What statute defines DUI in Washington?

RCW 46.61.502 is the controlling DUI statute in Washington. You can read the current text on the official code site at app.leg.wa.gov.

What is the Washington implied-consent law?

RCW 46.20.308 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest.

Washington DUI Statutes: The Code Sections That Control Your Case

The statutes that control Washington DUI cases

DUI in Washington is defined by RCW 46.61.502, and the chemical-testing rules sit in RCW 46.20.308. Both are published in the official state code at app.leg.wa.gov, which is the only version that governs — summaries elsewhere, including ours, can lag amendments.

Washington official code — DUI statute

Statutory text, definitions, BAC thresholds and sentencing ranges.

Implied-consent provision

What refusing a breath, blood or urine test costs you.

Statute at a glance

Washington DUI law at a glance

Sourced from the Washington code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.

Offense name: DUI (Washington)
Controlling statute: RCW 46.61.502
Implied consent: RCW 46.20.308
Per se BAC limit: 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
Licence hearing deadline: 7 days after arrest
Prior-offense lookback: 7 years
First-offense fine: $990–$5,000
First-offense jail exposure: up to 364 days
Licence suspension: 3 months
Ignition interlock: Required on a first offense in most cases
Trial court: the District Court or Municipal Court
High-risk filing: SR-22 for 3 years

A first offense requires interlock and an alcohol/drug assessment.

First-offense exposure under RCW 46.61.502: $990–$5,000, up to 364 days of jail exposure, and a 3 months licence suspension. A first offense requires interlock and an alcohol/drug assessment.

What RCW 46.61.502 actually says

RCW 46.61.502(1)(a) — driving with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher within two hours of driving.
RCW 46.61.502(1)(b) — driving with a THC concentration above the per se limit within two hours of driving.
RCW 46.61.502(1)(c)-(d) — driving while under the influence of or affected by liquor, cannabis or any drug.
RCW 46.61.502(1)(e) — driving under the combined influence of alcohol and any drug.

Charging documents cite the exact subsection, so check which one appears on your citation. The posted text on app.leg.wa.gov carries an effective date — amendments passed after it are not yet reflected.

Other Washington sections that control the case

RCW 46.20.308

Implied consent and the administrative hearing on suspension.

RCW ch. 10.05

Deferred prosecution for alcohol- and drug-related traffic offenses.

Washington ZIP codes covered

These Washington ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.

Browse all Washington ZIP codes.

Counties and cities using these Washington resources

Other Washington official resources

Washington DUI Courts: Where Your Case Is Heard Washington Driver Licensing After a DUI: Hearings, Reinstatement & SR-22

Frequently asked questions

What statute defines DUI in Washington?: RCW 46.61.502 is the controlling DUI statute in Washington. You can read the current text on the official code site at app.leg.wa.gov.
What is the Washington implied-consent law?: RCW 46.20.308 is the implied-consent provision. It sets out the consequences of refusing a chemical test after a lawful DUI arrest.