HB 1597-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Finds that commercial drivers who may not currently be working may not be able to afford the expense of a required physical in order to maintain their commercial driver's license.

Finds that Washington's commercial driver's license statutes should be harmonized with federal requirements, which require proof of a physical capacity to drive a commercial vehicle, along with a valid commercial driver's license, but do not link the two requirements.

Finds that allowing commercial drivers to delay getting a physical until they are actually employed as a commercial truck driver will prevent the imposition of unnecessary expense and hardship on Washington's commercial vehicle drivers.

Provides that a person may not drive a commercial motor vehicle unless he or she is physically qualified to do so and, except as provided in 49 C.F.R. Sec. 391.67, has on his or her person the original, or a photographic copy, of a medical examiner's certificate that he or she is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

Declares that it is a traffic infraction for a licensee under chapter 46.25 RCW to drive a commercial vehicle without having on his or her person the original, or a photographic copy, of a medical examiner's certificate that he or she is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

Provides that a person who violates this act is subject to a penalty of two hundred fifty dollars. If the person appears in person before the court or submits by mail written proof that he or she had, at the time the infraction took place, the medical examiner's certificate, the court shall reduce the penalty to fifty dollars.