FINAL BILL REPORT

                           ESB 5694

                          C 148 L 93

                      SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

Brief Description:  Lowering the age for use of an out‑of‑state license or learner's permit.

SPONSORS: Senators Snyder, Sutherland and Vognild

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

BACKGROUND:

Current statute allows nonresidents who are at least 16 years old and possess a valid driver's license issued by their home state to drive in Washington.  Current statute is silent on the treatment of nonresidents who possess an instruction permit.

In some rural border communities, the closest urban center is in the bordering state.  As part of the secondary schools traffic safety education courses, a student must demonstrate driving skills in both urban and rural settings.  Students in some bordering communities must drive long distances to reach an urban center within the state when a closer urban center exists across the state border.

SUMMARY:

A nonresident who is at least 15 years of age may drive in the state if he or she possesses an instruction permit and is accompanied by a driver with at least five years of driving experience and has been issued a driver's license from the nonresident's home state.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

Senate    49   0

House     98   0    (House amended)

Senate    41   0    (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 25, 1993