Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 46.20 - Drivers' Licenses—Identicards.
46.20.021 - New residents.

RCW 46.20.021
New residents.

(1) New Washington residents must obtain a valid Washington driver's license within thirty days from the date they become residents.
(2) To qualify for a Washington driver's license, a person must surrender to the department all valid driver's licenses that any other jurisdiction has issued to him or her. The department must invalidate the surrendered photograph license and may return it to the person.
(a) The invalidated license, along with a valid temporary Washington driver's license provided for in RCW 46.20.065, is proper identification.
(b) The department shall notify the previous issuing department that the licensee is now licensed in a new jurisdiction.
(3) For the purposes of obtaining a valid driver's license, a resident is a person who manifests an intent to live or be located in this state on more than a temporary or transient basis. Evidence of residency includes but is not limited to:
(a) Becoming a registered voter in this state; or
(b) Receiving benefits under one of the Washington public assistance programs; or
(c) Declaring residency for the purpose of obtaining a state license or tuition fees at resident rates.
(4)(a) "Washington public assistance programs" means public assistance programs that receive more than fifty percent of the combined costs of benefits and administration from state funds.
(b) "Washington public assistance programs" does not include:
(i) The Food Stamp program under the federal Food Stamp Act of 1964;
(ii) Programs under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. Secs. 1771 through 1788;
(iii) Temporary Assistance for Needy Families; and
(iv) Any other program that does not meet the criteria of (a) of this subsection.

[ 1999 c 6 § 5. Prior: 1997 c 66 § 3; 1997 c 59 § 8; 1996 c 307 § 5; prior: 1991 c 293 § 3; 1991 c 73 § 1; 1990 c 250 § 33; 1988 c 88 § 1; 1985 c 302 § 2; 1979 ex.s. c 136 § 53; 1965 ex.s. c 121 § 2.]
NOTES:

Rules of court: Bail in criminal traffic offense cases—Mandatory appearance—CrRLJ 3.2.


Intent—1999 c 6: See note following RCW 46.04.168.


Effective date—Severability—1979 ex.s. c 136: See notes following RCW 46.63.010.


Purpose—Construction—1965 ex.s. c 121: "With the advent of greatly increased interstate vehicular travel and the migration of motorists between the states, the legislature recognizes the necessity of enacting driver licensing laws which are reasonably uniform with the laws of other states and are at the same time based upon sound, realistic principles, stated in clear explicit language. To achieve these ends the legislature does hereby adopt this 1965 amendatory act relating to driver licensing modeled after the Uniform Vehicle Code subject to such variances as are deemed better suited to the people of this state. It is intended that this 1965 amendatory act be liberally construed to effectuate the purpose of improving the safety of our highways through driver licensing procedures within the framework of the traditional freedoms to which every motorist is entitled." [ 1965 ex.s. c 121 § 1.]

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