Washington · DUI · Checked October 2026
Refusing a Breath or Blood Test in Washington
Refusing a Breath or Blood Test in Washington: What Are the Rules?
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood test in Washington.
- Refusal penalty
- Revocation for at least 1 year (2 years with a prior incident within seven years); the refusal may be used against you in a criminal trial; on conviction a refusal is sentenced like a 0.15 or higher BAC and brings a 2-, 3- or 4-year revocation depending on priors
- License suspension for refusing
- 1 year for a first refusal within seven years; 2 years (or until age 21, whichever is longer) for a second refusal or a prior incident within seven years
- Deadline to challenge
- 7 days
Refusal Penalties in Washington
Revocation for at least 1 year (2 years with a prior incident within seven years); the refusal may be used against you in a criminal trial; on conviction a refusal is sentenced like a 0.15 or higher BAC and brings a 2-, 3- or 4-year revocation depending on priorsRCW 46.20.308(2); RCW 46.20.3101(1); RCW 46.61.5055(1)(b), (9)(a)(iii)
License Suspension for Refusing in Washington
1 year for a first refusal within seven years; 2 years (or until age 21, whichever is longer) for a second refusal or a prior incident within seven yearsRCW 46.20.308(5)-(7); RCW 46.20.3101
Official source: license suspension for refusing (Washington)
More on DUI Law in Washington
See the full overview of DUI laws in Washington and read about implied consent laws in every state.
This page summarizes Washington law from official sources, checked October 2026. It isn't legal advice; a lawyer licensed in Washington can advise on your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Happens if You Refuse a Breath Test in Washington?
Revocation for at least 1 year (2 years with a prior incident within seven years); the refusal may be used against you in a criminal trial; on conviction a refusal is sentenced like a 0.15 or higher BAC and brings a 2-, 3- or 4-year revocation depending on priors
How Long Is the Suspension for Refusing?
1 year for a first refusal within seven years; 2 years (or until age 21, whichever is longer) for a second refusal or a prior incident within seven years