eService Center & Washington Courts FAQs

What is the statute that allows courts to mark a driver's license or driving permit after a DUI conviction?

Authority for courts to take and revoke drivers’ licenses upon conviction for DUI is contained in the following statutes: RCW 46.20.270  provisions include the following, as amended effective 7/1/2005:

(1) Whenever any person is convicted of any offense for which this title makes mandatory the withholding of the driving privilege of such person by the department, the court in which such conviction is had shall forthwith mark the person's Washington state driver's license or permit to drive, if any, in a manner authorized by the department. A valid driver's license or permit to drive marked under this subsection shall remain in effect until the person's driving privilege is withheld by the department pursuant to notice given under RCW 46.20.245, unless the license or permit expires or otherwise becomes invalid prior to the effective date of this action. Perfection of notice of appeal shall stay the execution of sentence including the withholding of the driving privilege.

In addition, RCW 46.20.285  includes the following provision:

The department [of licensing] shall revoke the license of any driver for the period of one calendar year unless otherwise provided in this section, upon receiving a record of the driver's conviction of any of the following offenses, when the conviction has become final:

. . .(3) Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a narcotic drug, or under the influence of any other drug to a degree which renders the driver incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle, for the period prescribed in RCW 46.61.5055;

RN ID 1026   |    Published 11/08/2004 10:52 AM   |    Updated 10/20/2009 11:52 AM