Revised Code of Washington
Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.291 (2026)
✓ current as of May 2026
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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;
(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 s 6; 2016 c 203 s 5; 2007 c 393 s 2; 1998 c 165 s 12; 1997 c 58 s 806; 1993 c 501 s 4; 1991 c 293 s 5; 1980 c 128 s 12; 1965 ex.s. c 121 s 25.]
Notes:
*Reviser's note: 1997 c 58 s 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 ss 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.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 12
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1982–2021 · leading case: Prostov v. Dep't of Licensing, 349 P.3d 874 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015).
Prostov v. Dep't of Licensing, 349 P.3d 874 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “¶6 In Washington, drivers facing license suspension under RCW 46.20.291 are entitled to several procedural protections.”
Amunrud v. Bd. of Appeals, 158 Wash. 2d 208 (Wash. 2006). “Former RCW 46.20.291 (1993) (emphasis added). ¶57 However the challenged amendment to RCW 46.”
State v. Gaddy, 93 P.3d 872 (Wash. 2004). “, RCW 46.20.291 (which sets forth the grounds on which DOL may suspend a person's driver's license); RCW 46.”
Amunrud v. Bd. of Appeals, 143 P.3d 571 (Wash. 2006). “Former RCW 46.20.291 (1993) (emphasis added). ¶ 57 However the challenged amendment to RCW 46.”
State v. Gaddy, 152 Wash. 2d 64 (Wash. 2004). “, RCW 46.20.291 (numerated list of grounds on which DOL may suspend a person’s driver’s license); RCW 46.”
In Re Games, 213 B.R. 773 (Bankr. E.D. Wash. 1997). “RCW 46.20.291(5); RCW 46.20.289; and RCW 46.”
Mentor v. Nelson, 644 P.2d 685 (Wash. Ct. App. 1982). “1 At all times pertinent to this appeal RCW 46.20.291(1) (c) (Laws of 1965, 1st Ex.”
Yuri Prostov, App. v. Wa State Dep't Of Licensing, Res. (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “In Washington, drivers facing license suspension under RCW 46.20.291 are entitled to several procedural protections.”
Bennett v. State, 70 P.3d 147 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “58, § 806(7); RCW 46.20.291(8). When the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) took steps toward suspending Mark Bennett's driver's license for failure to pay child support, Bennett filed this action in Thurston County Superior Court, seeking a declaration that chapter…”
Bennett v. State, 117 Wash. App. 483 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “58, § 806(7); RCW 46.20.291(8). When the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) took steps toward suspending Mark Bennett’s driver’s license for failure to pay child support, Bennett filed this action in Thurston County Superior Court, seeking a declaration that chapter…”
Stephen Johnson v. Dept. Of Licensing (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “. [h]as 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 or citation, as provided in RCW 46.”
Joshua C. Smith, V. State Of Wa., Dept Of Licensing, 496 P.3d 1195 (Wash. Ct. App. 2021). “308(6) requires that “upon receipt of a sworn report,” the department “suspend, revoke, or deny the person’s license, permit, or privilege to drive .”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.291(1) — 1 case
Mentor v. Nelson, 644 P.2d 685 (Wash. Ct. App. 1982). “1 At all times pertinent to this appeal RCW 46.20.291(1) (c) (Laws of 1965, 1st Ex.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.291(1)(c) — 1 case
Mentor v. Nelson, 644 P.2d 685 (Wash. Ct. App. 1982). “1 At all times pertinent to this appeal RCW 46.20.291(1) (c) (Laws of 1965, 1st Ex.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.291(5) — 2 cases
In Re Games, 213 B.R. 773 (Bankr. E.D. Wash. 1997). “RCW 46.20.291(5); RCW 46.20.289; and RCW 46.”
Stephen Johnson v. Dept. Of Licensing (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “. [h]as 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 or citation, as provided in RCW 46.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.291(7) — 2 cases
Prostov v. Dep't of Licensing, 349 P.3d 874 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “¶6 In Washington, drivers facing license suspension under RCW 46.20.291 are entitled to several procedural protections.”
Yuri Prostov, App. v. Wa State Dep't Of Licensing, Res. (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “In Washington, drivers facing license suspension under RCW 46.20.291 are entitled to several procedural protections.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.291(8) — 2 cases
Bennett v. State, 70 P.3d 147 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “58, § 806(7); RCW 46.20.291(8). When the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) took steps toward suspending Mark Bennett's driver's license for failure to pay child support, Bennett filed this action in Thurston County Superior Court, seeking a declaration that chapter…”
Bennett v. State, 117 Wash. App. 483 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “58, § 806(7); RCW 46.20.291(8). When the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) took steps toward suspending Mark Bennett’s driver’s license for failure to pay child support, Bennett filed this action in Thurston County Superior Court, seeking a declaration that chapter…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.291(l)(c) — 1 case
Mentor v. Nelson, 644 P.2d 685 (Wash. Ct. App. 1982). “1 At all times pertinent to this appeal RCW 46.20.291(1) (c) (Laws of 1965, 1st Ex.”
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