List of rulemaking activity

Waiving driver education requirements

  • Driver licensing
In progress

Current rule(s)

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

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

Current step

April 17, 2024

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're holding a public hearing on May 29, 2024.
1 p.m.
Join the Zoom meeting
Meeting ID: 872 4157 7435
Passcode: 615795
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Dial by your location: +1-253-215-8782 US (Tacoma) or
+1-253-205-0468 US

If you're having difficulty joining the Zoom meeting at the time of the public hearing, please call us at 360-902-0131.

An in-person option is available at the highways and licensing building located at:
1125 Washington St SE
Olympia, WA 98504
Map and directions

Submit comments online

Definitions for business rules, guidelines, and administrative reviews

  • Driver licensing
In progress

Current rule(s)

Title 308 WAC: Department of Licensing

We're considering rulemaking to clarify document review and interviews related to administrative reviews. We conduct reviews when someone objects to actions we make that affect their eligibility to operate a vehicle. Standard procedures will include eligibility, evidence for review, authority of the review, and other legal remedies available post-review.

Current step

April 17, 2024

Intent to create a new rule

Public hearing or comments

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

Training school interactive map

  • Driver licensing
In progress

Current rule(s)

Washington State Department of Licensing (Title 308 WAC)

We're creating a process for training and safety schools to provide us with certain information. This information may include:

• The names of training and testing providers.
• Training and testing locations.
• Contact information.
• Course and program pricing.
• Services offered by language.

We'll use this information to create an interactive map on our website.

Current step

April 3, 2024

Intent to create a new rule

Public hearing or comments

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

Motorcycle permit and endorsement requirements

  • Driver licensing
Completed

Current rule(s)

Motorcycle permit and endorsement requirements (Chapter 308-109 WAC)

We created new WAC chapters to address criteria for the issuance of motorcycle instructional permits and endorsements for 2- and 3-wheel motorcycles.

Current step

January 18, 2024

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

We held a public hearing on November 27, 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.

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.

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

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
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.

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