 days, and a 1-year license suspension.

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Washington?

Basic speed limits in Washington are outlined in Section 46.61.400 of the state's revised code. Except otherwise posted, the following speed limits apply in the state:

• 25 mph on city and town streets
• 50 mph on county roads
• 60 mph on state highways
• 20 mph in school zones

Individuals who break these limits may expect to pay a fine typically ranging between $120 and $450, depending on the severity of the offense. However, speeding over 40 miles per hour or more over the limit may be charged as reckless driving, a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail, fines of up to $5,000, and a possible license suspension. Fines are also doubled for offenders caught speeding in a school or construction zone when workers or children are present.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Washington?

A speeding ticket stays on your Washington driver's record for five years.

How To Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

If you have been issued a traffic ticket in Washington, you may fight the case yourself using the following contest grounds:

• Check the ticket for errors: Review your traffic ticket for any inaccuracies, such as incorrect vehicle information or location details. Significant errors may be used as grounds for dismissal.
• Missing or unclear speed limit signage: If a sign is missing, blocked by foliage, damaged, or poorly illuminated, you can argue that you were unaware of the speed limit. To support this defense, you may need to provide photographic evidence or witness statements.
• Question the officer's observations: You may challenge the officer's observations, especially if they relied on visual estimates rather than radar or lidar devices.
• Request calibration records: Verify the accuracy of the speed measurement device used by the officer. If the device was not properly calibrated, this can undermine the validity of the ticket.
• Use the necessity defense: You may also argue that speeding was necessary to prevent greater harm, such as avoiding an aggressive driver or transporting a critically ill passenger.

However, you should hire a traffic attorney if your traffic ticket involves serious charges like DUI or reckless driving or in situations where you have multiple violations that may lead to a license suspension.

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

The Driver's License Compact, of which Washington is a member, ensures that traffic violations committed in one state are reported to the driver's home state, where they are treated as though they occurred locally. Also, for states participating in the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC), failing to pay traffic fines for an out-of-state ticket may result in the suspension of your driver's license until the matter is resolved.

• Request a Court Hearing: In many states, you may contest a ticket by pleading not guilty and requesting a hearing. Depending on the court, you may need to appear in person, though some jurisdictions allow virtual hearings.
• Seek Legal Representation: Hiring a local traffic attorney in the state where the ticket was issued may help in reducing the fines, points, or penalties.
• Gather Supporting Evidence: Strengthen your defense with evidence such as witness statements, photos, or dashcam footage that contradicts the officer's report.
• Negotiate a Lesser Charge: Some states allow drivers to negotiate a plea agreement, which may result in reduced fines or fewer points added to your driving record.
• Enroll in Traffic School: Certain states permit drivers to take a defensive driving course to reduce points or have the violation dismissed, depending on eligibility requirements.

How Do Washington Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

The following are unique Washington traffic laws:

• Left Lane for Passing Only: Washington enforces a strict "Keep Right Except to Pass" law, meaning drivers can be ticketed for driving continuously in the left lane without passing.
• Emergency Zone Law: Drivers must slow down 200 feet before approaching emergency or disabled vehicles with flashing lights or face doubled fines.
• HOV Lane Penalties: Washington has strict enforcement of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, with steep fines for violators, including the use of mannequins or dummies to fake extra passengers.
• "DUI-E" (Driving Under the Influence of Electronics): Distracted driving due to phone use is treated similarly to DUI, with significant fines and penalties.
• Flashing Yellow Arrows: Washington uses flashing yellow arrows at intersections, allowing drivers to make left turns only when it is safe, rather than waiting for a green arrow.