Home / News /
Governor Signs Bill to Limit Unnecessary Driver’s License Requirements for Employment
On April 22, 2025, Governor Bob Ferguson signed Substitute Senate Bill 5501 into law. The legislation prohibits employers from requiring a valid driver’s license as a condition of employment unless driving is an essential function of the position or tied to a legitimate business need.
Disability Rights Washington and partners supported the bill after research showed that unnecessary license requirements can create barriers to employment for people with disabilities and others who do not drive. The new law builds on earlier state efforts to expand employment opportunities, including executive orders issued in 2024 to remove license requirements for Washington State government jobs.
Substitute Senate Bill 5501 will take effect 90 days after the close of the 2025 legislative session.
More information is available at Disability Rights Washington.
