SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6636

BYSenators Patrick, Rasmussen and Thorsness

Prohibiting driver's license restrictions based on hearing loss.

Senate Committee on Transportation

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 1, 1990

Senate Staff:Cathy Mayo (786-7304)

AS OF FEBRUARY 6, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Current law requires that any person suffering from any physical or mental disability, which might impair driving ability, to demonstrate to the department that in spite of the disability that person is capable of safely driving a motor vehicle.  The department may also require such person to obtain a doctor's certificate verifying the same.  The department may issue a driver's license to a person with a physical handicap, imposing restrictions suitable to the person's driving ability with respect to specialized mechanical control devices required on the vehicle.

It is a traffic infraction for any person to operate a motor vehicle in violation of the restrictions imposed on a restricted driver's license.

SUMMARY:

The department may not consider any hearing impairment or loss on the part of an applicant or licensee as a basis for imposing any restrictions or conditions on a driver's license or a commercial driver's license. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested