HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 6462

As Reported by House Committee On:

Transportation

Title:  An act relating to tests and permits for commercial driver's licensing.

Brief Description:  Regulating tests and permits for commercial driver's licensing.

Sponsors:  Senators Gardner, Benton, Haugen, Horn and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation:  3/4/02 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

$Commercial driver training schools cannot administer the skills test portion of the commercial drivers license (CDL) to one of its students.

$In order to obtain a commercial driver instruction permit, an applicant must pass a general knowledge test.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Fisher, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Lovick, Vice Chair; Mitchell, Ranking Minority Member; Anderson, Ericksen, Haigh, Hankins, Hatfield, Holmquist, Jackley, Jarrett, Mielke, Morell, Murray, Ogden, Reardon, Rockefeller, Romero, Schindler, Simpson, Skinner, Sullivan, Wood and Woods.

Staff:  Penny Nerup (786‑7335).

Background:

Commercial drivers license (CDL) endorsements are required for all Washington drivers who transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, who transport hazardous materials, or who drive commercial vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds.  Drivers who want a CDL endorsement are required by state law to take a knowledge and skills test that meets minimum federal standards, in addition to any other requirements imposed by state law.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) can authorize a commercial driver training school or another entity to administer the skills test if certain conditions are met.

Summary of Bill:

An entity authorized by the DOL to provide commercial driver training cannot administer the skills test to one of its students.

Persons seeking a commercial driver instruction permit are required to pass a general knowledge test for driving a commercial vehicle conducted by the DOL.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Although there does not appear to be a lot of cheating on CDL skills tests administered by commercial driving schools, the re-take rate is less when students take the test from their school.  Other states consider it a conflict of interest to have a private driving school administer the skills test.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jay Lawley, Washington Trucking Association; and Kip Kinsley, Department of Licensing.