SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6590

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, February 5, 1998

Title:  An act relating to driver's license examinations.

Brief Description:  Revising provision for driver's license examinations.

Sponsors:  Senators Horn, Haugen and Wood; by request of Department of Licensing.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/5/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6590 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prince, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Goings, Haugen, Heavey, Horn, Jacobsen, Morton, Oke, Prentice and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Paul Neal (786-7315)

Background:  A person who holds a valid driver's license issued by another state is not required to take the driving portion of the driver's license examination in order to obtain a Washington driver's license.  A person who holds a valid driver's license issued by a province of Canada, however, is required to take both the written and driving portion of the exam.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Licensing (DOL) is allowed to waive the driving portion of the license exam for persons who hold a valid driver's license issued by a province of Canada.  DOL has determined that Canadian standards for licensing drivers are consistent with Washington State standards.

DOL is given authority to enter into formal agreements with other countries to waive the driving portion of the driver=s license test provided that the agency has procedures in place to verify the validity of the foreign driver=s license.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The bill was amended to give DOL authority to enter into informal agreements with other countries to waive the driving portion of the driver=s license test provided that the agency has procedures in place to verify the validity of the foreign driver=s license.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Passage of the bill would allow licensed Canadian drivers to drive in Washington without having to arrange for and take the driving portion of the driver=s test.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Horn, prime sponsor; Clark Holloway, DOL.