Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.20
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.005 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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Except as expressly exempted by this chapter, it is a misdemeanor for a person to drive any motor vehicle upon a highway in this state without a valid driver's license issued to Washington residents under this chapter. This section does not apply if at the time of the stop the person is not in violation of RCW 46.20.342(1) or * 46.20.420 and has in his or her possession an expired driver's license or other valid identifying documentation under RCW 46.20.035. A violation of this section is a lesser included offense within the offenses described in RCW 46.20.342(1) or * 46.20.420.
[ 1997 c 66 s 1.]

Notes:

*Reviser's note: RCW 46.20.420 was recodified as RCW 46.20.345, June 1999.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 8 cases, 2003–2018 · leading case: In Re Martin, 223 P.3d 1221 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009).
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In Re Martin, 223 P.3d 1221 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “015, not a misdemeanor under RCW 46.20.005, to drive without a valid driver's license if the driver presents the officer with an expired license, or other valid identification, and the driver is not driving with a suspended or revoked license.”
Martin v. Crim. Just. Training Comm'n, 154 Wash. App. 252 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 2× “Cochrane under arrest for violation of RCW 46.20.005, driving without a *259 license, a misdemeanor.”
State v. Tinh Quoc Tran, 117 Wash. App. 126 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “Information A few days after filing the probation modification, the State also filed an information charging Tran with driving without a license in violation of RCW 46.20.005. Tran moved to dismiss, arguing that RCW 13.”
State v. Yallup, 248 P.3d 1095 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “RCW 46.20.005. [8] It is a crime in this state to drive when one's license or privilege has been suspended or revoked.”
State Of Washington, V April Jeanell Hancock, 360 P.3d 992 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 4× “¶13 Finally, in 1997, the legislature divided the DWOL statute into two sections: a criminal section at issue here (RCW 46.20.005), and a separate traffic infraction section (former RCW 46.”
State v. Tran, 69 P.3d 884 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “INFORMATION A few days after filing the probation modification, the State also filed an information charging Tran with driving without a license in violation of RCW 46.20.005. Tran moved to dismiss, arguing that RCW 13.”
State of Washington v. Leonard F. Davison (Wash. Ct. App. 2018). “RCW 46.20.005, .015. In either instance, the officer was free to further investigate Carson’s license status.”
State v. Yallup, 160 Wash. App. 500 (Wash. Ct. App. 2011). “RCW 46.20.005. 8 It is a crime in this state to drive *508 when one’s license or privilege has been suspended or revoked.”
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