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

May 1, 2024

Rule change proposed

Public hearing or comments

We're holding a public hearing on June 13, 2024.
3 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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