SENATE BILL REPORT

                           ESB 5694

                AS PASSED SENATE, MARCH 9, 1993

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

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Barr, Drew, Nelson, Oke, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Sellar, Sheldon, von Reichbauer, and Winsley.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates: February 23, 1993

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.

Current practice of the State Patrol is to hold persons from another state to the same statute used for Washington residents:  that is, the person must be at least 15 years of age and must be accompanied by a licensed driver with five years of experience.

SUMMARY:

A nonresident who is at least 15 years of age and possesses a valid driver's license or instruction permit and is accompanied by a driver with at least five years of driving experience issued by the nonresident's home state is allowed to drive in the state.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The bill will provide reciprocity with bordering states.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Snyder, prime sponsor; Gary Bloomfield, OSPI; Clyde McBrayer, ESDIB

HOUSE AMENDMENT(S):

The original bill language is clarified with respect to the age of the driver.