HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6558

BYSenators Conner, Thorsness, McMullen and Sellar; by request of Department of Licensing

Allowing the department of licensing to waive the driving examination for certain driver's license applicants.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (25)

      Signed by Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair, Eastern Washington; R. Meyers, Vice Chair, Western Washington; Schmidt, Ranking Republican Member; Wood, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Basich, Bennett, Betrozoff, Cooper, Day, G. Fisher, Forner, Gallagher, Hankins, Heavey, Kremen, Nelson, Prentice, Prince, Smith, D. Sommers, Todd, Walker, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Brad Lovaas (786-7307)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 26, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Current statute prohibits the Department of Licensing from issuing a new or renewal driver's license without a driver's examination.  The same statute provides the department with broad authority to waive all or any part of the examination for a person who is otherwise qualified to be licensed.

Washington and Florida are the only two states that require a driver's license examination for a new resident who surrenders a valid driver's license issued by the person's previous home state.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Licensing may waive the driver's examination of a person who surrenders a valid driver's license issued by the person's previous home state.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 28, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Joan Baird, Department of Licensing; Joe Daniels, Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers; and Lynn Stullick, Department of Licensing.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Only two states require a driver, properly licensed in their previous home state, to take the actual driving test when moving to a new state of residence.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.