FINAL BILL REPORT
HB 2829
C 219 L 06
Synopsis as Enacted
Brief Description: Modifying provisions concerning the regulation of driver training schools.
Sponsors: By Representatives Wallace, Curtis, Haigh, Springer, Morrell, Hunt, Takko, Schual-Berke, Murray and Moeller; by request of Department of Licensing.
House Committee on Transportation
Senate Committee on Transportation
Background:
From 1979 until 2002, the Department of Licensing (DOL) was responsible for completing
yearly inspections of driver training schools, vehicles, and student records. The Office of the
Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) was responsible for teacher qualifications and
training, curriculum development, and insuring that schools and instructors were following
the curriculum requirements.
With legislation enacted in 2002, the DOL became the sole agency responsible for overseeing
the driver training school program. Driver training schools must meet standards set by the
DOL, and driver training schools must be annually approved by the DOL. The OSPI
continues to set the curriculum in schools, while the Driver Instructors Advisory Committee
recommends the curriculum for the driver training schools. The Advisory Committee also
updates the instructor certification standards, taking into consideration the standards set by
the OSPI.
When the 2002 legislation was passed, there were approximately 119 schools and 407
instructors. As of June 2005, there were 214 schools, and almost 800 instructor applications
had been processed by the DOL.
Summary:
The licensing of driver training schools and instructors is under the authority of the Uniform
Regulation of Business and Professions Act, giving the DOL the same authority over these
groups as it has for other licensees. The DOL's ability to take disciplinary action for a variety
of acts is also under the Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions Act.
The definition of "fraudulent business practices" includes a variety of practices such as
operating a driver training school without a license, making false or misleading statements in
an application, failing to keep proper records, and issuing driver training certificates without
requiring completion of necessary training and instruction.
A driver training school must be inspected and its business practices reviewed prior to
licensure, and a transfer of ownership requires an application to the DOL. The application
fee for a driver training school license is set by the DOL by rule, along with a number of
other fees.
In order to qualify for an instructor's license, an applicant must meet a variety of requirements
including passage of an exam and 60 hours of instruction in the training of drivers. Once
licensed, driver instructors are required to undertake professional development according to
standards set by the director of the DOL, and instructor's licenses must be prominently
displayed. Revoked or cancelled instructor licenses must be surrendered to the DOL within
10 days of the date of action.
The requirement to undergo a criminal background check includes all staff who come into
contact with students, and periodic rechecking is required.
The DOL is responsible for compiling the driver training school curriculum and the
curriculum must include information regarding the intermediate driver's license restrictions
and sanctions.
Votes on Final Passage:
House 82 13
Senate 48 0
Effective: March 24, 2006