S-0845.1  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 5313

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

 

By Senators Rasmussen, Owen, Roach, Winsley and Hargrove

 

Read first time 01/18/95.  Referred to Committee on Transportation.

 

Excusing small tree harvesters from the commercial driver's license requirements.



    AN ACT Relating to farm vehicle exceptions to commercial driver's license requirements; and amending RCW 46.25.050.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 46.25.050 and 1990 c 56 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Drivers of commercial motor vehicles shall obtain a commercial driver's license as required under this chapter by April 1, 1992.  The director shall establish a program to convert all qualified commercial motor vehicle drivers by that date.  After April 1, 1992, except when driving under a commercial driver's instruction permit and a valid automobile or classified license and accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license valid for the vehicle being driven, no person may drive a commercial motor vehicle unless the person holds and is in immediate possession of a commercial driver's license and applicable endorsements valid for the vehicle they are driving.  However, this requirement does not apply to any person:

    (a) Who is the operator of a farm vehicle, including a vehicle used in the transportation of trees by a small harvester, as defined by the department of revenue, and the vehicle is:

    (i) Controlled and operated by a farmer, including a person engaged in the harvest of trees as defined by the department of revenue;

    (ii) Used to transport either agricultural products, trees, farm machinery, farm supplies, or any combination of those materials to or from a farm;

    (iii) Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier; and

    (iv) Used within one hundred fifty miles of the person's farm; or

    (b) Who is a fire fighter or law enforcement officer operating emergency equipment, and:

    (i) The fire fighter or law enforcement officer has successfully completed a driver training course approved by the director; and

    (ii) The fire fighter or law enforcement officer carries a certificate attesting to the successful completion of the approved training course; or

    (c) Who is operating a recreational vehicle for noncommercial purposes.  As used in this section, "recreational vehicle" includes a vehicle towing a horse trailer for a noncommercial purpose.

    (2) No person may drive a commercial motor vehicle while his or her driving privilege is suspended, revoked, or canceled, while subject to disqualification, or in violation of an out-of-service order.  Violations of this subsection shall be punished in the same way as violations of RCW 46.20.342(1).

 


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