Brief Description: Modifying commercial driver's license requirements.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Wallace, Upthegrove, Lovick, Hankins and Dickerson; by request of Department of Licensing).

House Committee on Transportation
Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:

The operation of commercial motor vehicles is regulated under both state and federal law. In order to operate a commercial motor vehicle in Washington, a person generally must hold a commercial driver's license with the applicable endorsements for the vehicle he or she is driving.

However, this requirement does not apply to the following persons:

• the operator of a farm vehicle controlled and operated by a farmer. The vehicle itself must also be used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm. Finally, the vehicle may not be used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier, and it must be used within 150 miles of the person's farm.
• a firefighter or law enforcement officer operating emergency equipment who has completed an approved driver training course; or
• the operator of a recreational vehicle used for noncommercial purposes.

To receive a commercial driver's license from the State of Washington, an applicant must be a resident of the state and pass knowledge and skills tests that comply with minimum federal standards.

Summary:

The fee charged by the Department of Licensing (DOL) for a skills examination for a commercial motor vehicle license is increased from $50 to $100, unless the applicant's primary use of the license is for a public benefit not for profit corporation that is either a head start program or supporting early childhood education and assistance programs), in which case the fee is $75.

A person seeking a commercial driver's license must have successfully completed a course of instruction in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle that has been approved by the Director of the DOL or be certified by an employer as having the skills and training necessary to safely operate a commercial motor vehicle.

The DOL may waive the requirement for instruction in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle for an applicant that has been issued a valid commercial driver's license in another state and is transferring to Washington.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   81   14
Senate   42   6   (Senate amended)
House   78   16   (House concurred)

Effective: January 15, 2008