OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation intended to speed up the process of issuing and renewing commercial driver licenses (CDLs) in Oklahoma cleared the Legislature with little opposition and was sent to the Governor on Tuesday for his consideration.
House Bill 1059 introduces several changes to help make the process of getting or renewing REAL ID compliant and non-compliant licenses, especially CDLs, more efficient by allowing those applications to be processed by tag agencies as well as the Department of Public Safety.
The legislation whisked through the House of Representatives in February, 91-2, and cleared the Senate, 38-5, on Monday.
Principal authors of the measure were Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow, and Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan.
Legislators have received an earful “from many of our constituents who are upset with the large backlog and months-long wait times, and I believe House Bill 1059 will be a positive step forward to help alleviate this problem,” Boles said. “These changes would make the process more efficient for Oklahomans and ease some of the burden on DPS.”
HB 1059 “will help companies and industries get more drivers on the road while also reducing the number of people standing in lines,” Garvin said. “The pandemic and introducing REAL IDs have created a perfect storm that has overwhelmed DPS and tag agencies. These changes will help address some of the issues and help get licenses processed faster.”
As an example, the Lawton Fort Sill Tag Agency reported Tuesday that it is booked up through August by individuals applying for some kind of driver’s license.
That same day, Westlake Tag Agency in northwest Oklahoma City was booked in 30-minute increments completely through October, and several appointments had already made on dates in November and December, by individuals applying for a REAL ID driver’s license, renewal of a regular DL, a new or renewed CDL, or a personal ID card.
HB 1059 removes provisions that currently allow commercial learner permit holders to take a CDL knowledge and skills test without training. “This change reconciles state statute with federal law set to go into effect in 2022,” authors of the measure said.
The legislation authorizes local tag agencies to issue renewals, replacements, change of addresses, and downgrades of REAL ID compliant and non-compliant Class A, B or Class C (CDL) licenses, making the process more efficient for customers.
The bill also authorizes agents to review identification documents for REAL ID compliant and non-compliant CDLs.
The bill further allows agents to issue a REAL ID compliant or non-compliant ID card to a customer even if his/her license is expired or suspended, so long as they have an existing DPS driver license file and the requisite documentation. Currently the requesting person must have a valid unexpired license to get an ID from an agent.
Third Party Examiners (non-Department of Public Safety CDL examiners) will be allowed to test anyone with a CDL permit, whereas currently they can administer driving tests only to their own students.
Finally, the bill removes the $25 cap on fees that designated examiners may charge to administer a Class D driving skills test.
HB 1059 was supported by the DPS and the State Chamber, Boles and Garvin said.