Washington State

House of Representatives

 

BILL

 ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

 

 

HB 2560

 

Brief Description:  Shifting approval of driver training schools from the superintendent of public instruction to the department of licensing.

 

Sponsors:  Representatives Quall, O'Brien, Lovick, Mitchell, Clements, Sump, Simpson, Sehlin, Cooper, Delvin, Boldt, Morell, Kessler, Buck, Hankins, Fisher, Armstrong, Mielke, Rockefeller, Haigh, Nixon, Kenney and Jackley.

 

Brief Summary of Bill

$The authority to approve driver training schools and to set training standards for driver training schools that provide driving instruction to Washington residents under age 18 is shifted from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the Department of Licensing.

 

 

Hearing Date:  1/30/02

 

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786‑7335).

 

Background:

 

Washington residents under age 18 are required to take a driver training class in order to obtain a driver=s license, except under very limited and specific circumstances.  These drivers may take their training classes within their public high schools or by attending classes at a driver training school.

 

Regardless of where the classes are held, current law requires that the driver training classes meet standards established by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).  Driver training schools must be annually approved by OSPI.

 

Because current law also requires the Department of Licensing (DOL) to oversee the licensing of driver training schools and their instructors, concern has been raised that driver training schools will be subjected to duplicate inspections of their business practices, facilities, records and insurance.

 

Summary of Bill:

 

Driver training classes offered to Washington residents under age 18 by driver training schools must meet standards established by DOL.  Driver training schools must be annually approved by DOL.

 

Appropriation:  None.

 

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 2002.

 

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.