List of rulemaking activity

Specialty license plates

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Special license plates - Criteria for creation or continued issuance (WAC 308-96A-560)

We clarified specialty plate design guidelines by requiring new designs to show the jurisdiction at the top of the plate.

Current step

October 20, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held on October 11, 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.

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

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.

Limousine vehicle requirements

  • All business and professional licensing
    • Limousines
Completed

Current rule(s)

Definitions (308-83-10 WAC)

We're decreasing the wheelbase requirement for executive sedans and SUVs as well as the passenger requirements for executive vans. This means that more modern vehicles will now meet the definition of a limousine.

Current step

April 6, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held April 4, 2023

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

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

Certifying signatures for vehicle and boat registration

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Certification of signature (WAC 308-56A-275); Certification of signatures (WAC 308-93-470)

We're clarified the process to certify signatures for vehicle and boat registration. We also removed outdated references to operator numbers so you can more easily comply with the rules.

Current step

November 20, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

A public hearing was held on November 8, 2023 at 10 a.m.

Reimbursements for abandoned recreational vehicles (RVs)

  • Vehicle and boat registration
Completed

Current rule(s)

Abandoned recreational vehicle - Rates and caps (WAC 308-61-215)

We're updating the abandoned recreational vehicle (RV) standardized reimbursement schedule. These changes will increase the reimbursement rates and caps.

Current step

October 3, 2023

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held on September 28, 2023

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