Recent Washington DUI Law Changes
What changed, when it took effect, and who it affects.
January 1, 2026
Impaired driving changes (ESHB 1493): interlock licenses and a second deferred prosecution
Expanded who can get an ignition interlock driver license and requires courts to tell DOL right away when they order an interlock restriction. It also lets a person who already had a DUI deferred prosecution get a second one, but only in certain circumstances.
January 1, 2025
Felony DUI lookback extended to 15 years (ESB 5032)
A DUI or Physical Control now becomes a felony if you have three or more prior DUI-related offenses within 15 years, up from 10. The law also created a treatment-based sentencing alternative for some felony DUI offenders.
Official sources
- Washington DOL — DUI (Driving Under the Influence)
- Washington DOL — Requesting and preparing for a driver hearing
- Washington DOL — Request for DUI Hearing form
- Washington DOL — Ignition interlock device (IID)
- Washington DOL — Financial responsibility (SR-22)
- Washington DOL — CDL disqualification for test refusal
- Washington DOL — Deferred prosecution
- Washington State Patrol — Ignition Interlock
- RCW 46.61.502 — Driving under the influence
- RCW 46.61.5055 — Penalty schedule
- RCW 46.20.308 — Implied consent
- RCW 46.20.285 — Offenses requiring revocation
- Chapter 9.96 RCW — Vacating convictions
- Washington Courts — DUI Sentencing Grid (January 2026)
- Washington Courts — Instructions for vacating a misdemeanor conviction
- Senate Bill Report — SSB 5067 (2026), as passed Senate
- Washington DOL — Ignition Interlock Driver License (IIL)
- RCW 46.61.5056 — Alcohol and drug information school and treatment
- Washington Legislature — Title 10 RCW (Criminal Procedure), 2024 edition
- Washington Courts — Courts of Limited Jurisdiction court rules
- Senate Bill Report — ESHB 1493 (2024), ignition interlock
- Final Bill Report — ESHB 1493 (C 306 L 24)
- Senate Bill Report — ESB 5032 (2024), as passed Senate
- Washington Legislature — SB 5032 bill summary (2023–24)
- RCW 46.20.311 — Duration of license sanctions
- Seattle Municipal Court
- Seattle Municipal Court — About us
- Washington Courts — A Citizen’s Guide to Washington Courts
- Clark County District Court
- City of Vancouver — City Attorney’s Office
- City of Bellevue — Criminal Prosecution Division
Educational information, not legal advice. Washington law changes and every case is different. Confirm deadlines with Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) and talk to a licensed Washington attorney about your situation.
Some details on this page are still being verified against official sources. Check the linked sources before relying on a specific number or deadline.
Last reviewed October 1, 2026.