(1) The application for an instructor's license shall document the applicant's fitness, knowledge, skills, and abilities to teach the classroom and behind-the-wheel phases of a driver training education program in a commercial driver training school.

     (2) An applicant shall be eligible to apply for an original instructor's certificate if the applicant possesses and meets the following qualifications and conditions:

     (a) Has been licensed to drive for five or more years and possesses a current and valid Washington driver's license or is a resident of a jurisdiction immediately adjacent to Washington state and possesses a current and valid license issued by such jurisdiction, and does not have on his or her driving record any of the violations or penalties set forth in (2)(a) (i), (ii), or (iii) of this section. The director shall have the right to examine the driving record of the applicant from the department of licensing and from other jurisdictions and from these records determine if the applicant has had:

     (i) Not more than one moving traffic violation within the preceding twelve months or more than two moving traffic violations in the preceding twenty-four months;

     (ii) No alcohol-related traffic violation or incident within the preceding seven years; and

     (iii) No driver's license suspension, cancellation, revocation, or denial within the preceding five years;

     (b) Is a high school graduate or the equivalent and at least twenty-one years of age;

     (c) Has completed an acceptable application on a form prescribed by the director;

     (d) Has satisfactorily completed a course of instruction in the training of drivers acceptable to the director that is no less than sixty hours in length and includes instruction in classroom and behind-the-wheel teaching methods and supervised practice behind-the-wheel teaching of driving techniques; and

     (e) Has paid an examination fee as set by rule of the department and has successfully completed an instructor's examination as prepared by the advisory committee, which shall consist of a knowledge test and an actual driving test conducted in a vehicle provided by the applicant. The examination shall determine:

     (i) The applicant's knowledge of driving laws and rules;

     (ii) The applicant's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle; and

     (iii) The applicant's ability to impart this knowledge and ability to others.

[2006 c 219 § 7; 1979 ex.s. c 51 § 6.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2006 c 219: See note following RCW 46.82.285.