Intermediate Driver License.  An intermediate driver license is a type of driver license issued by the Department of Licensing (DOL) to individuals under 18 years of age.  The intermediate driver license authorizes the license holder to drive a motor vehicle subject to certain restrictions until the license holder reaches the age of 18. 

An applicant for an intermediate license must be at least 16 years of age, have possessed a valid instruction permit for at least six months, have passed a driver licensing exam, have passed an approved driver education course, and present certification by a parent, guardian, or employer to DOL stating the applicant has had at least 50 hours of driving experience, ten of which were at night.

For a person to obtain a driver license or motorcycle endorsement while under 18 years of age, the individual must have an application signed by a parent or guardian.  If the person under 18 years of age does not have a parent or guardian then the application can be signed by the minor's employer.
 
Identicards.  DOL issues an identicard as a form of identification and it generally expires on the eighth anniversary of the applicant's birth date after issuance.  The identicard is distinctly designed so it is not confused with an official driver license.  The fee for an eight-year identicard is $73.

An at-cost identicard, based on the production costs rather than the usual $73 fee for an eight-year identicard, can be provided if the applicant is:

• a recipient of public assistance grants, and has a written referral from either the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF);
• under the age of twenty-five and does not have a permanent residence address; or
• being discharged from certain state and local facilities.

Intermediate Driver License.  Responsible adults, as defined by DOL rule, are added to the types of persons that can sign the application for an intermediate driver license. 

Responsible adult is added to the list of individuals who can be the signatory for the application of a person under the age of 18 for a driver license or a motorcycle endorsement, regardless of whether an applicant has a parent, or guardian.  

Identicards.  The requirement that a recipient of public assistance grants applying for an at-cost identicard receive written referral from either the DSHS or DCYF is removed.  Participants in the Women, Infants, and Children program is added to the definition of individuals receiving continuing public assistance eligible for an at-cost identicard.  DOL is given broadened authority to determine the documentation requirements for individuals receiving continuing public assistance grants eligible for an at-cost identicard.

DOL must conduct a study on the feasibility of offering reduced fee identicards. DOL must report its findings and any recommendations to the Governor and the Transportation Committees of the Legislature by December 1, 2025.  The issues for examination in the study include:

• assessing the current cost of identicards and its impact on families and customers with limited resources;
• reviewing other states and how they handle pricing of their identity credentials;
• evaluating eligibility criteria for at-cost identicards;
• recommending improvements to accessing identicards for the public; and
• identifying cost and revenue impacts associated with any changes or expansion in a reduced fee identicard program.

PRO:  This legislation is aimed at removing barriers to getting an identicard or driver's licenses.  Having identification is essential to full participation in our society.  Since over 40,000 of the state's youth live in informal arrangements, the addition of responsible adult to those that can provide the needed documentation on the application will remove a major challenge to them getting a driver's license.  The changes that will expand access to at-cost identicard and make the process more efficient using technology are another component aimed at improving access to identification.  The study of reduced cost identicards will look at a variety of issues that could further improve access to identification, but will also be cognizant of the fiscal challenges the state has.