FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

If you are the driver or registered owner of a vehicle involved in an accident and are unable to furnish proof of financial responsibility, your driving privilege may be suspended. This applies to any accident resulting in personal injury or at least $500.00 or more in damage to property. If you are involved in such an accident and do not have liability insurance at the time, you may be required to do one of the following to avoid a suspension:

• Furnish releases from liability from all other persons injured or damaged.
• Furnish an agreement for payment to all other persons injured or damaged.
• Furnish a certified copy of a civil court decision finding you not liable.
• Deposit security in an amount sufficient to satisfy any civil court judgment which may be entered against you, and file proof of liability coverage for the future.

If you do not comply with one of these requirements, your driving privileges may be suspended. If the vehicle involved in an accident is being driven by the registered owner, the registration of that vehicle may be suspended.
The suspension may remain in effect for three years or until you comply with one of these requirements.

OCCUPATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE

An individual whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked may be eligible for an occupational driver's license, if the suspension or revocation is the result of a conviction for one of the following offenses:

• Driving or being in physical control of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Reckless driving;
• Hit and run (attended vehicle or injury.
• Racing.
• Driving while suspended or revoked.
• Felony involving a motor vehicle.
• Leaving a child unattended in a standing vehicle.

An occupational license can only be used for specific employment purposes and will be restricted to specific hours of the days, routes or area of travel, and particular vehicles. It cannot be used for such things as school, medical appointment, attending alcohol treatment classes, or shopping. It is also not available if there has been a suspension or revocation fora reason other than a conviction.

COURT ORDERED SUSPENSION—FAILURE TO APPEAR/RESPOND/PAY
OR COMPLY

If you do not meet the requirements of a citation issued to you, the court will notify DOL to suspend your driving privilege. The driving privilege will remain suspended until the court notifies DOL to release the suspension. If you receive an order of suspension for FTA—contact our office at 1-800-DWI-DRUG or the court indicated on the order for instructions on settling the FTA.

DRIVER AWARENESS PROGRAM

Approximately 90 percent of all Washington drivers will drive each year without receiving any traffic citations. When drivers begin to accumulate citations, this can signal the beginning of serious driving problems.
When a driver receives four citations in 12 months or five citations in 24 months, he or she is required to attend a Driver Awareness Interview to avoid a license suspension. The consequences of receiving these citations, as well as the benefits of maintaining a good driving record, are emphasized in the Driver Awareness Interview.
After the individual completes the Interview, that person's driving privilege is placed on a 12-month conditional status. Two or more citations received during this period will cause the driving privilege to be suspended for at least 30 days.
To reinstate the driving privilege following suspension for continuing to receive traffic violations, the driver must meet the following requirements:
• Provide proof of financial responsibility (SR-22)
• Pay the required re-issue fees
• Pay any unpaid traffic violation fines.