SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6263

As of January 30, 2004

Title: An act relating to home-based driver training instruction.

Brief Description: Permitting home-based driver training.

Sponsors: Senators Swecker, Oke, Stevens, Pflug, Winsley, Zarelli, Hewitt and Mulliken.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Education: 2/4/04.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: For individuals under the age of 18 years to obtain a driver's license, he or she must either successfully complete an approved traffic safety education course offered by a school district, an approved private school, or a driver training school licensed by the Department of Licensing (DOL).

Courses offered by a school district or an approved private school must meet the standards established by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). Courses offered by a driver training school must meet the standards established by DOL, with the advice of the driver instructors' advisory committee. The membership of the advisory committee includes representatives of the driver training schools, SPI, DOL, and the Washington State Traffic Safety Commission.

Generally, instructors of traffic safety programs either have a teaching certificate with a traffic safety endorsement or they have completed a specific number of clock hours and have experience teaching a traffic safety course. Additionally, instructors are required to undergo a background check.

Summary of Bill: DOL may review and approve driver training courses designed for use in home-based instruction. If DOL authorizes such a driver training course, then a person that is providing home-based instruction to his or her own child may use the course to provide driver training to his or her own child. Successful completion of this training course is sufficient to meet the training requirements for obtaining a driver's license for individuals under the age of 18.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 29, 2004.

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