Washington statute
RCW 46.20.740 — Notation on driving record—Verification of interlock—Penalty, exception
Current through 2026 Regular Session
Part of Chapter 46.20: Drivers' Licenses—Identicards, Revised Code of Washington.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of RCW 46.20.740
Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official text of the Revised Code of Washington from the Code Reviser's published files; it is not the official statutes of the State of Washington.
(1) The department shall attach or imprint a notation on the driving record of any person restricted under RCW 46.20.720, 46.61.5055, or 10.05.140 stating that the person may operate only a motor vehicle equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device. The department shall determine the person's eligibility for licensing based upon written verification by a company doing business in the state that it has installed the required device on a vehicle owned or operated by the person seeking reinstatement. If, based upon notification from the interlock provider or otherwise, the department determines that an ignition interlock required under this section is no longer installed or functioning as required, the department shall suspend the person's license or privilege to drive. Whenever the license or driving privilege of any person is suspended or revoked as a result of noncompliance with an ignition interlock requirement, the suspension shall remain in effect until the person provides notice issued by a company doing business in the state that a vehicle owned or operated by the person is equipped with a functioning ignition interlock device.
(2) It is a gross misdemeanor for a person with such a notation on his or her driving record to operate a motor vehicle that is not so equipped, unless the notation resulted from a restriction imposed as a condition of release and the restriction has been released by the court prior to driving. Any time a person is convicted under this section, the court shall immediately notify the department for purposes of RCW 46.20.720(3)(e). It is an affirmative defense, which the defendant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence, that the employer exemption in RCW 46.20.720(6) applies. The court shall not admit evidence of this defense unless the defendant notifies the prosecution prior to the omnibus or pretrial hearing in the case of the defendant's intent to assert the affirmative defense.
(3) Any sentence imposed for a violation of subsection (2) of this section shall be served consecutively with any sentence imposed under RCW 46.20.750, 46.61.502, 46.61.504, or 46.61.5055.
Official sources
Legal terms used in this section
Questions this section answers
Is notation on driving record a felony or a misdemeanor in Washington?
Notation on driving record is a Gross Misdemeanor in Washington under RCW 46.20.740.
Which Washington statute covers notation on driving record?
Notation on driving record is governed by RCW 46.20.740 (Notation on driving record—Verification of interlock—Penalty, exception).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.