Chapter 16.25
Uniform Commercial Driver’s License Act

Sections:

16.25.020 One License Limit.

16.25.030 Duties of Driver – Notice to Department and Employer.

16.25.040 Duties of Employer.

16.25.050 Commercial Driver’s License Required – Exceptions, Restrictions.

16.25.110 Driving with Alcohol in System.

16.25.170 Civil and Criminal Penalties.

16.25.020 One License Limit.

No person who drives a commercial motor vehicle may have more than one driver’s license.

[Ord. C31398 § 210; Passed: 6/5/1995]

16.25.030 Duties of Driver – Notice to Department and Employer.

1.   

a.   A driver of a commercial motor vehicle holding a driver’s license issued by this state who is convicted of violating a state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control in any other state or federal, provincial, territorial or municipal laws of Canada, other than parking violations, shall notify the department in the manner specified by rule of the department within thirty days of the date of conviction.

b.   A driver of a commercial motor vehicle holding a driver’s license issued by this state who is convicted of violating a state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control in this or any other state or federal, provincial, territorial or municipal laws of Canada, other than parking violations, shall notify his or her employer in writing of the conviction within thirty days of the date of conviction.

c.   The notification requirements contained in subsections (1)(a) and (1)(b) of this section as they relate to the federal, provincial, territorial or municipal laws of Canada become effective only when the federal law or federal rules are changed to require the notification or a bilateral or multilateral agreement is entered into between the State of Washington and any Canadian province implementing essentially the same standards of regulation and penalties of all parties as encompassed in this chapter.

2.   A driver whose driver’s license is suspended, revoked or canceled by a state, who loses the privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle in a state for any period, or who is disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for any period, shall notify his or her employer of that fact before the end of the business day following the day the driver received notice of that fact.

3.   A person who applies to be a commercial motor vehicle driver shall provide the employer, at the time of application, with the following information for the ten years preceding the date of application:

a.   A list of the names and addresses of the applicant’s previous employers for which the applicant was a driver of a commercial motor vehicle;

b.   The dates between which the applicant drove for each employer; and

c.   The reason for leaving that employer. The applicant shall certify that all information furnished is true and complete. An employer may require an applicant to provide additional information.

[Ord. C31398 § 211; Passed: 6/5/1995]

16.25.040 Duties of Employer.

1.   An employer shall require the applicant to provide the information specified in RCW 46.25.030(3).

2.   No employer may knowingly allow, permit, or authorize a driver to drive a commercial motor vehicle during any period:

a.   In which the driver has a driver’s license suspended, revoked, or canceled by a state, has lost the privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle in a state, or has been disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle; or

b.   In which the driver has more than one driver’s license.

[Ord. C31398 § 212; Passed: 6/5/1995]

16.25.050 Commercial Driver’s License Required – Exceptions, Restrictions.

1.   Drivers of commercial motor vehicles shall obtain a commercial driver’s license as required under RCW chapter 46.25. Except when driving under a commercial driver’s instruction permit and a valid automobile or classified license and accompanied by the holder of a commercial driver’s license valid for the vehicle being driven, no person may drive a commercial motor vehicle unless the person holds and is in immediate possession of a commercial driver’s license and applicable endorsements valid for the vehicle they are driving. However, this requirement does not apply to any person:

a.   Who is the operator of a farm vehicle, and the vehicle is:

i.  Controlled and operated by a farmer;

ii. Used to transport either agricultural products, farm machinery, farm supplies, or any combination of those materials to or from a farm;

iii. Not used in the operations of a common or contract motor carrier; and

iv. Used within one hundred fifty miles of the person’s farm; or

b.   Who is a fire fighter of law enforcement officer operating emergency equipment, and:

i.  The fire fighter or law enforcement officer has successfully completed a driver training course approved by the director; and

ii. The fire fighter or law enforcement officer carries a certificate attesting to the successful completion of the approved training course; or

c.   Who is operating a recreational vehicle for noncommercial purposes. As used in this section, “recreational vehicle” includes a vehicle towing a horse trailer for a noncommercial purpose.

2.   No person may drive a commercial motor vehicle while his or her driving privilege is suspended, revoked, or canceled, while subject to disqualification, or in violation of an out-of-service order. Violations of this subsection or RCW 46.25.050(2) shall be punished in the same way as violations of RCW 46.20.342(1), or the equivalent provisions of this title.

[Ord. C31398 § 213; Passed: 6/5/1995]

16.25.110 Driving with Alcohol in System.

1.   Notwithstanding any other provision of this title or RCW title 46, a person may not drive, operate, or be in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle while having alcohol in his or her system.

2.   Law enforcement or appropriate officials shall issue an out-of-service order valid for twenty-four hours against a person who drives, operates, or is in physical control of a commercial motor vehicle while having alcohol in his or her system or who refuses to take a test to determine his or her alcohol content as provided by RCW 46.25.120.

[Ord. C31398 § 214; Passed: 6/5/1995]

16.25.170 Civil and Criminal Penalties.

1.   Reserved.

2.   A person who violates or fails to comply with, or who procures, aids, or abets in the violation of any provision of RCW 46.25.020, 46.25.030, 46.25.040, 46.25.050, or 46.25.110, or the equivalent provisions of this title, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

[Ord. C31398 § 215; Passed: 6/5/1995]