What happened?

On March 29, 2025, Governor Jay Inslee signed Senate Bill 5501 into law, prohibiting employers from requiring a driver’s license as a condition of employment unless driving is an essential job function or is directly related to a legitimate business purpose. 

Overview:

Washington employers may not:

• Require a valid driver’s license to apply for or hold a job unless driving is essential to the role.
• Include driver’s license requirements in job postings unless clearly justified by the job’s duties.

This protects applicants and employees from discrimination based on whether they possess a driver’s license.

Enforcement and Penalties: The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) will investigate complaints and may:

• Order employers to pay actual damages or $5,000, whichever is greater.
• Add 1% monthly interest on unpaid compensation.
• Impose civil penalties: up to $500 for a first violation and up to $1,000 or 10% of damages for repeat violations.
• Award legal costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees to employees who prevail.
• Wages and interest owed may be calculated retroactively for up to four years from the last violation.

Source References

• Washington SB 5501 – Concerning employer requirements for driving

Resources

• Washington Department of Licensing – Moving to Washington: Get a driver license
• Washington Department of Licensing – Documents for proof of identity

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