Will a B.C. Driver Get Licence Suspended for Violations in Washington State

[bchen]

i have a canadian with b.c licence and i jus got a ticket from washington state recently. i have a class 7 drivers licence and was put on driving probation b4 the ticket for taking 2 passengers, and im jus wondering if i ll get points deducted on my drivers licence or get my licence suspended.

[blewis]

As far as I know, BC and WA have a reciprocity agreement as allowed by RCW 46.23.020. Paragraph (2) states:

(2) Such agreements shall provide that if a person licensed by either state or province is issued a citation by the other state or province for a moving traffic violation covered by the agreement, he shall not be detained or required to furnish bail or collateral, and that if he fails to comply with the terms of the citation, his license shall be suspended or renewal refused by the state or province that issued the license until the home jurisdiction is notified by the issuing jurisdiction that he has complied with the terms of the citation.

So, basically, if you fail to respond to this citation, WA will notify BC who will suspend your license until you take care of it. Since WA does not have "points", I don't know if BC will apply points to your record, if you are found guilty. Your best bet would be to ask for a deferral. Then nothing goes on your record. Do a search for "deferral" -- there are many posts about it.

Good luck,
Barry

[bchen]

thank you Barry

i've read other posts about deferral like you suggested. I learned that im required to check the "Guilty with explaination" box and write a letter with explaination before sending them to the courthouse issued on the ticket.

1. Is this all i need to do to ask for a deferral?
2. Because im still a student and school is starting in Sept. Will i need to appear in court in Washington State?

[blewis]

You can request a contested OR mitigation hearing. But, unless you intend to contest the ticket, the "guilty with an explanation" (mitigation) option will do. Some jurisdictions allow you to submit your request by mail, some don't -- it's a local option. Call the Clerk of the Court listed on your ticket and ask about mail/email deferral request. When you call, be sure to ask for the "filing date" of the citation. If it was not filed within 5 days, you can get it dismissed (see IRLJ 2.2 (d)).

Barry