Title: An act relating to intermediate drivers' licenses.

Brief Description: Clarifying intermediate drivers' license law.

Sponsors: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Hankins, Murray, Haler, Schual-Berke and Skinner).

Brief History: Passed House: 3/11/05, 93-0.

Committee Activity: Transportation: 3/22/05.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Janice Baumgardt (786-7319)

Background: Under current law, intermediate driver's license (IDL) holders have several restrictions placed upon them:

1) during the first six months of holding the IDL (or until they are 18, whichever is first), IDL    holders may not drive a vehicle carrying any passengers under the age of 20 unless those passengers are immediate family;
2) after the initial six month period, IDL holders may not drive any vehicle carrying more than    three people under the age of 20;
3)   during the first 12 months of holding the IDL, IDL holders may not drive between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver who is at least 25 years old; and
4)   after 12 months of holding the IDL, the above restrictions are lifted if the IDL holder was not involved in an auto accident, not convicted or found to have committed a traffic offense, and did not violate any of the above restrictions.

Immediate family is defined as any of the following if living in the same household: spouse, dependent children, and other dependent relatives.

Summary of Bill: The bill requires the parent, guardian, or employer of the IDL applicant to certify they and the applicant have read and understood the IDL restrictions.

The restrictions placed upon IDL holders are changed as follows:

1)   during the first six months, of holding the IDL (or until they are 18, whichever is first), IDL holders may not drive a vehicle carrying any passengers under the age of 20 unless those passengers are immediate family or the IDL holder is accompanied by a licensed parent, licensed guardian, or a licensed driver at least 25 years old with at least five years of driving experience;

2)   after the initial six month period, IDL holders may not drive any vehicle carrying more than three people under the age of 20 unless accompanied by a licensed parent, licensed guardian, or a licensed driver at least 25 years old with at least five years of driving experience;
3)   during the first 12 months of holding the IDL, IDL holders may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are accompanied by a licensed parent, licensed guardian, or licensed driver who is at least 25 years old with at least five years of driving experience; and
4)   after 12 months of holding the IDL, the above restrictions are lifted if the IDL holder: (a) was not involved in a chargeable accident or an accident in which the holder is at fault; (b) was not convicted or found to have committed a traffic offense; and (c) did not violate any of the above restrictions.

The definition of immediate family is changed to include: spouse, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother, stepsister, and any person who is under the age of 20 and living in the same household.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on August 1, 2005.