Washington suspends your license after accumulating too many points, not after a set number of tickets
A single speeding ticket does not suspend your license in Washington. Instead, the state uses a points system: each traffic violation adds points to your driving record, and when you reach a threshold, the Department of Licensing suspends your license. A speeding ticket typically adds 1 to 3 points depending on how far over the limit you were driving. You reach suspension at 12 points within a 12-month period if you are under 18, or at 12 points within a 24-month period if you are 18 or older.
This means you could receive four or five speeding tickets and still keep your license — or you could lose it after two or three, depending on what other violations appear on your record. A reckless driving charge, for example, adds 6 points at once. The suspension is not automatic; the Department of Licensing reviews your record and sends you a notice before suspending your driving privileges.
Key Takeaways
- Washington uses a points system, not a ticket count, to determine suspension — you lose your license when you accumulate 12 points within 12 or 24 months, depending on your age.
- A speeding ticket adds 1 to 3 points; going 1 to 10 miles per hour over the limit is 1 point, 11 to 20 is 2 points, and 21 or more is 3 points.
- Other violations add points too — reckless driving is 6 points, an at-fault accident is 3 points — so your suspension date depends on your entire driving record, not just speeding.
- The Department of Licensing sends a suspension notice before your license is actually suspended, giving you time to request a hearing if you believe the record is wrong.
- You can request a hearing to contest the suspension or ask for a deferred suspension, which pauses the suspension if you avoid violations for a set period.
How Washington's points system works
Washington tracks violations by points, not by type or count. Every traffic violation carries a point value set by state law. When your total reaches 12 points within the lookback period — 12 months if you are under 18, or 24 months if you are 18 or older — the Department of Licensing issues a suspension notice.
The lookback period is a rolling window. If you received a ticket on January 15, 2024, and another on January 20, 2025, only the second ticket counts toward your 12-month total because the first one has aged out. However, if you receive tickets on January 15, 2024, and January 10, 2025, both count because they fall within 12 months of each other.
Points stay on your record for a set time. Most violations remain for three years from the violation date, though some serious violations stay longer. Once the violation ages off your record, those points no longer count toward suspension.
Point values for speeding and related violations
Speeding violations in Washington are assigned points based on how far over the posted limit you were driving:
| Speed over limit | Points |
|---|---|
| 1 to 10 mph | 1 point |
| 11 to 20 mph | 2 points |
| 21 or more mph | 3 points |
Other common violations add points differently. An at-fault accident is 3 points. Reckless driving is 6 points. Driving with a suspended license is 6 points. Failure to obey a traffic control device is 2 points. If you receive multiple violations from a single traffic stop, each one adds its own points.
When the Department of Licensing sends a suspension notice
The Department of Licensing does not suspend your license the moment you hit 12 points. Instead, they review your record periodically and send you a written notice at your address on file. The notice tells you the date your suspension will take effect — usually 30 days after the notice is mailed — and explains your right to request a hearing.
You must receive the notice before suspension takes effect. If the Department cannot locate you at your current address, the suspension may be delayed. This is why keeping your address current with the Department of Licensing matters: an outdated address means you might not learn about a suspension until you are pulled over.
If you believe the Department made an error — for example, if a violation was dismissed in court but still appears on your record — you can request a hearing to challenge the suspension before it goes into effect.
Options if you receive a suspension notice
When you receive a suspension notice, you have two main paths: request a hearing or accept the suspension.
A hearing lets you present evidence that the Department made a factual error. You can argue that a violation was dismissed, that points were miscalculated, or that the lookback period was applied incorrectly. You must request the hearing in writing within 10 days of receiving the notice. The hearing officer reviews your record and your evidence, then decides whether to uphold or reverse the suspension.
A deferred suspension is an alternative if you do not contest the suspension itself. You ask the Department to delay the suspension for a set period — usually 12 months — on the condition that you receive no new violations during that time. If you stay violation-free, the suspension is cancelled. If you receive another violation, the suspension takes effect when ready. Not all cases may have access to for deferral; the Department considers your driving history and the severity of the violations on your record.
How to check your driving record and points
You can view your Washington driving record through the Department of Licensing website or by visiting a local licensing office in person. The online record shows all violations, the date each occurred, the points assigned, and when each violation will age off your record. Checking your record regularly helps you understand how close you are to suspension.
If you see a violation on your record that you believe is wrong — for example, a ticket that was dismissed in court — contact the court that handled the case and ask them to send a certified dismissal to the Department of Licensing. The Department updates your record once they receive the court's paperwork, which can remove points and delay or prevent a suspension.
What happens after suspension takes effect
Once your license is suspended, you cannot legally drive in Washington. Driving with a suspended license is a separate violation that adds 6 points to your record and can result in criminal charges. The suspension lasts for a minimum period set by the Department — typically 30 days to one year depending on your history — after which you can request reinstatement.
To reinstate your license after suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee (currently $100 for a standard suspension) and meet any other conditions the Department sets, such as completing a defensive driving course. You cannot reinstate until the suspension period has ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a ticket dismissed to avoid points?
Yes. If you contest a ticket in court and the judge dismisses it or finds you not guilty, the violation does not add points to your record. You can also negotiate with the prosecutor for a reduction to a non-moving violation, which carries no points. However, you must act through the court — straightforward paying a ticket does not dismiss it.
Do points from out-of-state tickets count toward Washington suspension?
Yes. Washington counts violations from other states under its Interstate Compact agreement. An out-of-state speeding ticket will add points to your Washington record and count toward suspension, though the point value may differ from what Washington assigns for the same violation.
What if I was speeding in a school zone or construction zone?
Speeding in a school zone or construction zone carries the same point value as regular speeding based on how far over the limit you were driving. However, the fine amount is higher. The points are calculated the same way: 1 to 10 mph over is 1 point, 11 to 20 is 2 points, and 21 or more is 3 points.
Can I take a defensive driving course to remove points?
Washington does not allow you to remove points by taking a defensive driving course. However, completing an approved course before you receive a suspension notice may help you request a deferred suspension, and it can reduce insurance rates. After suspension, some courses are required as a condition of reinstatement.
How long does a speeding ticket stay on my record?
Most traffic violations, including speeding, remain on your Washington driving record for three years from the violation date. After three years, the violation ages off and no longer counts toward suspension. However, the violation may still appear on background checks or insurance records for longer.