Speed now, study later? Washington democrats push to swap license suspensions for driving courses
Mar 5, 2025, 1:12 PM
A proposal would allow drivers who broke the law to take driving courses instead of suspended license time. (Photo: WSDOT)
(Photo: WSDOT)
Democratic lawmakers in Washington are continuing their trend of easing penalties for repeat traffic offenders. This time, they are allowing drivers with multiple moving violations, like speeding, to take a safe driving course instead of serving a full 60-day license suspension.
The final vote in the House also underscores another partisan divide over bills that loosen penalties for offenders. All Democrats supported the bills, and all Republicans opposed them.
House Bill 1244 passed the state House on Monday with a straight party-line vote of 58-39. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Wylie (D-Vancouver) at the Department of Licensing’s request, is the latest effort by Democratic legislators to shift away from punitive measures in traffic enforcement.
The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
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How the bill works
Washington law mandates a 60-day driver’s license suspension for individuals who accumulate three moving violations within a year or four within two years. The suspension is followed by a one-year probation period, during which any additional moving violation results in a 30-day extension.
Under HB 1244, drivers who receive notice of a pending suspension for multiple infractions can complete a DOL-approved safe-driving course to have their suspension terminated early. They must still meet requirements for proof of automobile insurance and pay any necessary licensing fees.
This alternative to suspension would be available only once every five years.
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Democrats argue education over punishment
Supporters of the bill argue that mandatory education will have a longer-lasting impact on driver behavior than simply taking away driving privileges.
“This is a department request bill that would allow a driver’s training option,” said Rep. Wylie before the House floor vote. “Someone who has had a license suspended because of three moving violations within a year can get that license back a little bit earlier if they complete this class.”
Wylie acknowledged concerns over multiple moving violations but noted that many common infractions may not necessarily indicate dangerous driving.
“Is there anybody you can think of that hasn’t gone 10 over the speed limit? 35 in a 25? I don’t know of anybody,” she said. “These are the kinds of things that can add up to a pattern of carelessness that could end very, very badly. I’m all in favor of consequences, but learning the rules of the road thoroughly with the threat of a suspended license, I think, is good training and a good consequence.”
If the bill becomes law, Washington would join 25 other states that already offer similar training-based alternatives to license suspension.
Republicans and critics say public safety is at risk
Opponents of the bill argue that lowering penalties for repeat traffic offenders could put public safety at risk.
“Over the last several years, we have seen tragic statistics in our state,” said Rep. Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia). “Statistics on our highways, of some of the highest fatalities that we’ve seen in decades… there needs to be a deterrent to the behavior that we’re seeing.”
Barkis emphasized that drivers receive multiple warnings before facing suspension, suggesting that reducing penalties could fail to deter repeat offenders.
“It takes quite a bit to get a suspended license. It takes many different instances of a violation,” he said. “Most of the time when we’re seeing a suspended license, these are for egregious acts that have been committed—one, two, three times—and so that license should be suspended.”
Barkis argued that penalties serve an important role in discouraging reckless driving.
“Education is important, but so are penalties, so are deterrents,” Barkis said. “With that, I think that it would be best if we work on that deterrent, as opposed to education after the fact.”
If approved by the Senate and signed into law, SHB 1244 will take effect on April 1, 2026.
Matt Markovich is the KIRO Newsradio political analyst. Follow him on X.
