Bills to Watch & Legislative Updates

Stay informed about important legislation that may affect our community and the way we drive. Here, you’ll find a regularly updated directory of relevant bills. Whether or not you can attend hearings in person, we want to make sure you have the information you need to stay involved and voice your opinions.

How to Use This Resource:

  • Browse Current Bills: Learn about the legislative proposals on the table and see at a glance how they could impact drivers.

  • Meeting Schedules & Agendas: Find important committee meeting dates, times, and agendas so you can follow discussions, watch live streams, or submit written testimony.

  • Stay Engaged: Use the links and tools provided to contact your representatives, share feedback, and encourage others to stay involved.

Why It Matters: By staying informed and engaged, you help shape decisions that directly affect our roads, our community, and the future of driving. Your voice counts—thank you for staying up to date and involved!

SB 5583 - 2023-24

Improving young driver safety.

Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5583 is a Washington State law aimed at enhancing young driver safety by expanding driver training requirements for individuals aged 18 to 24. Signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on May 11, 2023, the legislation introduces several key changes effective January 1, 2025.

Washington Senate Democrats (Article by Senate Democrats)

Key Provisions of ESSB 5583:

  1. Mandatory Driver Training for Young Adults:

    • Individuals aged 18 to 21 are required to complete a full driver training education course from a licensed private driver training school or a school district before obtaining a driver's license.

    • Individuals aged 22 to 24 must complete either a condensed traffic safety education course or an online, self-paced equivalent, along with at least three hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.

  2. Driver Training Education Voucher Program:

    • The Department of Licensing (DOL) is tasked with establishing a voucher program to cover the average cost of driver training courses for novice drivers from low-income households, subject to available funding.

  3. Traffic Safety Education Grant Program:

    • In collaboration with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), the DOL will create a grant program to help schools initiate or reinstate traffic safety education programs.

  4. Fee Adjustments to Support Programs:

    • The driver's instruction permit fee increases from $25 to $37, and the driver's licensing examination fee rises from $35 to $51, effective October 1, 2023. The additional revenue is intended to fund the voucher and grant programs.

  5. Interactive Map of Driver Training Providers:

    • The DOL is required to publish an interactive map on its website, detailing all driver training education course providers, including contact information, course pricing, and available services by language.

  6. Intermediate License Nighttime Driving Restrictions:

    • Modifications allow intermediate license holders to operate a vehicle between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. if accompanied by a licensed driver aged 25 or older, or for school, religious, or employment activities involving the license holder or an immediate family member.

Implementation Timeline:

  • By October 1, 2024, the DOL must present an implementation plan to the Legislature, detailing strategies for expanding driver training requirements for the specified age groups.

  • The new driver training requirements for individuals aged 18 to 24 are set to take effect on January 1, 2025.

These measures aim to reduce traffic fatalities and accidents among young drivers by ensuring they receive comprehensive driver education before obtaining a license.

Washington State Capitol building with dome, surrounded by greenery and trees, against a blue sky during sunset.

TVW is Washington State’s public affairs network.

They provide gavel-to-gavel (complete and unedited) coverage of:

Legislative Sessions and Committee Hearings – Watch the legislative process in real-time or access archives of past sessions.

State Supreme Court Proceedings – Follow significant legal decisions and arguments as they happen.

Public Policy and Government Events – Stay informed about press conferences, debates, and interviews with state officials.

By offering live and on-demand video, TVW enables Washington residents to stay connected and engaged with the state’s government activities—even if they can’t attend in person.