Washington State House of Representatives	BILL ANALYSIS
Transportation Committee

HB 1804

Brief Description:  Allowing car pooling by intermediate drivers.

Sponsors:  Representatives Romero, Hankins, Fisher, Hatfield, Sump, Murray, Skinner, McIntire, Dickerson, Hurst, Hunt, Jackley, Lovick and Kenney.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Drivers who would otherwise be governed by the provisions of the intermediate driver's license are exempted if they drive a car pool to and from school, the car pooling reduces traffic and parking congestion in the immediate area of the school, and it is not done for events that begin after 7:00 p.m.

Hearing Date:  1/28/02

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786‑7335).

Background:

Recently, the Legislature changed the system by which drivers under age 18 obtain a license to drive by passing the intermediate driver's license bill.  This bill took effect July 1, 2001.

Among the restrictions placed on drivers under age 18 is one that limits the number of passengers a new driver can carry.  Specifically, for the first six months after an intermediate license is issued, the driver may not have any passengers in the car under the age of 20 who are not members of the driver's immediate family.  After the first six months, the driver may not have more than three passengers who are under the age of 20 who are not members of the driver's immediate family.  Other restrictions are placed on the hours an intermediate driver can drive.

After one year of driving with an intermediate license, if the driver has not been involved in an accident and has not been convicted of a traffic offense, the restrictions on the number of passengers and the hours are lifted.

An exception to the rules on passengers and hours is provided for intermediate drivers who drive for agricultural purposes.

Summary of Bill:

An exception to the rules governing intermediate drivers is provided for drivers who drive car pools to and from school, providing that the car pooling will reduce traffic and parking congestion in the immediate area of the school.  The intermediate driver may drive to and from school, during normal school and extracurricular hours.  The driver may not drive a car pool to events that begin after 7:00 p.m.  The car pool driver may carry three or fewer passengers who are under the age of 20 who are not members of the driver's immediate family.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 23, 2002.

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