Committee considers allowing safe‑driver course to shorten some license suspensions

The Senate Transportation Committee heard testimony March 31 on Substitute House Bill 1244, a Department of Licensing (DOL) request bill that would permit certain driver's license suspensions to end early if the license holder completes a DOL‑approved safe driving course and pays the $20 replacement license fee.

Under current law, accumulation of three or more moving violations in one year, or four or more in two years, triggers a 60‑day license suspension and a one‑year probationary period after reinstatement; the license holder must surrender their license during the suspension. Committee staff Kelly Simpson said the bill would allow the suspension to end before the 60 days if the person completes a DOL‑approved safe driving course and pays the $20 fee. The early‑end option may be used once every five years and the one‑year probationary period would remain in effect. Simpson reported an estimated fiscal impact of $143,000 to DOL and a projected revenue loss of roughly $13,000.

Representative Sharon Wiley, who described the bill as a department request, testified in support and framed the bill as an educational opportunity for drivers who accumulate minor violations because of inexperience. Alejandro Sanchez, deputy director of the Department of Licensing, testified in support on behalf of DOL and reiterated that the bill is aimed at minor violations—not DUIs or reckless driving—and that it provides a one‑time “off‑ramp” designed to reduce repeat infractions. Sanchez said about 80% of people who take the safe driving course do not receive further infractions during the probation year, and the early‑end option would be available only once every five years.

Senators asked no substantive questions during the hearing. No formal committee action was taken during the public hearing.