[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to changing the period of time for which a driver's license is valid from four to six years; amending RCW 46.20.120, 46.20.161, 46.20.181, 46.20.470, and 46.20.505; and providing an effective date.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 46.20.120 and 1990 c 9 s 1 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. 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 a 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 been expired for more than ((~~four~~)) six years.

Any person renewing his or her driver's license more than sixty days after the license has expired shall pay a penalty fee of ten dollars in addition to the renewal fee under RCW 46.20.181. The penalty fee shall be deposited in the highway safety fund.

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 the penalty fee.

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

Sec. 2. RCW 46.20.161 and 1998 c 41 s 12 are each amended to read as follows:

The department, upon receipt of a fee of ((~~fourteen~~)) twenty-one dollars, unless the driver's license is issued for a period other than six years, in which case the fee shall be three dollars and fifty cents for each year that the license is issued, which includes the fee for the required photograph, shall issue to every applicant qualifying therefor a driver's license, which license shall bear thereon a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee, the name of record, date of birth, Washington residence address, photograph, and a brief description of the licensee, and either a facsimile of the signature of the licensee or a space upon which the licensee shall write his usual signature with pen and ink immediately upon receipt of the license. No license is valid until it has been so signed by the licensee.

Sec. 3. RCW 46.20.181 and 1990 c 250 s 41 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, every driver's license expires on the ((~~fourth~~)) sixth anniversary of the licensee's birthdate following the issuance of the license. Every such license is renewable on or before its expiration upon application prescribed by the department and the payment of a fee of ((~~fourteen~~)) twenty-one dollars. This fee includes the fee for the required photograph.

(2) During the period from July 1, 2000, to July 1, 2006, the department may issue or renew a driver's license for a period other than six years, or may extend by mail a license that has already been issued, in order to evenly distribute, as nearly as possible, the yearly renewal rate of licensed drivers. The fee for a driver's license issued or renewed for a period other than six years, or that has been extended by mail, is three dollars and fifty cents for each year that the license is issued, renewed, or extended. The department may adopt any rules as are necessary to carry out this subsection.

Sec. 4. RCW 46.20.470 and 1989 c 178 s 21 are each amended to read as follows:

There shall be an additional fee for issuing any class of commercial driver's license in addition to the prescribed fee required for the issuance of the original driver's license. The additional fee for each class shall not exceed ((~~twelve~~)) eighteen dollars for the original commercial driver's license or subsequent renewals, unless the commercial driver's license is renewed or extended for a period other than six years, in which case the fee for each class shall not exceed three dollars for each year that the commercial driver's license is renewed or extended. The fee shall be deposited in the highway safety fund.

Sec. 5. RCW 46.20.505 and 1993 c 115 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

Every person applying for a special endorsement or a new category of endorsement of a driver's license authorizing such person to drive a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle shall pay an examination fee of two dollars which is not refundable. In addition, the endorsement fee for the initial or new category motorcycle endorsement shall ((~~be six~~)) not exceed nine dollars, and the subsequent renewal endorsement fee shall ((~~be fourteen~~)) not exceed twenty-one dollars, unless the endorsement is renewed or extended for a period other than six years, in which case the subsequent renewal endorsement fee shall not exceed three dollars and fifty cents for each year that the endorsement is renewed or extended. The initial or new category and renewal endorsement fees shall be deposited in the motorcycle safety education account of the highway safety fund.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act takes effect July 1, 2000.