If your license is suspended in Washington, do not just pay a ticket online and start driving.
The Department of Licensing (DOL) treats “clearing the hold” and “getting your license back” as two different steps. If you drive before you have the valid physical card in your hand (or a temporary paper one), you can be arrested for DWLS (Driving While License Suspended).
This guide explains how to check your specific holds, the exact cost to clear them ($75 vs $150), and how to file that confusing SR-22 form.
Step 1: Diagnose Your Washington License Holds in License eXpress
You cannot fix the problem if you don’t know which court suspended you. A suspension could be from a unpaid ticket in Spokane, a DUI in Seattle, or unpaid child support.
How to Check:
- Log in to License eXpress.
- Look for the “Reinstatement” section.
- The “Letter of Requirements”: The system will generate a customized list of exactly what you need to do. It might say “Pay $75” or it might say “Install Ignition Interlock.”
- Pro-Tip: If the list is confusing, you can order your Washington driving record to see the specific court dates and case numbers causing the hold.
Step 2: Clear Court Tickets, Child Support, and Alcohol/Drug Requirements
You must fix the cause before the DOL will talk to you.
- Unpaid Tickets: You must contact the specific court (e.g., King County District Court) and pay the fine or set up a payment plan. The court generally takes 2–3 business days to notify the DOL.
- Child Support: You must contact DSHS and get a release notice.
- Alcohol/Drug Offenses: You may need to complete a substance abuse assessment.
Step 3: Washington SR-22 Insurance Rule (3-Year High-Risk Filing Requirement)
If your suspension was for reckless driving, DUI, or driving without insurance, you must file a Certificate of Financial Responsibility.
The Washington Rule: Unlike some states that only require it for a year, Washington typically mandates you maintain this high-risk filing for 3 consecutive years.
- Action: You must contact your insurance provider to request this filing. If you are unfamiliar with how this impacts your policy, read our full guide on SR-22 insurance to understand the costs and coverage requirements.
- Warning: If you miss a single payment, your insurance company is legally required to notify the DOL, and your license will be suspended again immediately.
Step 4: Washington Reinstatement Fees in 2026 ($75 vs $150 by Suspension Type)
Once the courts are happy and the SR-22 is filed, you must pay the DOL for the privilege of returning.
| Suspension Type | Reinstatement Fee (2026) |
| Standard (Tickets, etc.) | $75.00 |
| Alcohol / Drug Related | $150.00 |
| Criminal Non-Alcohol | $75.00 |
How to Pay:
- Online: Via License eXpress (Fastest).
- In-Person: At a Driver Licensing Office (LSO).
Step 5: License Reissue After Suspension (Renewals, Address Changes, and Revocations)
This is where people get arrested. Just because you paid the $75 fee does not mean your license is valid.
- Scenario A: Your License is Unexpired If your physical card is still valid (not expired), the system updates, and you are good to go.
- Scenario B: Your License Expired During Suspension You must renew it. You will pay the $54 renewal fee on top of the reinstatement fee.
- Note: If your address changed while you were suspended, make sure to update your address with the DOL so your new card goes to the right place.
- Scenario C: You were “Revoked” (Not Suspended) If your license was revoked (usually for 1+ years), your license is dead. You must apply for a brand new one. This means taking the written test and road test again.
- Booking: You’ll need to schedule a visit. Check our guide on Washington DOL appointments to get a slot for your written test.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is called an Occupational / Restricted License (ORL). You can apply if your suspension is for something non-criminal (like unpaid tickets). If it’s for DUI, you need an Ignition Interlock License (IIL).
No. It takes time for the court to tell the DOL. Always check your status on License eXpress to see “Valid” before you drive.
Yes, you can sell it. However, if you need to transfer the title to a family member, they will need to handle the paperwork. See our guide on Washington title transfers for the forms required.
You can register a car in your name even if suspended, but you cannot drive it. If you need to move it, you might need a friend to drive it, or you can buy a Trip Permit ($33) if you just need to get it to a parking spot legal for storage.
Conclusion
Reinstatement is a 3-step dance: Clear the Court, File the SR-22, and Pay the DOL. Do not skip a step. Log in to License eXpress today to see your specific requirements, and keep your receipt in the glove box for a few weeks—just in case the database is slow to update.
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