Washington Washington’s all -offender ignition interlock law went into effect on January 1, 2009. From 2006 to 2020 in Washington, interlocks stopped 147,435 attempts to drive drunk with a breath alcohol concentration of .08 or greater, including 14,089 attempts to drive drunk in 2020. Why does MADD call the law all-offender? All drunk drivers must use an interlock in order to drive during a court ordered or driver license agency-imposed license suspension.
Grade: C+ (77/100) Washington’s all -offender law contains many important pieces to ensure implementation of interlocks for drunk drivers. However, the state’s could improve their law by ensuring all drunk drivers use an interlock before obtaining an unrestricted driver’s license.
Process to obtain an ignition interlock 1. Check with the Washington state DOL for steps required to reinstate your license. 2. Schedule an appointment to have an interlock device installed. 3. Pay all DUI, court and license reinstatement fees. Ignition Interlock Law Overview and MADD Legislative Recommendations How soon can an ignition interlock be installed? Duration on ignition interlock First offense Upon arrest* 1 year Second offense Upon arrest* 5 years First refusal Upon arrest* 1 year
*If a person foregoes an administrative license revocation hearing. Can a drunk driver wait out an interlock order?
Yes
Any person who has a license suspended for a drunk driving offense, must use an ignition interlock for at least six months before obtaining a non-interlock driver's license.
Legislative Recommendation
Compliance based removal? Yes The interlock requirement won’t be removed until we receive notice from the interlock company that you haven’t done any of the following in the previous 4 months: 1) Tried to start the vehicle with a breath alcohol content of .04 or more, 2) Failed to take or pass any required retest, 3) Failed to get scheduled maintenance, repairs, calibration, monitoring, inspection, or replacement of the device. Day-for-Day credit for early installation? Yes Interlocks required for plea agreements or diversion? Yes Affordability program? Yes This program is funded by DUI offenders who can afford to pay an extra $20.00 per month (this process funds the indigent program). The indigent driver just needs to complete a DOL Assistance program form to apply for indigence and DOL will approve or disapprove the applicant). Sources: §46.20.740, §46.20.385, Washington Department of Licensing, Washington State Patrol.
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