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                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1654

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Representatives Meyers, Schmidt, Walk, Gallagher, J. Williams, D. Sommers and Miller; by request of Department of Licensing

Read first time 1/22/88 and referred to Committee on Transportation.

AN ACT Relating to driver's license examinations; and amending RCW 46.20.120.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

        Sec. 1.  Section 46.20.120, chapter 12, Laws of 1961 as last amended by section 4, chapter 1, Laws of 1985 ex. sess. and RCW 46.20.120 are each amended to read as follows:

          No new driver's license may be issued and no previously issued license may be renewed until the applicant therefor has successfully passed a driver licensing examination((:  PROVIDED, That)).  However, the department may waive all or any part of the examination of any person applying for the renewal of a driver's license except when the department determines that an applicant for a driver's license is not qualified to hold a driver's license under this title.  The department may also waive the actual demonstration of the ability to operate a motor vehicle by any person who surrenders a valid driver's license issued by the person's previous home state and who is otherwise qualified to be licensed.  For a new license examination a fee of seven dollars shall be paid by each applicant, in addition to the fee charged for issuance of the license.  A new license is one issued to a driver who has not been previously licensed in this state or to a driver whose last previous Washington license has expired.

          Any person who is outside the state at the time his or her driver's license expires or who is unable to renew the license due to any incapacity may renew the license within sixty days after returning to this state or within sixty days after the termination of any such incapacity without the payment of a new license examination fee.  In such case the department may waive all or any part of the examination as in the case of renewal of driver licenses.

          The department shall provide for giving examinations at places and times reasonably available to the people of this state.