SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 292

BYRepresentatives Meyers, Schmidt, Walk, P. King and Kremen; by request of Department of Licensing

Authorizing distinguishing features for driver's licenses of persons under twenty-one years of age.

House Committe on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 24, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Peterson, Chairman; Hansen, Vice Chairman; Tanner, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Barr, Bender, DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Johnson, Nelson, Patterson, Sellar.

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

                  March 25, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, MARCH 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Licensing is required by law to distinguish between the driver's license of an adult and a minor.  The driver's license is coded with an "A" for adult and an "M" for minor.  When this law was established an adult was an individual who had reached the age of 21.  Since that time the law has been changed and an individual becomes an adult at age 18, but is prohibited by law from consuming or purchasing alcohol until age 21.  A drivers license is a readily accepted form of identification and is frequently used to determine whether an individual is old enough to purchase or consume alcohol.

A minor's driver's license containing the code letter "M" is issued to a driver under the age of 18; however, three-quarter profile identification photos are used on the licenses of all drivers under age 21.

A person having a minor driver's license may request an adult driver's license, containing the code letter "A" upon reaching the age of 18 years without being charged a licensing fee. The picture may not be changed to a full face position, however, until the applicant reaches age 21.  At age 21 the applicant may request a full-face photo without being charged a fee.

The Highway Safety Fund, which is derived from driver related fees, is experiencing a shortfall which may reach $5.4 million during the 1987-1989 biennium.  Allowing individuals to change a driver's license free of charge places an additional burden upon the fund.

SUMMARY:

The definition and all references to "adult driver's license" and "minor driver's license" are repealed.

The Department of Licensing is authorized to provide a method to distinguish the driver's license of a person who is under the age of 21 from the license of one 21 years of age and older.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Wayne Roice, Department of Licensing