Rulemaking

See which rules we're working on now, learn about the rulemaking process, and find out how to participate.

Learn how we make rules

Find out how we create and change rules related to licensing.

Understand the terms we use

Read our rulemaking definitions for the terms we use when working on rules.

See our semiannual rulemaking agenda

Our semiannual rulemaking agenda is the current list of rule changes that we're considering. We update it twice a year.

Comment on a rule

Email RulesCoordinator@dol.wa.gov to comment on a rule.

Request information in an alternative format

If you need audio files of public hearings in a different format, please email RulesCoordinator@dol.wa.gov.

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List of rulemaking activity

Age requirements for driver knowledge exams

Driver licensing

Completed

Current rule(s)

Administration of examinations (WAC 308-110-030 and WAC 308-104-046)

Summary

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

Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 3 minutes)
Audio transcript

Fees for ignition interlock devices

Driver licensing

Completed

Current rule(s)

Ignition interlock device revolving account (WAC 308-107-050)

Summary

We're increasing the fee for a new ignition interlock device to $21.

Current step

January 18, 2022

Rule change adopted

Public hearing or comments

No public hearing was held.

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

Proposed rule documents

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)

Summary

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

Adopted rule documents

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held October 25, 2022

Moving and nonmoving violations

Driver licensing

Completed

Current rule(s)

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

Summary

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

Current step

November 30, 2022

Rule change adopted

Adopted rule documents

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing held November 22, 2022

Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 3 minutes)
Audio transcript

Suspended driver licenses and safe driving courses

Driver licensing

Completed

Current rule(s)

Drivers' licenses (Chapter 308-104 WAC)

Summary

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

Adopted rule documents

Public hearing or comments

Public hearing audio
(mp3 format: 4 minutes)
Audio transcript

Commercial driver license (CDL) definitions

Driver licensing

Withdrawn

Current rule(s)

Definitions (WAC 308-100-005)

Summary

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

Preproposal documents

Withdrawal notice

Public hearing or comments

No public hearing was held.

CDL hearings

Driver licensing

Withdrawn

Current rule(s)

Hearing procedural rules (Chapter 308-101 WAC)

Summary

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

Preproposal documents

Withdrawal notice

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)

Summary

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.