FINAL BILL REPORT
ESSB 5428
C 249 L 04
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Allowing alternative means of renewing driver's licenses.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Finkbeiner, Haugen, Horn and Shin; by request of Department of Licensing).
Senate Committee on Highways & Transportation
House Committee on Transportation
Background: Currently, persons applying for renewal of a driver's license or identicard present the application to the Department of Licensing (DOL) in person. However, a person living outside the state whose driver's license has expired, or will expire, may apply for renewal by mail.
Generally, a driver's license and identicard are valid for a period of five years.
Summary: "Electronic commerce" is defined to include transactions made over the internet, by telephone, or other electronic means.
A driver's license may be renewed by mail or electronic commerce if: (1) DOL permits the renewal by rule; and (2) the applicant did not renew the driver's license by mail or electronic commerce when it last expired.
An identicard may be renewed by mail or electronic commerce if: (1) DOL permits the renewal by rule; (2) the applicant did not renew the identicard by mail or electronic commerce when it last expired; and (3) the identicard includes a photograph of the identicard holder.
A person whose license has expired, or will expire, while he or she is living outside the state, may apply for renewal by electronic commerce, regardless of whether the applicant renewed his or her driver's license by mail or electronic commerce when it last expired, if DOL permits such renewal by rule.
DOL is authorized to accept credit card payment for drivers' licenses and identicards.
The department's authority to issue drivers' licenses and identicards via the mail or internet is subject to funding being provided by June 30, 2004 in the omnibus transportation appropriations act.
Votes on Final Passage:
Senate 37 11
House 95 1
Effective: June 10, 2004