HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1654

BYRepresentatives Meyers, Schmidt, Walk, Gallagher, J. Williams, D. Sommers and Miller; by request of Department of Licensing

Waiving the driving examination for drivers already licensed in other states.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (26)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Day, Fox, Gallagher, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Jacobsen, Jones, Kremen, Meyers, Patrick, Prince, Schmidt, D. Sommers, Sutherland, Todd, Vekich, J. Williams, K. Wilson, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (2)

      Signed by Representatives Doty and Fisher.

House Staff:Terry Michalson (786-7315)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION JANUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

New residents desiring to drive within the state must apply for a new driver's license even if he or she was licensed to drive in another state.  As defined in statute, a new license is one issued to a driver who has not been previously licensed in the state or to a driver whose last previous Washington license has expired.  Anyone applying for a new license must complete the examination, including written and driving portions, and pay the seven dollar examination fee.

The states of Florida and Washington are the only states in the nation which do not exempt a new resident from taking driving examinations when he or she holds a valid driver's license issued in another state.

SUMMARY:

BILL AS AMENDED:  The Department of Licensing may waive the driving portion of a new license examination when the applicant surrenders a valid driver's license issued by the applicant's previous home state.  The Director shall establish standards for granting waivers of driving skills examinations.  A person having a moving violation on his or her driving record shall not be waived from demonstrating driving skills.

AMENDED BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  Waivers for demonstrating driving skills may be granted only after the Director has adopted standards for granting such waivers, and in no case may a waiver be granted to a new license applicant who has a moving violation on his or her driving record.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Don Bonner, Department of Licensing.

House Committee - Testified Against:      Joe Daniels, Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Most states do not require a practical driving skills examination when the applicant holds a valid driver's license issued in another state.  By waiving the driving portion of the examination, the Department will save approximately $200,000 per year in reduced expenditures through a reduction in driver examiner FTEs.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      Untested out-of-state drivers may present a potential safety problem on the highways of the state.  Standards differ from state to state, and the driving portion of the driver's examination is a learning experience for the tested driver as examiners point out areas of concern based on observation of driving skills.