List of rulemaking activity

Age requirements for driver knowledge exams

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Administration of examinations (WAC 308-110-030 and WAC 308-104-046)

Right now, our rules limit how young a person can be to take the knowledge exam to get a permit beyond what the law requires. This rule change would match the age requirements under RCW 46.20.055.

Current step

November 28, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held September 27, 2022

Waiving driver education requirements

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Waiver of driver education requirement—When granted (WAC 308-104-050)

We updated this rule to reflect the current process for waiving driver education requirements.

Current step

August 13, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on June 13, 2024.

Driver hearing procedures

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Eligibility for hearing (WAC 308-101-040); Signatures (WAC 308-101-070); Scheduling — Notice of hearing (WAC 308-101-090); Continuances (WAC 308-101-120); Subpoenas (WAC 308-101-150); Filing of exhibits and other documents with the department (WAC 308-101-155); Video evidence (WAC 308-101-170); Format and length for briefs (WAC 308-101-180); Conduct of hearings (WAC 308-101-210)

We're updating the procedures, guidelines, and language of the hearing rules to match the intent of the law. These updates make hearings comply with the law, clarify procedures that are unclear, allow procedures that are currently disallowed, explain what isn't part of the procedures anymore, and use more inclusive language.

Current step

March 13, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held January 25, 2023

Financial responsibility hearings

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Administration of the Financial Responsibility Act – Procedures (Chapter 308-102 WAC)

These rule changes update and clarify the process of financial responsibility hearings. We're making the rules comply with the law, simplifying parts of the rule that are hard to read, and using more inclusive language.

Current step

March 13, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held January 25, 2023

Commercial driver license (CDL) definitions

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Definitions (WAC 308-100-005); Minimum training requirements (WAC 308-100-033); Employer certification (WAC 308-100-035); Examination requirement for commercial driver's license (WAC 308-100-040); Examination fees (WAC 308-100-050); Intrastate waiver (WAC 308-100-100); Serious traffic violations (WAC 308-100-130); Third-party testing fee (WAC 308-100-180)

We changed the current definitions related to commercial driver's license (CDL) holders to make it easier to get a CDL. This includes clarifying rules about training, testing, and reporting requirements for CDL holders, training providers, and employers. Our goal is to allow Washington to train more CDL holders, improve agency efficiency and oversight, and ensure that we're following state laws and federal regulations.

Current step

November 22, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on November 21, 2023.

Data sharing practices

  • Public records and data privacy
  • Driver licensing
  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Data sharing (Chapter 308-10A WAC)

We're creating new rules around data sharing practices. These will clarify SSB 5152, a law passed during the 2021 legislative session.

Current step

September 7, 2023

New rule adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held July 31, 2023

Address requests

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Address requests—Terms and fees (WAC 308-104-150)

We repealed this redundant rule. Records requests go through our public disclosure office.

Current step

December 11, 2024

Rule repealed

Public hearing or comments

If you object to this use of the expedited rulemaking process, you must submit your objection in writing.

Mail

Washington State Department of Licensing
1125 Washington St SE
Olympia, WA 98504

Email

rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov

Applying for a driver license or ID card

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Application for a driver's license or identicard (WAC 308-104-014)

We amended this rule to include a “responsible adult” as being eligible to sign on behalf of a minor for a driver license application. This is to comply with a bill passed in the 2024 legislative session (SB 5800).

Current step

December 11, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

If you object to this use of the expedited rulemaking process, you must send your objections to us in writing.

Mail

Rules Coordinator
Washington State Department of Licensing
1125 Washington Street SE
Olympia, WA 98504

Email

rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov

Administrative procedures

  • Driver licensing
In progress

Current rule(s)

Hearing Procedural Rules (Chapter 308-101 WAC)

We're amending this rule to better define business rules and guidelines. We're also clarifying the process for conducting administrative interviews and formal hearings for Financial Responsibility and Unsatisfied Judgment cases.

Current step

September 4, 2024

Intent to change a rule

Public hearing or comments

You can participate in this rulemaking activity by emailing us at rulescoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

Virtual driver training classes

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Driver training schools (Chapter 308-108 WAC)

We're allowing driver training schools to offer virtual classes after Washington's state of emergency ends.

Current step

October 31, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held October 25, 2022

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Learn how we make rules

Find out how we create and change rules related to licensing.

Understand the terms we use

Read our rulemaking definitions for the terms we use when working on rules.

See our semiannual rulemaking agenda

Our semiannual rulemaking agenda is the current list of rule changes that we're considering. We update it twice a year.

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