Washington record
Washington DUI license deadline
- What the state calls it
- DUI at 0.08 BAC or above for most adult drivers
- Administrative action
- Administrative suspension, revocation, or denial by the Department of Licensing under the implied consent law, contested by requesting a formal DUI hearing before a DOL administrative law judge
- Deadline to contest
- 7 calendar days
- What starts the clock
- RCW 46.20.308(7) allows a request "within seven days after the notice has been given." DOL states the request must be postmarked within 7 days of the arrest, or within 7 days of the date notice was given where the department gives notice later after a blood test.
- Agency
- Washington State Department of Licensing, Administrative Law Office
- How to request
- In writing, either through the DOL online portal or on the Request for DUI Hearing form (525001) by mail. A non refundable fee of 375 dollars must accompany the request. RCW 46.20.308(7) allows DOL to waive the fee for a person who is indigent as defined in RCW 10.101.010, using the fee waiver application.
- If the deadline passes
- The suspension, revocation, or denial takes effect without any administrative review, beginning 30 days from the date of arrest. DOL says a late hearing can still be requested by submitting the form and showing good cause, and that depending on timing your license may not yet be affected.
- Temporary permit
- Commonly 30 days
- If the test was refused
- The 7 day deadline is the same whether you refused or failed the test, but the consequence is not. Under RCW 46.20.3101 a first refusal within 7 years is a revocation or denial for one year, while a first test result of 0.08 or above is a 90 day suspension unless you complete or enroll in a pretrial 24/7 sobriety program.
- Statute
- RCW 46.20.308, RCW 46.20.3101, RCW 46.61.502
What this means after an arrest in Washington
An arrest in Washington normally starts two separate processes. The criminal DUI case goes to court on its own timetable. Separately, Washington State Department of Licensing, Administrative Law Office can act against your license, and you have 7 calendar days to contest that.
The clock is described in the source as: RCW 46.20.308(7) allows a request "within seven days after the notice has been given." DOL states the request must be postmarked within 7 days of the arrest, or within 7 days of the date notice was given where the department gives notice later after a blood test. That wording matters, because the date on your notice is what counts, not the date you got around to reading it.
What is different about Washington
Two things set Washington apart. There is a substantial fee to be heard at all, 375 dollars, non refundable, and waivable only if you qualify as indigent. And there is a wording gap worth knowing about: the statute measures the 7 days from when notice was given, while the DOL consumer page says 7 days from your arrest. In an ordinary roadside stop those are the same day. They can separate when the notice comes later from the department after a blood test, so use the date printed on your notice. If you do request a hearing in time, DOL says your privilege to drive continues uninterrupted until the judge decides.
What to do first
- Find the paperwork you were given at the roadside and check the date printed on it.
- Contact Washington State Department of Licensing, Administrative Law Office or a Washington defense attorney about the hearing request before the deadline above.
- Keep a copy of everything you send, with the date you sent it.
- Read what to do after a DUI arrest for the wider picture, including the criminal case.
Sources
- RCW 46.20.308 — Implied consent — Washington State Legislature (accessed 2026-08-20)
- RCW 46.20.3101 — Suspension, revocation, or denial periods — Washington State Legislature (accessed 2026-08-20)
- DUI (Driving Under the Influence) — Washington State Department of Licensing (accessed 2026-08-20)
- Requesting and preparing for a driver hearing — Washington State Department of Licensing (accessed 2026-08-20)
Change history
- 2026-08-20 — Record created from RCW 46.20.308, RCW 46.20.3101, and Department of Licensing pages. (casey-meraz)