Wash. Rev. Code » Title 46 · Chapter 46.65
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 46.65.065 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) Whenever a person's driving record, as maintained by the department, brings him or her within the definition of an habitual traffic offender, as defined in RCW 46.65.020, the department shall forthwith notify the person of the revocation in writing by certified mail at his or her address of record as maintained by the department. If the person is a nonresident of this state, notice shall be sent to the person's last known address. Notices of revocation shall inform the recipient thereof of his or her right to a formal hearing and specify the steps which must be taken in order to obtain a hearing. Within fifteen days after the notice has been given, the person may, in writing, request a formal hearing. If such a request is not made within the prescribed time the right to a hearing is waived. A request for a hearing stays the effectiveness of the revocation.
(2) Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, the department shall schedule a hearing in the county in which the person making the request resides, and if [the] person is a nonresident of this state, the hearing shall be held in Thurston county. The department shall give at least ten days notice of the hearing to the person.
(3) The scope of the hearings provided by this section is limited to the issues of whether the certified transcripts or abstracts of the convictions, as maintained by the department, show that the requisite number of violations have been accumulated within the prescribed period of time as set forth in RCW 46.65.020 and whether the terms and conditions for granting stays, as provided in RCW 46.65.060, have been met.
(4) Upon receipt of the hearing officer's decision, an aggrieved party may appeal to the superior court of the county in which he or she resides, or, in the case of a nonresident of this state, in the superior court of Thurston county, for review of the revocation. Notice of appeal must be filed within thirty days after receipt of the hearing officer's decision or the right to appeal is waived. Review by the court shall be de novo and without a jury.
(5) The filing of a notice of appeal does not stay the effective date of the revocation.
[ 1989 c 337 s 10; 1979 c 62 s 5.]

Notes:

Severability—1979 c 62: See note following RCW 46.65.020.
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RCW 46.65.065

Revocation of habitual offender's license—Request for hearing, scope—Right to appeal. (Effective October 1, 2025.)

(1) Whenever a person's driving record, as maintained by the department, brings him or her within the definition of an habitual traffic offender, as defined in RCW 46.65.020, the department shall forthwith notify the person of the revocation in writing at his or her address of record as maintained by the department. If the person is a nonresident of this state, notice shall be sent to the person's last known address. Notices of revocation shall inform the recipient thereof of his or her right to a formal hearing and specify the steps which must be taken in order to obtain a hearing. Within 15 days after the notice has been given, the person may, in writing, request a formal hearing. If such a request is not made within the prescribed time the right to a hearing is waived. A request for a hearing stays the effectiveness of the revocation.
(2) Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, the department shall schedule a hearing, including a remote hearing, and shall give at least 10 days' notice of the hearing to the person.
(3) The scope of the hearings provided by this section is limited to the issues of whether the certified transcripts or abstracts of the convictions, as maintained by the department, show that the requisite number of violations have been accumulated within the prescribed period of time as set forth in RCW 46.65.020 and whether the terms and conditions for granting stays, as provided in RCW 46.65.060, have been met.
(4) Upon receipt of the hearing officer's decision, an aggrieved party may appeal to the superior court of the county in which he or she resides, or, in the case of a nonresident of this state, in the superior court of Thurston county, for review of the revocation. Notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after receipt of the hearing officer's decision or the right to appeal is waived. Review by the court shall be de novo and without a jury.
(5) The filing of a notice of appeal does not stay the effective date of the revocation.
[ 2025 c 23 s 13; 1989 c 337 s 10; 1979 c 62 s 5.]

Notes:

Effective date—2025 c 23 ss 1-4 and 6-14: See note following RCW 46.04.480.
Severability—1979 c 62: See note following RCW 46.65.020.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 25 cases, 1983–2016 · leading case: State v. Storhoff, 133 Wash. 2d 523 (Wash. 1997).
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State v. Storhoff, 133 Wash. 2d 523 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 9× “*527 Notice of Habitual Traffic Offender Status - RCW 46.65.065: When a person is determined to be a habitual traffic offender, as defined by RCW 46.”
State v. Storhoff, 946 P.2d 783 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 8× “Notice of Habitual Traffic Offender Status—RCW 46.65.065: When a person is determined to be a habitual traffic offender, as defined by RCW 46.”
City of Redmond v. Arroyo-Murillo, 70 P.3d 947 (Wash. 2003). · cites it 5× “020, the department shall forthwith notify the person of the revocation in writing by certified mail at his or her address of record as maintained by the department.”
State v. Dolson, 982 P.2d 100 (Wash. 1999). · cites it 4× “The statute reads in part: (1) Whenever a person's driving record, as maintained by the department, brings him or her within the definition of an habitual traffic offender, as defined in RCW 46.”
State v. Dolson, 138 Wash. 2d 773 (Wash. 1999). · cites it 4× “The statute mandates that DOL notify habitual traffic offenders of their license revocation, the right to a formal hearing, and the procedure for obtaining a hearing. The statute reads in part: (1) Whenever a person’s driving record, as maintained by the department, brings him…”
State v. Vahl, 784 P.2d 1280 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 6× “) Former RCW 46.65.065(1). Vahl argues that due process requires proof of actual notice of an order of revocation before a habitual traffic offender may be convicted of driving while the order is in effect.”
State v. Rogers, 898 P.2d 294 (Wash. 1995). · cites it 3× “His argument that revocation of his license is not effective until the Department mails notice to his "last known address” under RCW 46.65.065 is without merit. Even assuming that his current address was "known” to the Department, the requirement under RCW 46.”
State v. Whitney, 897 P.2d 374 (Wash. Ct. App. 1995). · cites it 3× “” RCW 46.65.065. RCW 46.20.205 requires a driver to notify the Department of any change in address.”
Pal v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 342 P.3d 1190 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 3× “65 RCW in the notices was not sufficiently specific to provide notice of the hearing request time limit contained in RCW 46.65.065(1). Storhoff, 133 Wn.2d at 528 .”
In Re Marriage of McLean, 937 P.2d 602 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 2× “2d 1280 (1990), the issue also concerned a statute providing for notice of a driver's license revocation by certified mail, former RCW 46.65.065(1). The defendant, an habitual traffic offender, claimed that notice sent by certified mail failed to satisfy due process where the…”
Dep't of Licensing v. Ramirez, 661 P.2d 1009 (Wash. Ct. App. 1983). · cites it 8× “" 2 RCW 46.65.065 sets out the administrative appeal procedure.”
In re the Marriage of McLean, 132 Wash. 2d 301 (Wash. 1997). · cites it 2× “2d 1280 (1990), the issue also concerned a statute providing for notice of a driver’s license revocation by certified mail, former RCW 46.65.065(1). The defendant, an habitual traffic offender, claimed that notice sent by certified mail failed to satisfy *312 due process where…”
Show all 25 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.65.065(1) — 16 cases
State v. Storhoff, 133 Wash. 2d 523 (Wash. 1997). “*527 Notice of Habitual Traffic Offender Status - RCW 46.65.065: When a person is determined to be a habitual traffic offender, as defined by RCW 46.”
State v. Storhoff, 946 P.2d 783 (Wash. 1997). “Notice of Habitual Traffic Offender Status—RCW 46.65.065: When a person is determined to be a habitual traffic offender, as defined by RCW 46.”
State v. Vahl, 784 P.2d 1280 (Wash. Ct. App. 1990). “) Former RCW 46.65.065(1). Vahl argues that due process requires proof of actual notice of an order of revocation before a habitual traffic offender may be convicted of driving while the order is in effect.”
Pal v. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 342 P.3d 1190 (Wash. Ct. App. 2015). “65 RCW in the notices was not sufficiently specific to provide notice of the hearing request time limit contained in RCW 46.65.065(1). Storhoff, 133 Wn.2d at 528 .”
In Re Marriage of McLean, 937 P.2d 602 (Wash. 1997). “2d 1280 (1990), the issue also concerned a statute providing for notice of a driver's license revocation by certified mail, former RCW 46.65.065(1). The defendant, an habitual traffic offender, claimed that notice sent by certified mail failed to satisfy due process where the…”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.65.065(3) — 1 case
Dep't of Licensing v. Ramirez, 661 P.2d 1009 (Wash. Ct. App. 1983). “" 2 RCW 46.65.065 sets out the administrative appeal procedure.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 46.65.065(4) — 1 case
Upward v. Dep't of Licensing, 689 P.2d 415 (Wash. Ct. App. 1984).
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