Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

SSB 5154

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.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Fain, Hobbs, Liias, Zeiger, Billig, Wilson and Kuderer).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

Requires the Department of Licensing to convert a driver's license to the driver's license format used for those 21 years old and older when that driver's license is held by an applicant turning 21 years old within a week and that driver requests a replacement driver's license.

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) is authorized to issue driver's licenses that distinguish the driver's license of a person who is under the age of 21 from the driver's license of a person who is 21 years old or older. The DOL currently issues driver's licenses that are oriented vertically to applicants younger than 21 years of age and driver's licenses that are oriented horizontally to applicants 21 years of age and older.

A holder of a driver's license can obtain a replacement driver's license from the DOL for a fee. A replacement driver's license is oriented vertically or horizontally based on the age of the applicant at the time the replacement driver's license is issued.

Summary of Bill:

The DOL must issue an applicant who requests a replacement driver's license up to one week prior to turning 21 years old a horizontally oriented driver's license currently only issued to a person who is 21 years old or older.