S-4166               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6464

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Senators Patrick, Vognild, West, Rasmussen and Wojahn

Read first time 1/15/90 and referred to Committee on  Transportation.

AN ACT Relating to exemptions from commercial driver's licenses; and amending RCW 46.25.050.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 7, chapter 178, Laws of 1989 and RCW 46.25.050 are each amended to read as follows:

          (1) Drivers of commercial motor vehicles shall obtain a commercial driver's license as required under this chapter by April 1, 1992.  The director shall establish a program to convert all qualified commercial motor vehicle drivers by that date.  After April 1, 1992, except when driving under a commercial driver's instruction permit and a valid automobile or classified license and accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license valid for the vehicle being driven, no person may drive a commercial motor vehicle unless  the person holds and is in immediate possession of a commercial driver's license and applicable endorsements valid for the vehicle they are driving.  However, this requirement does not apply to any person:

          (a) Who is the operator of a farm vehicle, and the vehicle is:

          (i) Controlled and operated by a farmer;

          (ii) Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or any combination of those materials to or from a farm;

          (iii) Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier;

          (iv) Used within one hundred fifty miles of the person's farm; and

          (v) Not transporting hazardous materials required to be identified by a placard; or

          (b) Who is a fire fighter or law enforcement officer operating emergency equipment, and:

          (i) The fire fighter or law enforcement officer has successfully completed a driver training course approved by the director; and

          (ii) The fire fighter or law enforcement officer carries a certificate attesting to the successful completion of the approved training course; or

          (c) Who is operating a recreational vehicle for noncommercial purposes.

          (2) No person may drive a commercial motor vehicle while his or her driving privilege is suspended, revoked, or canceled, while subject to disqualification, or in violation of an out-of-service order.  Violations of this subsection shall be punished in the same way as violations of RCW 46.20.342(1).