List of rulemaking activity

CDL disqualifications

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Hearing procedural rules - Final orders (WAC 308-101-230)

We created a new chapter to define how we review CDL disqualifications, including business rules, guidelines, and processes.

Current step

November 13, 2023

New rule adopted

Public hearing or comments

A public hearing was held October 31, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Names and addresses of vehicle owners

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Ownership in doubt - Bonded title or three-year registration without title (WAC 308-56A-210)

We're removing the requirement for us to provide the names and addresses of current vehicle owners of record.

Current step

November 22, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

A public hearing was held on November 15, 2023 at 10 a.m.

CDL hearings

  • Driver licensing
Withdrawn

Current rule(s)

Hearing procedural rules (Chapter 308-101 WAC)

We're withdrawing new rules to clarify business practices, procedures, and guidelines about CDLs and hearing requests, requests for interpreters, defining good cause, and defining the requirements to request a hearing as a Habitual Traffic Offender.

Current step

August 16, 2023

New rule withdrawn

Public hearing or comments

No public hearing was held.

Commercial driver license (CDL) definitions

  • Driver licensing
Withdrawn

Current rule(s)

Definitions (WAC 308-100-005)

We're withdrawing rule changes to the definitions related to commercial driver's license (CDL) holders to make it easier to get a CDL.

Current step

August 2, 2023

Rule change withdrawn

Public hearing or comments

No public hearing was held.

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

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

Driver license renewals for people over 70

  • Driver licensing
Emergency rule

Current rule(s)

Renewal of driver's license or ID card (Chapter 308-104-019 WAC)

We're removing the requirement for people over 70 to renew their driver license in person. This helps us continue providing online renewals to these individuals, which is currently authorized by Proclamation 20-15.

Current step

May 5, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

No public was hearing held. See the emergency rulemaking order for more information.

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

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

Suspended driver licenses and safe driving courses

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Drivers' licenses (Chapter 308-104 WAC)

We're adopting requirements about license suspensions due to multiple traffic offenses and safe driving courses. These changes follow a new law that lowers the number of traffic offenses that will lead to a license suspension and requires people who are suspended to complete a safe driving course.

Current step

November 30, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

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