SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6462

As Passed Senate, February 19, 2002

Title:  An act relating to tests and permits for commercial driver's licensing.

Brief Description:  Regulating tests and permits for commercial driver's licensing.

Sponsors:  Senators Gardner, Benton, Haugen, Horn and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  1/23/02, 2/12/02 [DP].

Passed Senate:  2/19/02, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Benton, Eide, Finkbeiner, Horn, Jacobsen, Kastama, Keiser, McAuliffe, McDonald, Oke, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Shin and Swecker.

Staff:  Dean Carlson (786‑7305)

Background:  In 1989, SSB 5441 was passed implementing many of the requirements directed by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986.  One of the provisions in the legislation was to allow the director of the Department of Licensing to contract with third parties to give the skills portion of the commercial driving test.

Under current law, a commercial driver's instruction permit may be issued to any individual who holds a valid automobile or classified driver's license.

Summary of Bill:  An entity who is authorized by the Department of Licensing to give the commercial driving skills test may not give the test to an applicant that has paid the same entity for commercial driver training.

In addition to the requirement that an applicant for a commercial driver's instruction permit must have a valid automobile or classified driver's license, an applicant must first pass a general knowledge test for driving a commercial motor vehicle.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 17, 2002.

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

Testimony For:  It is not to much to ask that a non‑interested third party conduct the driving test.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jay Lawley, Washington Trucking Association (pro).