Getting charged with a DUI is embarrassing. You might have to do a brief stint in jail. One of the longest lasting consequences is that a DUI conviction in another state will suspend your license.
As discussed in my previous post, A DUI in Another State is the Worst of All Worlds, there are two ways to lose your license from a DUI: the administrative track (through a DOL or DMV suspension) or following a conviction.
The Conviction Track
In Oregon and Washington you will lose your license if you’re convicted of a DUI. Both states have different lengths of suspensions that depend on the severity of the charge and your criminal history.
Oregon License Suspension After a DUII
After a DUII conviction in Oregon, the DMV will suspend your license. The length of the suspension will depend on your criminal history.
| 1st DUII | One Year Suspension | 0-day wait for hardship permit |
| 2nd DUII | Three Year Suspension | 90-day wait for hardship permit |
| 3rd/Felony DUII | Permanent Revocation* | No hardship permit |
*Can petition the court to return driving privileges after 10 years.
Washington License Suspension After a DUI
After a DUII conviction in Oregon, the DOL will suspend your license. The length of the suspension will depend on your criminal history and the severity of the offense.
| Blood Alcohol Content .08% – .15% | ||
| No Prior | 90-day Suspension | Ignition Interlock License* |
| 1 Prior | 2-year Revocation | Ignition Interlock License* |
| 2 or 3 Priors | 3-year Revocation | Ignition Interlock License* |
| Blood Alcohol Content > .15% or Refused Test | ||
| No Prior | 1-year revocation, 2 if refused | Ignition Interlock License* |
| 1 Prior | 900-day revocation, 3-year if refused | Ignition Interlock License* |
| 2 or 3 Priors | 4-year Revocation | Ignition Interlock License* |
The ignition interlock license allows anyone with a Washington license to continue to drive so long as they have:
- -Proof of a functioning Ignition Interlock
- SR-22 Insurance
- -$100 fee to DOL
- $20 monthly fee plus monthly lease on the IID
The IIL lasts for a minimum of one year and runs through the length of any longer suspension or revocation. The court can order an IIL for up to five years.
DUI in Another State
Oregon and Washington will suspend the licenses of out-of-state drivers that get convicted of a DUI. Thankfully, the law in both states says you should be able to get a IIL (Washington law specifically allows an IIL for out-of-state convictions) or hardship permit (Oregon says your suspension should be treated as if the conviction happened in Oregon).
In practice, DOL and DMV don’t always follow these rules. They sometimes refuse to issue the alternative licenses. In those cases, you need legal help to enforce your rights.
f you’re an out-of-state driver, you have to fight the suspension. Otherwise, you’re in for a long time without any driving. You need an attorney that knows the law, how it interacts between the states and that will help you through the process. Give us a call so we can get to work on your case.