A Department of Licensing representative told a legislative committee that the agency is proposing a phased expansion of driver education and consideration of broader graduated driver license requirements to reduce crashes and reach drivers “throughout their lifespan.”

The proposal would combine a multi-stage expansion of who must complete formal driver education with steps to grow instructor capacity. The presenter said the department “envision[s] that we could potentially create phased, not just going from 0 to age 25,” describing an approach that could start with 18–21 and later extend to older age bands depending on industry capacity.

Why it matters: committee members pressed the agency on how fast changes could be implemented and who would pay for them. Representative Klicker and others said rural areas face acute gaps in access to driver training; the Department of Licensing representative said the department is seeking appropriations to fund “micro grama back to public schools” and to create a system to address “driver education deserts” so residents can get training “where they need it, when they need it.”

Key details and implementation steps

- Phased expansion: The presenter sketched a two-stage example: an initial expansion covering ages 18–21 (described as a roughly 40% expansion in scope) followed by a later expansion to ages 21–24 (described as an additional 60% expansion). The committee was told these percentages reflect potential increases in program capacity rather than statutory mandates yet to be drafted.

- Instructor certification and pilot: Current law requires at least 100 hours of combined theory and practicum to become a certified driver education instructor, the presenter said. The department will run a pilot offering a 10-week mix of synchronous and asynchronous instruction plus behind-the-wheel training intended to shorten that pathway and broaden who can teach. The presenter said the department has worked with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and that community and technical colleges, existing driver training schools, public and private partners are options to scale instruction.

- Public-school role and private providers: The presenter said the intent is not to replace the private driver-training industry but to fill gaps where private providers are not available. Representative Klicker and others urged returning driver education to public high schools; the presenter said OSPI is “very interested” and some public-school staff are pursuing instructor certification.

- Enforcement, penalties and outreach: Committee members asked whether younger drivers would face harsher penalties for reckless driving. The presenter said the state currently does not impose harsher monetary penalties by age, but graduated-license penalties exist for those under 18 (including license suspension). The department already sends letters to parents for drivers under 18 and to drivers aged 18–22 to engage them about consequences; the presenter said changing penalties would be “a topic for consideration” if graduated licensing is expanded.

- Funding and near-term actions: The presenter said the most important near-term step would be appropriations to support pilots and micro-grant programs that reintroduce driver education into public schools and seed instructor training. Committee members asked the department to return with specifics on what could be done in the current legislative session.

Questions and committee reaction

Representative Denn asked whether the agency was considering mandatory driver education for older age bands and whether the plan meant different ages in different slides; the presenter replied that a phased approach was intended to accommodate capacity growth. Representatives from rural districts, including Klicker and Donahue, emphasized access problems and supported funding pilots. Representative Lee invited the department to test programs in Clark County given local indicators on the department’s maps.

Ending

Committee members asked the department to follow up with specific legislative recommendations, cost estimates, and pilot locations; the presenter emphasized the department’s request for appropriations and its pilot schedule to expand instructor certification and to deploy education where gaps exist.