Washington

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Washington. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Washington
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1990.

Washington
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

6 or 8 years

Washington
Provisions for Mature Drivers

70 and over: no electronic renewal

Washington
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

Per se >0 for some drugs

Washington
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use

Washington
Marijuana Impaired Driving

THC per se (5 ng)

Washington
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

70

Washington
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

60

Washington
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

60

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Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

60

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Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

60

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Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

60

Washington
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for all convictions

Washington
Open container laws

yes

Washington
Repeat Offender Laws

No

Washington
Increased penalty for high BAC

0.15

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Administrative license suspension on first offense

90 days

Washington
Limited driving privileges during suspension

With an ignition interlock driver's license

Washington
Child Restraint Required

Under 2 years – rear-facing child restraint

2 to 4 years – child restraint with harness (rear or forward-facing)

4 years and older – car or booster seat until 4’9”

Up to age 13 years – must ride in back seat when practical

Washington
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

4’9” or taller

Adult seat belt fits properly

40 lbs or over in seating position with only lap belt

Washington
Full Privilege Minimum Age

18 years

Washington
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15 15 / 6 without driver's ed.

Washington
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

Washington
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

50 (10)

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Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Washington
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

1 a.m. - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)

Washington
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 6 months: no passengers under 20 Remainder: no more than 3 passengers under 20 (secondary enforcement)

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Type of Law

Primary

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Who is Covered?

Over 16 or over 4'9"

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In What Seat?

All

Washington
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Washington
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

Washington
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

No

Washington
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers with learner or intermediate license. Primary law.

Washington
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Washington
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

School speed zones; in cities west of the Cascade Mountains, only one camera and upon state legislative approval

Washington
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law and city ordinance

Washington
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Statewide; at intersections of two arterials

Drunk Driving Repeat Offenses Drop With Ignition Interlock Removal Laws

States that have laws to govern when ignition interlock devices may be removed from drunk driving offenders’ vehicles have significantly lower rates of repeat driving under the influence (DUI) offenses than states which do not. Those are the main findings of a new study recently released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices, that addressed measures to help reduce the number of drunk driving repeat incidents.

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