Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 46.20 - Drivers' Licenses—Identicards.
46.20.291 - Authority to suspend—Grounds.

RCW 46.20.291
Authority to suspend—Grounds. (Effective until January 1, 2023.)

The department is authorized to suspend the license of a driver upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:
(1) Has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation or suspension of license is provided by law;
(2) Has, by reckless or unlawful operation of a motor vehicle, caused or contributed to an accident resulting in death or injury to any person or serious property damage;
(3) Has been convicted of offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles, or found to have committed traffic infractions, with such frequency as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws or a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;
(4) Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle under RCW 46.20.031(3);
(5) Has failed to respond to a notice of traffic infraction, failed to appear at a requested hearing, violated a written promise to appear in court, or has failed to comply with the terms of a notice of traffic infraction, criminal complaint, or citation, as provided in RCW 46.20.289;
(6) Is subject to suspension under RCW 46.20.305 or 9A.56.078;
(7) Has committed one of the prohibited practices relating to drivers' licenses defined in RCW 46.20.0921; or
(8) Has been certified by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a child support order or a *residential or visitation order as provided in RCW 74.20A.320.

[ 2016 c 203 § 5; 2007 c 393 § 2; 1998 c 165 § 12; 1997 c 58 § 806; 1993 c 501 § 4; 1991 c 293 § 5; 1980 c 128 § 12; 1965 ex.s. c 121 § 25.]
NOTES:

*Reviser's note: 1997 c 58 § 886 requiring a court to order certification of noncompliance with residential provisions of a court-ordered parenting plan was vetoed. Provisions ordering the department of social and health services to certify a responsible parent based on a court order to certify for noncompliance with residential provisions of a parenting plan were vetoed. See RCW 74.20A.320.


Effective date—1998 c 165 §§ 8-14: See note following RCW 46.52.070.


Short title—1998 c 165: See note following RCW 43.59.010.


Short title—Part headings, captions, table of contents not law—Exemptions and waivers from federal law—Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1997 c 58: See RCW 74.08A.900 through 74.08A.904.


Effective dates—Intent—1997 c 58: See notes following RCW 74.20A.320.


Effective date—Severability—1980 c 128: See notes following RCW 46.63.060.


Reckless driving, suspension of license: RCW 46.61.500.


Vehicular assault
drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment: RCW 9.94A.703.
penalty: RCW 46.61.522.


Vehicular homicide
drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment: RCW 9.94A.703.
penalty: RCW 46.61.520.


The department is authorized to suspend the license of a driver upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:
(1) Has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation or suspension of license is provided by law;
(2) Has, by reckless or unlawful operation of a motor vehicle, caused or contributed to an accident resulting in death or injury to any person or serious property damage;
(3) Has been convicted of offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles, or found to have committed traffic infractions, with such frequency as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws or a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;
(4) Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle under RCW 46.20.031(3);
(5) Has failed to respond to a notice of traffic infraction, failed to appear at a hearing, or has failed to comply with the terms of a criminal complaint or criminal citation for a moving violation, as provided in RCW 46.20.289;
(6) Is subject to suspension under RCW 46.20.305 or 9A.56.078;
(7) Has committed one of the prohibited practices relating to drivers' licenses defined in RCW 46.20.0921; or
(8) Has been certified by the department of social and health services as a person who is not in compliance with a child support order or a *residential or visitation order as provided in RCW 74.20A.320.

[ 2021 c 240 § 6; 2016 c 203 § 5; 2007 c 393 § 2; 1998 c 165 § 12; 1997 c 58 § 806; 1993 c 501 § 4; 1991 c 293 § 5; 1980 c 128 § 12; 1965 ex.s. c 121 § 25.]
NOTES:

*Reviser's note: 1997 c 58 § 886 requiring a court to order certification of noncompliance with residential provisions of a court-ordered parenting plan was vetoed. Provisions ordering the department of social and health services to certify a responsible parent based on a court order to certify for noncompliance with residential provisions of a parenting plan were vetoed. See RCW 74.20A.320.


Effective date—2021 c 240: See note following RCW 46.63.060.


Effective date—1998 c 165 §§ 8-14: See note following RCW 46.52.070.


Short title—1998 c 165: See note following RCW 43.59.010.


Short title—Part headings, captions, table of contents not law—Exemptions and waivers from federal law—Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1997 c 58: See RCW 74.08A.900 through 74.08A.904.


Effective dates—Intent—1997 c 58: See notes following RCW 74.20A.320.


Effective date—Severability—1980 c 128: See notes following RCW 46.63.060.


Reckless driving, suspension of license: RCW 46.61.500.


Vehicular assault
drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment: RCW 9.94A.703.
penalty: RCW 46.61.522.


Vehicular homicide
drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment: RCW 9.94A.703.
penalty: RCW 46.61.520.

Structure Revised Code of Washington