Some Commonly Asked Questions about Traffic Tickets

Posted Friday, May 11, 2018 by Andrew Charles Huff

How long does a ticket stay on your record in Washington?

Traffic tickets stay on your record for 3 years for insurance purposes and cannot be removed. This is called your 3–year driving abstract. This information is available to the court for 7 years or longer and cannot be removed

How often can you defer a speeding ticket in Washington?

If a driver has no new violations for a one-year period, then the traffic ticket is dismissed. You will not pay a fine, but the court will charge administrative fees. Washington law allows you to defer one moving violation (e.g. speeding ticket) and one non-moving violation (e.g. no seatbelt) every seven years.

Washington Driving Record Violation System

When you commit traffic violations, the Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) will record them on your driving record. If you violate too many traffic laws, the WA DOL may flag you as a problem driver and serve you a variety of penalties. Too many traffic violations may result in:

Driver’s license suspensions, revocations, or cancellations.WA Department of Licensing (DOL) and/or court fees.Reinstatement fees.Driver improvement/defensive driving course completion requirements.Restrictions on your driving privileges.Higher car insurance rates.

Can I keep your ticket off your record?

Yes, chances are very high that I can keep your ticket off your record, either with a straight dismissal or an amendment to a non-moving violation that won’t appear on your driving record, such as a parking infraction or Inattention.