BILL REQ. #:  Z-0295.1 

Read first time 01/11/2007.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to commercial driver's license requirements; amending RCW 46.25.060 and 46.25.060; providing effective dates; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 46.25.060 and 2004 c 187 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) No person may be issued a commercial driver's license unless that person is a resident of this state and has passed a knowledge and skills test for driving a commercial motor vehicle that complies with minimum federal standards established by federal regulation enumerated in 49 C.F.R. part 383, subparts G and H, and has satisfied all other requirements of the CMVSA in addition to other requirements imposed by state law or federal regulation. The tests must be prescribed and conducted by the department. In addition to the fee charged for issuance or renewal of any license, the applicant shall pay a fee ((of no more than ten dollars)) as set by rule of the department for each classified knowledge examination, classified endorsement knowledge examination, or any combination of classified license and endorsement knowledge examinations. The applicant shall pay a fee ((of no more than fifty dollars)) as set by rule of the department for each classified skill examination or combination of classified skill examinations conducted by the department.
     (b) The department may authorize a person, including an agency of this or another state, an employer, a private driver training facility, or other private institution, or a department, agency, or instrumentality of local government, to administer the skills test specified by this section under the following conditions:
     (i) The test is the same which would otherwise be administered by the state;
     (ii) The third party has entered into an agreement with the state that complies with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. part 383.75; and
     (iii) The director has adopted rules as to the third party testing program and the development and justification for fees charged by any third party.
     (2) The department shall work with the office of the superintendent of public instruction to develop modified P1 and P2 skill examinations that also include the skill examination components required to obtain an "S" endorsement. In no event may a new applicant for an "S" endorsement be required to take two separate examinations to obtain an "S" endorsement and either a P1 or P2 endorsement, unless that applicant is upgrading his or her existing commercial driver's license to include an "S" endorsement. The combined P1/S or P2/S skill examination must be offered to the applicant at the same cost as a regular P1 or P2 skill examination.
     (3) The department may waive the skills test specified in this section for a commercial driver's license applicant who meets the requirements of 49 C.F.R. part 383.77.
     (4) A commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit may not be issued to a person while the person is subject to a disqualification from driving a commercial motor vehicle, or while the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or canceled in any state, nor may a commercial driver's license be issued to a person who has a commercial driver's license issued by any other state unless the person first surrenders all such licenses, which must be returned to the issuing state for cancellation.
     (5)(a) The department may issue a commercial driver's instruction permit to an applicant who is at least eighteen years of age and holds a valid Washington state driver's license and who has submitted a proper application, passed the general knowledge examination required for issuance of a commercial driver's license under subsection (1) of this section, and paid the appropriate fee for the knowledge examination and an application fee of ten dollars.
     (b) A commercial driver's instruction permit may not be issued for a period to exceed six months. Only one renewal or reissuance may be granted within a two-year period.
     (c) The holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit may drive a commercial motor vehicle on a highway only when accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license valid for the type of vehicle driven who occupies a seat beside the individual for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle. The holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit is not authorized to operate a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials.
     (d) The department shall transmit the fees collected for commercial driver's instruction permits to the state treasurer.

Sec. 2   RCW 46.25.060 and 2007 c ... s 1 (section 1 of this act) are each amended to read as follows:
     (1)(a) No person may be issued a commercial driver's license unless that person presents evidence satisfactory to the department that he or she is a resident of this state, has successfully completed a course of instruction in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle that has been approved by the director, and has passed a knowledge and skills test for driving a commercial motor vehicle that complies with minimum federal standards established by federal regulation enumerated in 49 C.F.R. part 383, subparts G and H, and has satisfied all other requirements of the CMVSA in addition to other requirements imposed by state law or federal regulation. The tests must be prescribed and conducted by the department. In addition to the fee charged for issuance or renewal of any license, the applicant shall pay a fee as set by rule of the department for each classified knowledge examination, classified endorsement knowledge examination, or any combination of classified license and endorsement knowledge examinations. The applicant shall pay a fee as set by rule of the department for each classified skill examination or combination of classified skill examinations conducted by the department.
     (b) The department may authorize a person, including an agency of this or another state, an employer, a private driver training facility, or other private institution, or a department, agency, or instrumentality of local government, to administer the skills test specified by this section under the following conditions:
     (i) The test is the same which would otherwise be administered by the state;
     (ii) The third party has entered into an agreement with the state that complies with the requirements of 49 C.F.R. part 383.75; and
     (iii) The director has adopted rules as to the third party testing program and the development and justification for fees charged by any third party.
     (2) The department shall work with the office of the superintendent of public instruction to develop modified P1 and P2 skill examinations that also include the skill examination components required to obtain an "S" endorsement. In no event may a new applicant for an "S" endorsement be required to take two separate examinations to obtain an "S" endorsement and either a P1 or P2 endorsement, unless that applicant is upgrading his or her existing commercial driver's license to include an "S" endorsement. The combined P1/S or P2/S skill examination must be offered to the applicant at the same cost as a regular P1 or P2 skill examination.
     (3) The department may waive the skills test and the requirement for completion of a course of instruction in the operation of a commercial motor vehicle specified in this section for a commercial driver's license applicant who meets the requirements of 49 C.F.R. part 383.77.
     (4) A commercial driver's license or commercial driver's instruction permit may not be issued to a person while the person is subject to a disqualification from driving a commercial motor vehicle, or while the person's driver's license is suspended, revoked, or canceled in any state, nor may a commercial driver's license be issued to a person who has a commercial driver's license issued by any other state unless the person first surrenders all such licenses, which must be returned to the issuing state for cancellation.
     (5)(a) The department may issue a commercial driver's instruction permit to an applicant who is at least eighteen years of age and holds a valid Washington state driver's license and who has submitted a proper application, passed the general knowledge examination required for issuance of a commercial driver's license under subsection (1) of this section, and paid the appropriate fee for the knowledge examination and an application fee of ten dollars.
     (b) A commercial driver's instruction permit may not be issued for a period to exceed six months. Only one renewal or reissuance may be granted within a two-year period.
     (c) The holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit may drive a commercial motor vehicle on a highway only when accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver's license valid for the type of vehicle driven who occupies a seat beside the individual for the purpose of giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle. The holder of a commercial driver's instruction permit is not authorized to operate a commercial motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials.
     (d) The department shall transmit the fees collected for commercial driver's instruction permits to the state treasurer.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) Section 1 of this act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2007.
     (2) Section 2 of this act takes effect January 15, 2008.