The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) maintains WA drivers’ motor vehicle records. This state agency says that a driving record contains a history of violations, convictions, collisions, and departmental actions incurred by a driver over a period of time. A copy of the record is referred to as an Abstract of Driving Record (ADR).

According to the DOL, most convictions and violations as well as forfeitures of bail, or court findings stating an infraction was committed is kept on a Washington State driving record for 5 years from conviction or adjudication date.

Alcohol-related convictions are kept on the driver’s history for 15 years from the conviction date. Vehicular Assault and Vehicular Homicide convictions are kept for life (99 years) in Washington State.

Failure to appear or respond to a traffic citation or notice of infraction served by a law enforcement officer is kept on a driver’s record for 10 years from the date the court informs the WA DOL.

Departmental actions, such as suspensions, revocations, or disqualifications are kept for 5 years from final release date.

Information regarding collisions is also placed on a WA driver's MVR. Collision records show involvement, not fault, number of vehicles involved, whether they were legally parked or moving, whether the vehicles were occupied at the time of the collision, and whether the collision resulted in any injury or fatality. This information is placed on a Washington state’s driving record for 5 years from collision date for a non-commercial vehicles and 10 years from collision date for commercial vehicles.

It will depend upon what offense caused your driver's license to be suspended as to how long it will remain on your driving record. Most offenses and even suspensions remain on your driving record for 5 years.

In Washington there is a 3-year noncommercial insurance abstract that is used to create and renew noncommercial motor vehicle insurance policies. The person named on the driving record and insurance companies and their agents are allowed to obtain a copy of this type of WA MVR.

The DOL notes that this abstract will show the past 3 years’ noncommercial driving:

• Convictions
• Violations
• Collisions

So an insurance company pulling this MVR should only see your last 3 years of the items listed above. If your offense and suspension was before that period of time it should not appear on your 3 year abstract.

For a copy of your Washington State driving record you can contact the WA DOL in person or by mail. If you request a copy by mail it usually takes 10 to 14 days for the copy to be sent after they have received your request and accompanying $10 fee. This way you can check to see what is on your 3 year abstract and then contact the DOL if there are any offenses listed on there that you believe should not be.