List of rulemaking activity

Data sharing and privacy for vehicle and driver data

  • Driver licensing
  • Vehicle and boat registration
In progress

Current rule(s)

Enhancing data stewardship and privacy protections for vehicle and driver data (Title 308 WAC: Department of Licensing)

We plan to create rules to clarify the requirements of a new law about data sharing and privacy protections for vehicle and driver data.

Current step

May 5, 2021

Intent to create a new rule

Public hearing or comments

Stakeholder webinars held February 2, 2022 and February 3, 2022

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

Moving and nonmoving violations

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Moving and nonmoving violations defined (WAC 308-104-160)

We're adding more offenses to our list of moving and nonmoving violations.

Current step

November 30, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held November 22, 2022

Veteran and military license plates

  • Vehicle and boat registration
In progress

Current rule(s)

Veterans remembrance and military service award license plate (WAC 308-96A-530)

We plan to add the Prevent Veteran Suicide license plate emblem to the list of other military license plate emblems. We also plan to explain the differences between the requirements to issue this new emblem and other military emblems.

Current step

August 23, 2022

Intent to change a rule

Public hearing or comments

See the preproposal statement of inquiry for information about submitting comments.

Online driver license and ID card renewals

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Renewal of driver's license or identicard by electronic commerce—Eligibility (WAC 308-104-019)

We're allowing people under 25 years old to renew their driver license or ID card online.

Current step

April 30, 2021

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held March 9, 2021

Maiden names on applications for driver licenses, ID cards, and permits

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

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

We're updating our policy and procedure for processing applications for driver licenses, ID cards, and instruction permits. We will no longer collect applicants' maiden names. 

Current step

December 28, 2020

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held December 22, 2020

Temporary license plates for off-road vehicle dealers

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Destroyed or wrecked vehicle - Reporting - Rebuilt (WAC 308-56A-460); Definitions (WAC 308-56A-500); Assignment of original registration year (WAC 308-96A- 260); Delivery of off-road vehicle on dealer temporary permit (WAC 308-94A-035)

We're replacing references to temporary permits to with references to temporary license plates.

Current step

May 2, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

See the adopted rulemaking order for information about this process.

Suspending driver licenses due to fraud

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Driver's licenses suspension, cancellation, or denial period for prohibited practices (WAC 308-104-075)

We're updating our policy on how long we can suspend driver licenses due to fraud. We can now issue suspensions that last 0 to 364 days depending on the type of identity fraud, the type of credential involved, the driver's status, and more. This change will support an internal process that driver and vehicle investigators are already using.

Current step

December 28, 2020

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held December 22, 2020

Professional licenses for military spouses

  • All business and professional licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Military spouse requesting an expedited processing (WAC 308-09-015); Military spouse licensing - Equivalency to Washington standards and temporary licensing (308-09-020)

We're changing rules for expedited licensing and timelines for temporary licensing for military spouses. This change follows E2SHB 1009, a law passed during the 2023 legislative session.

Current step

August 22, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

No public hearing was held.

Fleet registration for rental car companies

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Fleet registration (WAC 308-96A-161)

We're allowing rental car companies into the fleet registration process and changing the language of this rule to match our current processes.

Current step

December 10, 2021

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held December 7, 2021