Brief Description: Allowing reciprocal waiver of driver's license exams.

Sponsors: By Representatives Jarrett, Clibborn, Pettigrew and Wallace; by request of Department of Licensing.

House Committee on Transportation
Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues Washington driver's licenses to persons who successfully pass a licensing examination as part of the qualification requirements. The DOL may, however, waive the skill test required of all applicants for a Washington driver's license if the applicant presents a valid driver's license from another state, United States territory, or United States possession. While an individual with a valid driver's license from another country may drive in this state for up to one year, driver's license applicants from any foreign jurisdiction are ultimately required to take the licensing examination regardless of whether their foreign license is valid.   

The requirement that foreign drivers take the Washington licensing examination has prevented the DOL from entering into agreements with foreign jurisdictions to waive their driver's licensing requirements. In the case of a Washington resident who moves to Germany, for example, this can mean the expenditure of hundreds of dollars in testing and training fees.

Summary:

The DOL is authorized to enter into informal reciprocal agreements with foreign jurisdictions to waive driver's license examination requirements. These agreements may apply only to licensed drivers from that jurisdiction who are 18 years of age or older.

For an individual who submits a valid driver's license from a jurisdiction with which there is an informal reciprocal agreement, the DOL may permit the waiver of all or any part of a driver's license examination.

The DOL may only enter into an agreement with a foreign jurisdiction if the jurisdiction has procedures in place to verify the validity of the drivers' licenses that it issues.

The DOL is authorized to adopt rules necessary to implement the act.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   95   0
Senate   44   3

Effective: July 24, 2005