DUI and Car Insurance in Washington State: SR-22, Interlock, Cancellation and Your Record
Seven days. That's how long you have after a DUI arrest in Washington to ask the Department of Licensing (DOL) for a hearing before it suspends your license. Miss it, and the suspension starts 30 days after the arrest whether or not you've been to court. Everything that happens to your car insurance runs through that license.
Here's the part most people get backwards. A DUI doesn't change your policy the day you're arrested. Washington's cancellation law doesn't even list a DUI conviction as a reason an insurer can cancel a policy midterm. What it lists is a suspended or revoked license (RCW 48.18.291). And the suspension brings the rest with it: an SR-22 filing for about three years, an ignition interlock for at least a year, a $170 reissue fee, and a driving record your next insurer will read.
Below is the whole chain, in the order it happens, with the statute behind each step. This isn't legal advice. If you've been charged, the first call is to a criminal defense attorney, not an insurance agent.
Source: RCW 46.20.308; DOL, Financial responsibility (SR-22); RCW 46.20.720; RCW 46.20.311 (accessed Nov. 3, 2026).
One arrest, two license actions
Washington's DUI law, RCW 46.61.502, covers driving with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more within two hours after driving, a THC blood concentration of 5.00 or more, or driving while "under the influence of or affected by" alcohol, cannabis or any drug. You don't have to be over a number to be charged. RCW 46.61.504 makes the same conduct a crime when you're only in "actual physical control" of the vehicle; it doesn't apply if you moved the car safely off the road before an officer started pursuing you. DOL's own summary adds the lower limits for commercial drivers (.04) and drivers under 21 (.02).
A DUI is a gross misdemeanor. It becomes a class B felony with three or more prior offenses within 15 years, or with any prior vehicular homicide or vehicular assault conviction tied to alcohol or drugs, or a prior felony DUI or physical control conviction. That look-back is now 15 years because of a 2024 law (chapter 306, Laws of 2024) that took effect January 1, 2026.
The legal limit is still 0.08. Senate Bill 5067 would have lowered it to 0.05 (Senate bill report). It passed the Senate 26 to 23 on January 28, 2026, never got a committee vote in the House, and was sent back to the Senate Rules Committee on March 12. It's not law.
The piece that matters for insurance is this: DOL describes two separate license actions for one DUI, one for the arrest and one for the conviction (DOL, DUI). The arrest action is administrative and runs through DOL. The criminal case runs through the court and is where fines and jail come from. Winning the DOL hearing doesn't stop a suspension that follows a conviction, and if a court later reduces the charge to reckless or negligent driving, DOL says the arrest suspension isn't reduced.
From arrest to reinstatement
| When | What happens | Law |
|---|---|---|
| At arrest | The officer serves notice of DOL's intent to suspend, your hearing rights, and a temporary license valid for 30 days | RCW 46.20.308(5) |
| Within 72 hours | The officer sends DOL a sworn report (a blood test can delay this) | RCW 46.20.308(5)(d) |
| Within 7 days | Deadline to request a DOL hearing in writing, with a $375 fee (waivable if indigent); a mailed request must be postmarked within 7 days | RCW 46.20.308(7) |
| Within 30 days of the request | DOL holds the hearing (weekends and holidays excluded) | RCW 46.20.308(7) |
| Day 30 after arrest, or earlier if a hearing upholds it | The administrative suspension starts, unless you asked for a hearing in time and the law judge rules for you | RCW 46.20.308(6); DOL |
| After a conviction | DOL's conviction suspension starts 45 days after it gets the court's notice, with day-for-day credit for time already served | DOL; RCW 46.61.5055(9)(b) |
| After reinstatement | Five years of probationary status and a probationary license ($50) | RCW 46.20.355 |
Source: RCW 46.20.308; RCW 46.20.355; DOL, DUI; DOL, Requesting a driver hearing (accessed Nov. 3, 2026).
The hearing is narrow. A DOL law judge looks at whether the arrest was lawful, whether the officer had reasonable grounds, whether you got the implied consent warnings, and whether a test was refused or showed a result over the limit. DOL is clear that the judge can only uphold or dismiss the proposed suspension; there's no "half suspension." That's a question for your attorney, and the seven-day clock is why you want one quickly.
If you plan to ask the court for a deferred prosecution, DOL wants to hear about it on its Intent to Seek Deferred Prosecution form. It can postpone the administrative suspension for up to 150 days after charges are filed or 2 years after the arrest, whichever is shorter. That postponement isn't available if you refused the breath or blood test.
Court penalties by offense
The criminal penalties are set by RCW 46.61.5055. They depend on two things: how many prior offenses you have within seven years (counted arrest to arrest, before or after), and whether your alcohol concentration was 0.15 or more. Refusing the test puts you in the higher tier. For a gross misdemeanor DUI, the maximum jail term is 364 days at every tier.
| Situation | Mandatory minimum jail | Electronic home monitoring | Fine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st offense, under 0.15 | 24 consecutive hours (or 15 days home monitoring or 90 days 24/7 sobriety instead) | None required | $350 to $5,000 |
| 1st offense, 0.15+ or refused | 48 consecutive hours (or 30 days home monitoring or 120 days 24/7 sobriety instead) | None required | $500 to $5,000 |
| 2nd in 7 years, under 0.15 | 30 days | 60 days | $500 to $5,000 |
| 2nd in 7 years, 0.15+ or refused | 45 days | 90 days | $750 to $5,000 |
| 3rd in 7 years, under 0.15 | 90 days, plus 6 months of 24/7 sobriety if available | 120 days | $1,000 to $5,000 |
| 3rd in 7 years, 0.15+ or refused | 120 days, plus 6 months of 24/7 sobriety if available | 150 days | $1,500 to $5,000 |
| 4th or more in 15 years | Felony sentencing under chapter 9.94A RCW |
Source: RCW 46.61.5055; RCW 46.61.502 (accessed Nov. 3, 2026).
Two add-ons people miss. Every DUI conviction comes with an ignition interlock order (RCW 46.61.5055(5)). And a passenger under 16 in the car adds interlock time (12 or 18 months per child, depending on the tier) plus extra jail and a fine of at least $1,000 per child on a first offense.
The probation conditions are where insurance shows up in the criminal case. When the court imposes jail, it also suspends up to five years of confinement with mandatory conditions, and one of them is not driving without liability insurance or other proof of financial responsibility. Each violation of a mandatory condition means 30 days in jail that can't be suspended. So a lapse in coverage during probation isn't just a DOL problem.
How long the license is gone
Source: RCW 46.61.5055(9)(a), accessed Nov. 3, 2026
Show the numbers
| Offense | Days |
|---|---|
| 1st offense, under 0.15 | 90 |
| 1st offense, 0.15 or higher | 365 |
| 1st offense, test refused | 730 |
| 2nd in 7 years, under 0.15 | 730 |
| 2nd in 7 years, 0.15 or higher | 900 |
| 2nd in 7 years, test refused | 1,095 |
| 3rd in 7 years, under 0.15 | 1,095 |
| 3rd in 7 years, 0.15+ or refused | 1,460 |
Those are the court-side numbers. The arrest side, under RCW 46.20.3101, is separate: 90 days for a first test at 0.08 or more (or 5.00 THC) unless you complete or enroll in a pretrial 24/7 sobriety program, and 2 years for a second within seven years. Refusing the test means a 1-year revocation for a first refusal and 2 years for a second. DOL credits time served on one track against the other for the same incident, so you don't serve both back to back.
Why this matters for insurance: the SR-22 clock in the next sections doesn't start until you're eligible to reinstate. A 900-day revocation pushes the whole insurance timeline out by almost two and a half years.
The ignition interlock
The interlock is a breath tester wired into the ignition. Under RCW 46.20.720, it stops the car from starting at a breath alcohol of 0.020 or more unless a court sets something else. How long you have to keep it:
| Your interlock history | Minimum restriction |
|---|---|
| No prior interlock restriction | 1 year |
| A prior 1-year restriction | 5 years |
| A prior 5-year restriction | 10 years |
| Passenger under 16 in the car | Plus 12 or 18 months per child |
Source: RCW 46.20.720; RCW 46.61.5055 (accessed Nov. 3, 2026).
Three rules decide when it actually comes off. The restriction stays until the vendor certifies 180 straight days with no violations, such as a start attempt at 0.04 or more, a missed random test, or a missed service appointment. The clock stops (it's "tolled") for any stretch when you don't have a device installed. And time you drove with a device on an ignition interlock license counts day for day toward the post-conviction restriction.
That last rule is why many people get an ignition interlock driver's license (IIL) right away. Under RCW 46.20.385 you can apply any time, including right after you get the arrest notices. You need a device on every vehicle you drive, a $100 application fee (RCW 46.20.380), the $21 monthly fee paid through the interlock company, and this: "satisfactory proof of financial responsibility." DOL's IIL page puts it plainly: get an SR-22, and "a car insurance agent can help you with this." An IIL doesn't let you drive a commercial vehicle.
The SR-22 and the fees
An SR-22 is a certificate your insurer files with DOL saying you carry at least Washington's minimum liability limits: $25,000 for one person's injuries, $50,000 for all injuries, and $10,000 for property damage per accident. The DUI connection is in RCW 46.20.311(1)(b): a suspension "by reason of a conviction," or under the implied consent law (RCW 46.20.308), stays in effect "until the person gives and thereafter maintains proof of financial responsibility for the future." DOL's answer on how long is "in most cases, 3 years from the date you're eligible to reinstate your license."
It won't end automatically at three years if anything new lands on your record. Under RCW 46.29.600, DOL lets the proof be canceled after three years only if it has no record of a conviction or infraction in the prior three years that would require or permit a suspension. And if the policy lapses, the insurer has to tell DOL at least 10 days before the coverage ends, and DOL suspends you again until a new filing arrives (RCW 46.29.500, RCW 46.29.280). The full mechanics are in my Washington SR-22 guide.
The state's fees on top of all this are fixed by statute:
Source: RCW 46.20.308(7), 46.20.311, 46.20.380, 46.20.355(5), 46.20.385(6), accessed Nov. 3, 2026
Show the numbers
| Fee | Fee |
|---|---|
| DOL hearing request (waivable if indigent) | $375 |
| License reissue fee after a DUI or implied-consent action | $170 |
| Ignition interlock license application | $100 |
| Probationary license, each issue or renewal | $50 |
| Interlock program fee, per month | $21 |
Reinstatement also needs proof you've enrolled in and are taking part in substance use disorder treatment, and, where an interlock is required, the installer's verification (RCW 46.20.311(1)(c)). DOL's DUI page lists the pieces: the paid fee, interlock compliance, the alcohol assessment and treatment report, and "financial responsibility compliance, if applicable." Your suspension letter is the document that controls your case.
What your insurer can and can't do
Washington's auto cancellation statute protects a policy once it's been in force for 60 days. After that, an insurer can cancel midterm for only two reasons: nonpayment, or the license of the named insured, or of anyone who customarily drives an insured car, being suspended, revoked or canceled. A DUI conviction on its own isn't on the list. A DUI suspension is. For a renewal policy, a suspension in the 180 days before the renewal date counts too.
| Situation | What Washington law allows | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Policy in force under 60 days | Cancel with at least 20 days' written notice and the reason (10 days if within the first 30 days or for nonpayment) | RCW 48.18.291(1) |
| Policy in force 60+ days, DUI arrest but license not yet suspended | No midterm cancellation for that reason; only nonpayment or a suspended, revoked or canceled license | RCW 48.18.291(2) |
| Your license (or a regular driver's) is suspended or revoked | Cancellation allowed, with 20 days' notice and the reason stated in the notice | RCW 48.18.291(2), (4) |
| End of the policy term | Nonrenewal allowed with at least 20 days' written notice giving the actual reason | RCW 48.18.292 |
| You want the reason in writing | On written request, the insurer must explain a cancellation, denial or nonrenewal in simple language | RCW 48.30.320 |
| Accidents on your record | No cancellation, nonrenewal, denial or rate increase based on abstract accident information unless you were at fault | RCW 46.52.130(2)(e)(iii) |
Source: RCW 48.18.291; RCW 48.18.292; RCW 48.30.320; RCW 46.52.130; OIC, Learn how auto insurance works (accessed Nov. 3, 2026).
Notice what's not in that table: price. The cancellation statutes limit when a policy can end; they don't set what a renewal costs. I'm not going to quote a percentage, because I haven't found a neutral, Washington-specific figure I'd stand behind, and the effect depends on the insurer's filed rating plan and the rest of your record. What I can say is that an SR-22 is a filing, not a coverage, and some insurers won't make it. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) says so directly: "Not all companies will file SR 22s for you."
If a cancellation notice arrives, check the date it was mailed against the policy's start date, the reason given, and the effective date. The Washington auto insurance cancellation laws post walks through the notice rules in detail. And don't let the policy lapse while you sort it out. Driving uninsured carries its own penalties, covered in what happens if you drive without insurance in Washington.
What insurers see on your record, and for how long
This is the most useful number in the post for anyone shopping coverage later. Under RCW 46.52.130, the driving record abstract DOL can give an insurance company covers "not more than the last three years." An insurer can get it if it insures you, if you've applied to it, or if it insures your employer. DOL charges $15 per abstract.
Three more rules shape what that abstract shows:
- A deferred prosecution is left off the insurer's abstract. If you're removed from the deferred prosecution, the abstract shows both the deferral and the removal.
- Probationary status isn't shared. RCW 46.20.355(6) says the fact that your privilege is on probation, or that you hold a probationary license, "shall not be a part of the person's record that is available to insurance companies."
- Your full record is a different thing. Courts and DOL use the full driving record to count prior offenses, and the seven-year and 15-year look-backs run from arrest dates. The three-year limit is about what insurers can buy from DOL, not what DOL keeps.
Put the timelines next to each other and you'll see why a DUI follows people longer than they expect. Example: say a first-offense arrest in March 2027 with a test at 0.15 or higher. The 90-day arrest suspension starts in April. A conviction brings a 1-year revocation, with the 90 days already served credited toward it. If the time runs back to back, you'd be eligible to reinstate around April 2028, and the SR-22 would run to around April 2031, while the conviction sits inside the insurer's three-year abstract window for most of that stretch. Even the arrest suspension alone carries the SR-22 condition (RCW 46.20.311(1)(b) covers suspensions under the implied consent law). Any insurer that files your SR-22 knows about the requirement for as long as the filing runs. These dates are hypothetical; your letter and your record set the real ones.
No car? You may still need a policy
Plenty of people sell the car after a DUI, or never owned one. That doesn't remove the requirement. Washington recognizes an operator's policy, usually called a non-owner policy, in RCW 46.29.490: it covers your liability when you drive a vehicle you don't own, with the same 25/50/10 minimums, and it can back an SR-22. If you want an IIL, you need the proof of financial responsibility whether or not there's a car in your name.
Two cautions. An operator's policy doesn't cover a car you own, so tell your agent before you buy one. And the minimums are low for anyone with assets to protect; higher limits or an umbrella policy are worth asking about once you're back in the regular market.
If nobody will write you
Washington has a backstop. RCW 48.22.020 requires every insurer licensed to write auto liability here to take part in a plan that spreads drivers who are "in good faith entitled to but are unable to procure" coverage among them. OIC calls it the Automobile Insurance Plan and says it "must offer auto insurance coverage to hard-to-insure drivers who can't get coverage." You or an agent can apply. One trade-off: the cancellation protections in RCW 48.18.291 through .297 don't apply to assigned-risk policies (RCW 48.18.296). The Washington Automobile Insurance Plan post covers how it works.
If you think an insurer broke the rules, OIC's consumer advocacy line is 800-562-6900.
What I'd do, in order
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| The day of the arrest | Call a criminal defense attorney. Note the 7-day hearing deadline on the paperwork the officer gave you. |
| Before your temporary license runs out | Decide with your attorney about the hearing and any deferred prosecution; if you'll need to drive, start the IIL process (device, SR-22, $100 fee) |
| When you get an SR-22 | Ask the agent whether the insurer files Washington SR-22s and whether it's an owner's or operator's policy; confirm DOL shows the filing (7 to 10 business days) |
| If a notice arrives from your insurer | Check the reason and dates against RCW 48.18.291; ask for reasons in writing if they're unclear; line up replacement coverage before the end date |
| During the SR-22 and probation years | Automatic payments, no gaps when switching, interlock appointments kept |
| About three years after reinstatement | Confirm with DOL (360-902-3900) that the requirement is met before you drop the filing |
Source: RCW 46.20.308; RCW 46.20.385; DOL, Ignition interlock driver license; DOL, SR-22; RCW 48.18.291; RCW 46.29.600 (accessed Nov. 3, 2026).
Our Washington auto insurance page and the Washington insurance FAQ cover the coverage basics if you're rebuilding a policy from scratch.
FAQ
Can my insurance cancel me for a DUI in Washington?
After a policy has been in force 60 days, Washington law allows midterm cancellation only for nonpayment or a suspended, revoked or canceled license of the named insured or a regular driver. A DUI suspension qualifies; the conviction alone isn't listed. At the end of the term, an insurer can nonrenew with 20 days' written notice and the actual reason.
How long do you need an SR-22 after a DUI in Washington?
DOL says proof of financial responsibility is required in most cases for 3 years from the date you're eligible to reinstate your license. It can end only if DOL has no record of a new qualifying conviction or violation in the prior three years.
How long does a DUI stay on your record for insurance in Washington?
The driving record abstract DOL can give an insurance company covers not more than the last three years. That limit applies to what insurers can get; courts and DOL still count prior DUI offenses within seven years, or 15 years for felony DUI.
How long do you have to request a DUI hearing in Washington?
Seven days after you get the notice, usually at arrest. The request must be in writing with a $375 fee, which can be waived if you're indigent. Without a hearing, the suspension starts 30 days after the arrest.
Do I need insurance for an ignition interlock license if I don't own a car?
Yes. An ignition interlock driver's license requires proof of financial responsibility, usually an SR-22. A non-owner (operator's) policy can provide it if you don't own a vehicle.
This is general information about Washington law, not legal advice. For a DUI charge, talk to a criminal defense attorney. Your DOL letter, your policy wording and state law control; confirm your situation with DOL, a licensed agent or the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
Sources
- RCW 46.61.502: Driving under the influence
- RCW 46.61.504: Physical control of vehicle under the influence
- RCW 46.61.5055: Alcohol and drug violators, penalty schedule
- RCW 9.94A.661 notes: effective date of chapter 306, Laws of 2024 (Jan. 1, 2026)
- RCW 46.20.308: Implied consent, notice and hearing
- RCW 46.20.3101: Implied consent, license sanctions
- RCW 46.20.311: Duration of license sanctions, reissue fees
- RCW 46.20.355: Probationary license
- RCW 46.20.380: Restricted license application fee
- RCW 46.20.385: Ignition interlock driver's license
- RCW 46.20.720: Ignition interlock restriction
- RCW 46.29.260: Proof of financial responsibility for the future
- RCW 46.29.280: Suspension continues until proof furnished
- RCW 46.29.490: Owner's and operator's policies
- RCW 46.29.500: Notice of cancellation of certified policy
- RCW 46.29.600: Duration of proof
- RCW 46.52.130: Driving record abstracts
- RCW 48.18.291: Auto policy cancellation
- RCW 48.18.292: Auto policy renewal
- RCW 48.18.296: Exceptions (assigned risk plan)
- RCW 48.30.320: Reasons for cancellation on request
- RCW 48.22.020: Assigned risk plans
- Washington Legislature: SB 5067 (2025-26) bill history
- Senate bill report, SSB 5067
- Washington DOL: DUI (driving under the influence)
- Washington DOL: Requesting and preparing for a driver hearing
- Washington DOL: Deferred prosecution
- Washington DOL: Ignition interlock driver license (IIL)
- Washington DOL: Financial responsibility (SR-22)
- Washington OIC: What if I can't find auto coverage?
- Washington OIC: Learn how auto insurance works
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not legal, tax or insurance advice. Coverage depends on the actual policy, its terms, conditions and exclusions, and state law. Maru Insurance · WA License (WAOIC) #1365574 · FL License #G363233 · NPN 22261820.