Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.61
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.500 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. Violation of the provisions of this section is a gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days and by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars.
(2)(a) Subject to (b) of this subsection, the license or permit to drive or any nonresident privilege of any person convicted of reckless driving shall be suspended by the department for not less than thirty days.
(b) When a reckless driving conviction is a result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, the department shall grant credit on a day-for-day basis for any portion of a suspension, revocation, or denial already served under an administrative action arising out of the same incident. In the case of a person whose day-for-day credit is for a period equal to or greater than the period of suspension required under this section, the department shall provide notice of full credit, shall provide for no further suspension under this section, and shall impose no additional reissue fees for this credit. During any period of suspension, revocation, or denial due to a conviction for reckless driving as the result of a charge originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, any person who has obtained an ignition interlock driver's license under RCW 46.20.385 may continue to drive a motor vehicle pursuant to the provision of the ignition interlock driver's license without obtaining a separate temporary restricted driver's license under RCW 46.20.391.
(3)(a) Except as provided under (b) of this subsection, a person convicted of reckless driving who has one or more prior offenses as defined in RCW 46.61.5055(14) within seven years shall be required, under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502, 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance.
(b) A person convicted of reckless driving shall be required, under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.520 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or RCW 46.61.522 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
[ 2020 c 330 s 14; 2012 c 183 s 11. Prior: 2011 c 293 s 4; 2011 c 96 s 34; 1990 c 291 s 1; 1979 ex.s. c 136 s 85; 1967 c 32 s 67; 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 59.]

Notes:

Rules of court: Bail in criminal traffic offense cases—Mandatory appearance—CrRLJ 3.2.
Effective date—2020 c 330: See note following RCW 9.94A.729.
Effective date—2012 c 183: See note following RCW 9.94A.475.
Effective date—2011 c 293 ss 1-9: See note following RCW 46.20.385.
Findings—Intent—2011 c 96: See note following RCW 9A.20.021.
Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.
Arrest of person involved in reckless driving: RCW 10.31.100.
Criminal history and driving record: RCW 46.61.513.
Embracing another while driving as reckless driving: RCW 46.61.665.
Excess speed as prima facie evidence of reckless driving: RCW 46.61.465.
Racing of vehicles on public highways, reckless driving: RCW 46.61.530.
Revocation of license, reckless driving: RCW 46.20.285.
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RCW 46.61.500

Reckless driving—Penalty—Probation. (Effective January 1, 2029.)

(1) Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, violation of the provisions of this section is a gross misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 364 days and by a fine of not more than $5,000.
(2)(a) Subject to (b) of this subsection, the license or permit to drive or any nonresident privilege of any person convicted of reckless driving shall be suspended by the department for not less than 30 days.
(b) When a reckless driving conviction is a result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance, the department shall grant credit on a day-for-day basis for any portion of a suspension, revocation, or denial already served under an administrative action arising out of the same incident. In the case of a person whose day-for-day credit is for a period equal to or greater than the period of suspension required under this section, the department shall provide notice of full credit, shall provide for no further suspension under this section, and shall impose no additional reissue fees for this credit. During any period of suspension, revocation, or denial due to a conviction for reckless driving as the result of a charge originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502 or 46.61.504, any person who has obtained an ignition interlock driver's license under RCW 46.20.385 may continue to drive a motor vehicle pursuant to the provision of the ignition interlock driver's license without obtaining a separate temporary restricted driver's license under RCW 46.20.391.
(3)(a) Except as provided under (b) of this subsection, a person convicted of reckless driving who has one or more prior offenses as defined in RCW 46.61.5055(14) within seven years shall be required, under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.502, 46.61.504, or an equivalent local ordinance.
(b) A person convicted of reckless driving shall be required, under RCW 46.20.720, to install an ignition interlock device on all vehicles operated by the person if the conviction is the result of a charge that was originally filed as a violation of RCW 46.61.520 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or RCW 46.61.522 committed while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug.
(4)(a) Following the period of suspension under subsection (2) of this section, the department must establish a period of probation for 150 days. During the period of probation, the person may not operate a vehicle upon which a properly functioning intelligent speed assistance device has not been installed.
(b) The operation of a vehicle without such a properly functioning intelligent speed assistance device following the suspension as provided in (a) of this subsection is a traffic infraction.
(c) Any traffic infraction for a moving violation committed during the period of probation shall result in an additional 30-day suspension or revocation to run consecutively with any suspension already being served.
(d) A person who is required to operate a motor vehicle with an intelligent speed assistance device under this subsection (4) remains exclusively responsible for operation of the motor vehicle in a safe and lawful manner at all times. The obligation to use an intelligent speed assistance device is not a defense or mitigating circumstance to a violation of rules of the road, as set forth in law.
[ 2025 c 228 s 14; 2020 c 330 s 14; 2012 c 183 s 11. Prior: 2011 c 293 s 4; 2011 c 96 s 34; 1990 c 291 s 1; 1979 ex.s. c 136 s 85; 1967 c 32 s 67; 1965 ex.s. c 155 s 59.]

Notes:

Rules of court: Bail in criminal traffic offense cases—Mandatory appearance—CrRLJ 3.2.
Intent—Finding—Short title—Effective date—2025 c 228: See notes following RCW 46.20.760.
Effective date—2020 c 330: See note following RCW 9.94A.729.
Effective date—2012 c 183: See note following RCW 9.94A.475.
Effective date—2011 c 293 ss 1-9: See note following RCW 46.20.385.
Findings—Intent—2011 c 96: See note following RCW 9A.20.021.
Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.
Arrest of person involved in reckless driving: RCW 10.31.100.
Criminal history and driving record: RCW 46.61.513.
Embracing another while driving as reckless driving: RCW 46.61.665.
Excess speed as prima facie evidence of reckless driving: RCW 46.61.465.
Racing of vehicles on public highways, reckless driving: RCW 46.61.530.
Revocation of license, reckless driving: RCW 46.20.285.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 84 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1967–2024 · leading case: State v. Roggenkamp, 106 P.3d 196 (Wash. 2005).
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State v. Roggenkamp, 106 P.3d 196 (Wash. 2005). · cites it 24× “" The present reckless driving statute, RCW 46.61.500, was enacted in 1965. See LAWS of 1965, Ex.”
State v. Roggenkamp, 153 Wash. 2d 614 (Wash. 2005). · cites it 20× “The 1965 reckless driving statute, codified at RCW 46.61.500, differs from the reckless driving law it replaced in that it no longer employed the term “in a reckless manner.”
State v. Rich, 365 P.3d 746 (Wash. 2016). · cites it 2× “A separate statute, RCW 46.61.500, prohibits “reckless driving,” which is “driving] any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
In Re the Pers. Restraint of Williams, 759 P.2d 436 (Wash. 1988). · cites it 6× “020(5)); or "(b) Any federal, out-of-state, county, or municipal conviction for an offense that under the laws of this state would be classified as a serious traffic offense under (a) of this subsection.”
State v. Roggenkamp, 115 Wash. App. 927 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 6× “The definition of “reckless” Roggenkamp argues should apply to the vehicular homicide and vehicular assault statutes comes from the reckless driving statute, RCW 46.61.500, which provides: (1) Any person who drives any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of…”
State v. King, 219 P.3d 642 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 4× “Starks pulled King *326 over and issued him a criminal citation for reckless driving under RCW 46.61.500. King moved to dismiss, arguing Starks arrested him outside his department’s boundaries without a valid interlocal agreement allowing him to do so.”
State v. Parker, 683 P.2d 189 (Wash. 1984). · cites it 4× “) RCW 46.61.500, misdemeanor reckless driving, provides: (1) Any person who drives any vehicle in wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.”
State v. Mullen, 345 P.3d 26 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 6× “5249 (Negligent Driving in the First Degree), RCW 46.61.500 (Reckless Driving), or RCW 9A.”
State v. Reding, 835 P.2d 1019 (Wash. 1992). · cites it 3× “Former RCW 46.61.500. 1 In addition, the Legislature amended RCW 46.”
City of Auburn v. Hedlund, 165 Wash. 2d 645 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 2× “See RCW 46.61.500 (reckless driving), .502 (driving under the influence); RCW 66.”
City of Auburn v. Hedlund, 201 P.3d 315 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 2× “See RCW 46.61.500 (reckless driving); RCW 46.”
State v. Farr-Lenzini, 970 P.2d 313 (Wash. Ct. App. 1999). · cites it 2× “525, is not a lesser included offense of reckless driving, RCW 46.61.500. Facts Early on a September Sunday morning, a Washington State Patrol trooper and his trooper cadet passenger observed Farr-Lenzini drive her Ford Probe through the intersection of SR 503 and 199th Street…”
Show all 84 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.500(1) — 29 cases
State v. Roggenkamp, 106 P.3d 196 (Wash. 2005). “" The present reckless driving statute, RCW 46.61.500, was enacted in 1965. See LAWS of 1965, Ex.”
State v. Roggenkamp, 153 Wash. 2d 614 (Wash. 2005). “The 1965 reckless driving statute, codified at RCW 46.61.500, differs from the reckless driving law it replaced in that it no longer employed the term “in a reckless manner.”
State v. Rich, 365 P.3d 746 (Wash. 2016). “A separate statute, RCW 46.61.500, prohibits “reckless driving,” which is “driving] any vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
State v. King, 219 P.3d 642 (Wash. 2009). “Starks pulled King *326 over and issued him a criminal citation for reckless driving under RCW 46.61.500. King moved to dismiss, arguing Starks arrested him outside his department’s boundaries without a valid interlocal agreement allowing him to do so.”
State v. Morales, 269 P.3d 263 (Wash. 2012).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.500(l) — 1 case
State v. Roggenkamp, 153 Wash. 2d 614 (Wash. 2005). “The 1965 reckless driving statute, codified at RCW 46.61.500, differs from the reckless driving law it replaced in that it no longer employed the term “in a reckless manner.”
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