Washington criminal charge
Driving while license invalidated in Washington
Driving while license invalidated is a criminal offense under Washington law, defined by RCW 46.20.342. Its classification is not fixed: Washington assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by RCW 46.20.342.
How is driving while license invalidated classified in Washington?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driving while license suspended or revoked in the first degree | Gross Misdemeanor | Applies to a habitual offender under chapter 46.65 RCW who drives while an order of revocation under chapter 46.65 RCW prohibiting operation is in effect. | RCW 46.20.342(1)(a) |
| Driving while license suspended or revoked in the second degree | Gross Misdemeanor | Applies when a person drives while an order of suspension or revocation prohibiting operation is in effect and the person is not eligible to reinstate their license, other than for the reasons listed in (1)(c). | RCW 46.20.342(1)(b) |
| Driving while license suspended or revoked in the third degree | Misdemeanor | Applies when a person drives while their license is suspended or revoked solely for one or more of the enumerated administrative or procedural reasons listed in (1)(c)(i) through (viii). | RCW 46.20.342(1)(c) |
Common questions about driving while license invalidated in Washington
Is driving while license invalidated a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
It depends on the circumstances: driving while license invalidated ranges from a Misdemeanor to a Gross Misdemeanor in Washington under RCW 46.20.342.
Driving while license suspended or revoked in the first degree: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 46.20.342(1)(a)) · Driving while license suspended or revoked in the second degree: Gross Misdemeanor (RCW 46.20.342(1)(b)) · Driving while license suspended or revoked in the third degree: Misdemeanor (RCW 46.20.342(1)(c))
Which Washington statute covers driving while license invalidated?
Driving while license invalidated is governed by RCW 46.20.342 (Driving while license invalidated—Penalties—Extension of invalidation).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.