Driving Under the Influence refers to
operating a motor vehicle while affected by alcohol, drugs, or both. This
applies to both legal and illegal drugs, including prescription medication and
over-the-counter drugs.
How is DUI determined?
If driving under the
influence is suspected,
the amount of alcohol in the driver’s blood is measured by a breath or blood
test. The driver will be cited for driving under the influence if the results are:
- .08 or higher for adults.
- .02 or higher for minors (under 21).
What can I expect if I am stopped for driving under the influence?
If you are stopped
for suspected driving under the influence, the law enforcement officer may:
- ask if you have consumed any alcohol or
drug-related substances.
- ask you to take a field sobriety test.
- ask you to submit to a breath test. If your
blood alcohol content is .08 or higher, you may be cited and taken to jail.
You also may request to have a blood test.
What if I refuse to take the breath or blood
test?
If you refuse to take the test, your license will
be revoked. When you operate a motor vehicle in Washington State, you
automatically give consent to have your breath or blood tested if a law
enforcement officer believes you have been driving under the influence of
alcohol or drugs. This is Washington's Implied
Consent law.
Driving under the influence
license suspensions
Will my driver license be suspended immediately
after I’m stopped for driving under the influence?
No. The amount of time until the suspension takes
effect depends on the type of offense.
How long will my license be suspended?
Your license may be suspended from 90 days to 4
years, based on prior offenses and your blood alcohol level.
I am licensed in a state other than Washington.
What happens if I am cited for driving under the influence in Washington State?
When we are notified
of your driving under the influence, we:
- record it on your Washington State driving
record.
- take the appropriate action to suspend or
revoke your driving privileges.
- forward a copy to the state where you are
licensed. They may also take action if required by their state laws.
I don’t have a driver license. How can you
suspend something I don’t have?
An unlicensed driver stopped for a driving under the influence
will be
reported the same way a licensed driver would be. If you do not have a record
with the Washington State Department of Licensing, a record will be created
based on the information provided by the law enforcement agency.
DUI.com - A state- by-state listing of everything you need to know about drinking, driving and drugs.
Washington DMV Services -
Complete DMV Resource. DMV forms, license and registration information, insurance resources, traffic school, phone numbers, office appointments and more.
*This site is not affiliated with any lawyer or law firm.
All information is provided for reference purposes only. Please consult a
qualified attorney before taking any legal action.