SENATE BILL REPORT
SHB 2417
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As of February 24, 2016
Title: An act relating to modifying certain driver's license requirements.
Brief Description: Modifying certain driver's license requirements.
Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Pike, Moeller and Wylie).
Brief History: Passed House: 2/10/16, 89-8.
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/23/16.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Staff: Kellee Keegan (786-7429)
Background: A person is eligible for a driver's license only once the person reaches the age of 18. Individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 may be eligible for an intermediate driver's license if certain criteria are met.
An intermediate driver's license holder must keep a log book provided by the Department of Licensing (DOL) to record supervised driving practice. There is currently no legal or regulatory requirement to present the logbook before an applicant can receive an intermediate driver's license. To be eligible to receive an intermediate driver's license, a parent, guardian, or employer of an applicant must certify that the applicant has had at least 50 hours of driving experience, 10 of which were at night, during which the driver was supervised by a person at least 21 years of age who has had a valid driver's license for at least three years.
Summary of Bill: The contents of the intermediate license logbook must be verified by the driving road test exam administrator at the DOL prior to administration of the exam. To be verified as complete, the driver licensing examination administrator must confirm that the required contents of the presented logbook meet driving experience requirements.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2017.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill will reduce the dangerous trend of young drivers dying. In Clark County, young drivers make up 11 percent of the driving population, but consist of 35 percent of the fatal car accidents. This bill was a result of a stakeholder group. A log book is already required, and this requirement would be a small thing to do to save lives. This bill strengthens the documentation requirements. It engages parents in the process of getting their children to learn how to drive and helps move Target Zero goals along. Teenagers are over-represented in crashes and fatalities and this bill may help in reducing this statistic.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Representative Liz Pike, Sponsor; Tony Sermonti, Dept of Licensing; Shelly Baldwin, Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.