Maybe this law sounds a little bit archaic to you, and, in fact, it is, but until now, many states across the U.S. had barriers that prohibited people without a driver’s license from getting a job… Of course, this law is (and was) an absurd restriction that, for many years, kept people out of the labour market under an incredible excuse: “you cannot work here because you don’t have a driver’s license”. What? Why?!!
People with disabilities, young people who haven’t got money enough to pay the test, and even migrants who had just arrived to the country (so they have no documentation for this) were unfairly excluded from working.
But, this unfairness has just come to an end. At least in Washington, from July 27 of this year, that absurd norm finally ends, no one can ask you for your driver’s license when applying to a job, fair and simple, Law SB5501 has officially been approved.
The license is unnecessary
That’s what this law is basically saying: if the job you’re applying for has nothing to do with driving… They can’t require a license. Until recently, they would even ask for a driver’s license for an office job as a telephone operator! It’s estimated that 12% of Washington residents have some kind of disability, and it’s practically impossible for them to find a work. That’s why it was urgent to change this law. For those people and for others that just don’t want to have a driver’s license.
They’ve been asking for this for years
Anna Zivarts, director of the Disability Mobility Initiative (the movement behind ending this law), explains it better than anyone: “even if we live in well-connected areas or work from home, they still ask us for a license for no reason”. This new law forces employers to justify when driving is truly necessary. And if it’s not, they can’t require it. Makes sense now, right?
So, in other words and according to this bill, only people who are going to use a vehicle will be required to have a driver’s license.
It’s not just for people with disabilities
How many people in the United States don’t have a driver’s license? All those people have seen how they couldn’t apply for a job because they needed that document. Remote work, public transportation, and even bicycles are the new norm, the job market needed a change too, don’t you think so? This law doesn’t come as a novelty but as a response to a real need of citizens.
Are there other states doing similar changes?
Of course, SB 5501 will also be applied in California and Oregon. And honestly, we hope more states join this initiative because we believe it’s really important: access to any job shouldn’t depend on unnecessary barriers.
On the other hand, Ohio will include road safety education in schools thanks to changes in Mike DeWine’s education policy.
Senator Derek Stanford, one of the promoters of the law, summed it up like saying we shouldn’t exclude qualified candidates just because they don’t drive. And we agree with him, of course.
The other side of the coin
While some states are removing obstacles, others are doing the opposite. In Kentucky, for example, 15-year-olds can now apply for a license. A bet on individual mobility that contrasts with the inclusive vision of states like Washington.
One of them prioritizes the inclusion, the other, speed… Here raises the difference between both. But in a country with an unequal public transportation and a labour market that’s changing at full speed, choosing to break down barriers seems like a better move, or at least, a much more human.
And you? What do you think about this? Let us know!