Washington: Full Rule Record
Confirm with your court or DMV. Traffic-code rules change and vary by court — verify the current rule on Washington’s official .gov page or with the court handling your citation before you act. This rule is compiled at medium confidence and should be confirmed before you rely on it. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Washington operates a point reduction mechanism that allows offenders to keep infractions off their permanent record. The frequency at which points may be reduced is determined by the individual course provider and court, rather than by a uniform statewide schedule. Points reduction serves to prevent traffic violations from remaining on a driver's record.
The state does not establish fixed statewide costs or course hour requirements; these figures vary based on the approved provider and the specific court handling the case. Drivers seeking point reduction should consult their local court and approved traffic safety course providers for accurate pricing and program length information. Complete and authoritative details are available through Washington State's official government resources.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| State | Washington |
| Mechanism | Point reduction |
| What that means | removes/credits points; conviction stays |
| Eligibility / notes | For a level 1/2 offense, defensive driving can keep points off the record (eligibility limited). |
| Frequency | course-dependent |
| Points effect | keeps offense off record |
| Governing statute | Not yet pinned — see source |
| Confidence | Medium |
Primary source: https://dol.wa.gov/. Verified June 2026. How we compile this.
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