OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — You won’t lose your driver license for failing to pay a fine under a new law in Washington.
Every year, an estimated 46,000 people have had their licenses suspended because they didn’t pay court-imposed fines for noncriminal moving violations.
Activists say that punishes people for being poor and makes it harder for them to get to work, to take care of sick family members or to get children to school.
The bill signed by Governor Inslee eliminates failure to pay fines as a reason for suspending a license, but drivers could face suspension if they don’t appear in court.