PERMANENT RULES
Date of Adoption: August 23, 2000.
Purpose: To allow employers to retrieve company vehicles when an employee has been arrested for driving with a suspended license and to require that employers and spouses show significant hardship before the vehicle can be released to them.
Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 204-96-010.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.55.113, 46.55.120.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 00-15-036 on July 13, 2000.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, Amended 1, Repealed 0.
Other Findings Required by Other Provisions of Law as Precondition to Adoption or Effectiveness of Rule: The effective date is necessary because of imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare. The amendment prevents unnecessary harm to employers and their business operations by suspended employees.Effective Date of Rule: August 24, 2000.
August 23, 2000
Annette M. Sandberg
Chief
OTS-4021.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 99-18-026, filed 8/24/99,
effective 9/24/99)
WAC 204-96-010
Vehicle impounds.
When a driver of a vehicle is arrested for a violation of:
| RCW 46.61.502 | Driving under the influence, |
| RCW 46.61.504 | Physical control of vehicle under the influence, |
| RCW 46.20.342 | Driving while license suspended or revoked, |
| RCW 46.20.420 | Operation of motor vehicle under other license/permit prohibited while suspended or revoked, |
If the driver is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342 (1)(c) (3rd degree suspended/revoked) and has no convictions for violations of RCW 46.20.342 in the past five years, the vehicle shall be impounded, but no suspended driver hold shall be placed on the vehicle. If the driver is also the registered owner then the vehicle shall be held until all outstanding penalties, fines, and forfeitures owed by him/her are satisfied. The driver/registered owner must present proof from a court of law that he/she has no outstanding penalties, fines, or forfeitures.
If the driver is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342 (1)(c) (3rd degree suspended/revoked) and has any prior convictions for violations of RCW 46.20.342 in the past five years, the vehicle shall be held for thirty days.
If the driver of the vehicle is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342 (1)(a) or (b) (1st or 2nd degree suspended/revoked) and has no convictions for violations of RCW 46.20.342 in the past five years, the vehicle shall be held for thirty days.
If the driver of the vehicle is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342 (1)(a) or (b) (1st or 2nd degree suspended/revoked) and has been convicted of a violation of RCW 46.20.342 (1)(a) or (b) in the past five years, the vehicle shall be held for sixty days.
If the driver of the vehicle is arrested for a violation of RCW 46.20.342 (1)(a) or (b) (1st or 2nd degree suspended/revoked) and has been convicted of a violation of RCW 46.20.342 (1)(a) or (b) two or more times in the past five years, the vehicle shall be held for ninety days.
The release of all vehicles impounded under this WAC shall be governed by RCW 46.55.120. Commercially rented vehicles may be impounded, however no suspended driver holds shall be placed upon the vehicle. The rental company shall be notified by phone.
A vehicle may be released prior to the mandated hold period if the employer or spouse of the arrested driver establishes significant economic or personal hardship with the district commander of the district in which the vehicle was impounded. In making a hardship determination, the district commander shall consider public safety factors, including the driver's criminal history and driving record. All hardship release requests shall be in writing. Any denial or approval of a hardship release shall be in writing and shall include factors considered by the district commander in reaching the decision.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 46.55.113 and 46.55.120. 99-18-026, § 204-96-010, filed 8/24/99, effective 9/24/99.]