OLYMPIA – The time spent waiting to obtain or renew a driver’s license will decrease thanks to legislation signed by the governor yesterday afternoon.
The idea for House Bill 1635 was conceived by state Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D – Des Moines), after hearing from constituents, friends, and family members about excruciatingly long wait times at some state Department of Licensing offices. He realized there was an opportunity to improve the customer service experience.
“The most time-consuming staff function at licensing offices is administering the driver’s exam,” Upthegrove said. “This bill allows the state to accept the results of driver’s exams taken through an approved driver training school or driver’s education program, which will reduce the number of people taking the exam through the state.”
Under current state law, anyone under the age of 18 must pass a driver’s education course in order to be eligible for a driver’s license. The culmination of a driver’s education course is usually the driving exam. Instead of students having to take a second driving exam through the Department of Licensing, the Department will accept the results of the driver training course exam.
Families will be spared the hassle of having to arrange another exam for their minor children, and fewer people will need to take the exam at licensing offices.
Those over the age of 18 can also take the driving exam through an approved driver training course instead of through the Department of Licensing. There are approximately 200 driver training schools throughout Washington, compared with 30 state licensing offices.
Upthegrove says decreasing the demand for the driver’s exam will enable state licensing staff to serve more customers at the counter.
“This is an example of rethinking how government provides a particular service,” Upthegrove said. “Licensing offices are the face of state government, and this change makes that face more customer-friendly.”