Title: An act relating to repealing the application of the sunset act to the intermediate driver's license program.

Brief Description: Repealing the application of the sunset act to the intermediate driver's license program.

Sponsors: Senators Eide, Weinstein, Brown, Rockefeller, Regala, Fraser, Murray, Berkey, Kauffman, Jacobsen, Keiser, Haugen, Rasmussen, Shin, Tom and Kohl-Welles.

Brief History:

Transportation: 3/21/07 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 22 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Flannigan, Vice Chair; Jarrett, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Armstrong, Campbell, Dickerson, Eddy, Ericksen, Hailey, Hankins, Hudgins, Rodne, Rolfes, Sells, Simpson, Springer, B. Sullivan, Takko, Wallace and Wood.

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

Washington's Intermediate Drivers' License (IDL) law prohibits drivers who hold an IDL from carrying passengers under 20 years of age in their car for the first six months after issuance of the license, unless the passenger is an immediate family member. During the remaining period of the IDL (up to the age of 18), the driver may not carry more than three non-family member passengers under the age of 20.

Drivers who hold an IDL are also prohibited from driving between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless a licensed driver 25 or older is also in the vehicle. Driving for agricultural purposes is an exception to the late night hours driving restriction.

Beginning with the issuance of the IDL and until the age of 18:

• If a driver commits a driving violation, or a violation of license restrictions, the driver is sent a warning letter by the Department of Licensing.
• If two driving violations are committed, a letter suspending the driver for six months (or until age 18, whichever is shorter) is sent to the driver.
• For a third driving violation, the driver is suspended until age 18.

The driver's parents also receive a copy of any warning or suspension letter sent to the driver.

After a year of driving safely without a driving violation, offense or collision, the driving restrictions expire and will not be reimposed. However, the driver is still subject to receiving the intermediate license warning letter and license suspension penalties until age 18. Driving with a suspended IDL is a misdemeanor.

The sunset review process requires the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to evaluate the extent to which a particular program has met a variety of performance factors related to legislative intent and efficiency.

Summary of Bill:

The sunset review of the Intermediate Driver's License (IDL) program by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee, scheduled for completion by June 30, 2008, is repealed.

The termination of the IDL program on June 30, 2009, is also repealed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) There has been a 45 percent decrease in the number of serious injury accidents involving teen drivers since the intermediate driver's license program went into effect. Some of this reduction is due to fewer kids obtaining driver's licenses, but some is due to the intermediate driver's license restrictions, so this program should be made permanent.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Dave Overstreet, Automobile Association of America; and Steve Lind, Washington Traffic Safety Commission.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.