Long lines at state Department of Licensing offices may soon be a thing of the past.
The House passed legislation today that would allow DOL to authorize traffic safety schools to administer the driver exams. Rep. Dave Upthegrove, the bill's sponsor, says the change would remove the most time-intensive staff function from DOL offices, freeing up more personnel to provide customer service at the counter.
In some areas, wait times at DOL offices are measured in hours rather than minutes.
"You take a number and sit in an uncomfortable plastic chair and you wait. And you wait. And you wait," Upthegrove said on the House floor today.
He was motivated to sponsor the measure because the problem seems to be universally recognized, but the Department of Licensing hasn't provided a fix yet.
There are approximately 200 private driving schools in Washington, but only 30 driver licensing offices. Consumers will have more options by being able to take the exam at one of the driving schools, Rep. Upthegrove says.
Additionally, the bill increases the renewal period for driver's licenses from five years to six years. It also gives people who opt to renew their licenses online a five dollar price break off the renewal cost.
