SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2453

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 20, 1992

Brief Description:  Establishing minimum curriculum for recreational vehicle drivers' training.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives R. Fisher, Jones, Betrozoff, Zellinsky, Dorn, P. Johnson, G. Cole, Schmidt, Braddock, Forner, Hargrove, R. Johnson and Wood)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates: February 28, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Generally, the operation of certain types of vehicles requires special endorsements to an individual's basic driver's license.  For example, in order to operate a motorcycle or a commercial vehicle, an individual must pass examinations, both knowledge and skill, to prove that he or she has sufficient skills to operate the type of vehicle they wish to drive.

In 1989 the Washington State Legislature enacted the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Program.  The CDL Program was mandated by the federal government in 1986.  The Legislature did not have much latitude to change the provisions of the federal act, since federal highway dollars would have been withheld for noncompliance.  The federal government did leave to the individual states the decision to license drivers of recreational vehicles.  When enacted in 1989, the state CDL Program did not include any requirements for the licensing of RV drivers.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Licensing is required to develop a curriculum to be offered to drivers of recreational vehicles by commercial driver training schools or traffic safety organizations.  This curriculum is to be in place by September 1, 1992.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested