eService Center - Administrative Office of the Courts

Are there amnesty programs in Washington that will enable me to regain my driver's license?

The Washington State Department of Licensing has an online program where you can Check the status of a driver license. You will need the number from a Washington State driver's license, permit, or ID card to use the service. 

For traffic fines due in any Washington State court, please contact that specific court to see if they have a re-licensing program.  The court contact information can be found in the Court Directory located on the Washington Courts public web site, www.courts.wa.gov.

Other FAQs on amnesty/licensing reinstatement programs:

Q. Have there been any state sponsored reinstatement/amnesty programs in the State of Washington?
 A. Yes. During May 2009, many courts in the state offered court-fine debt reduction / re-licensing programs. Many courts extended the program through June 2009. Washington State Supreme Court Justice Gerry Alexander encouraged all district and municipal court judges in Washington State to join the program. The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) does not have a list of the courts that participated. For more information on the 2009 program, see the Washington Courts press release: http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/?fa=newsinfo.pressdetail&newsid=1418.

Q. How was it determined when this program was offered and which courts participated?
 A. That year's project coordinator volunteered to spearhead the effort and the District and Municipal Court Management Association (DMCMA) supported the project. It is not necessarily offered every year. It is up to each court whether or not to join the program. Any court, regardless of size, may participate.

Q. What is the number of outstanding Failure to Appear (FTA) notices on outstanding infractions in Washington State and how much do these fines total?
 A. There are currently over 1.5 million FTAs on outstanding infractions. The total dollar amount has not been projected. However, in 2002, the last year that this program was offered by courts throughout the state, more than 10,000 cases were closed and revenue in the amount of $1,850,000 was collected. Yakima County District Court also offered this program in October 2005.

See also:  Reinstating a Washington State driver's license.

Published 11/01/2004 12:03 PM   |    Updated 08/07/2018 12:13 PM