Question: Dian Tallman of Gig Harbor wonders why drivers don’t have to show proof of insurance each time they go to renew license tabs. “This is such a simple question, and would take all the uninsured drivers off the roads, which in turn would lessen traffic, fuel consumption and no doubt bring insurance rates down for those of us who are conscientious law-abiding drivers,” Tallman concludes.

Answer: Drivers are required to carry proof of insurance (or alternative “financial responsibility”) and furnish it to a law enforcement official upon request.

Department of Licensing spokesman Brad Benfield says his agency isn’t allowed to check proof of insurance. “Our current law also does not make having insurance a condition for licensing a vehicle,” he said. “Instead, it is a traffic infraction that carries a monetary penalty. We would need specific legislative authorization to withhold vehicle registrations if a citizen doesn’t have proof of insurance.”

The proof-of-insurance issue comes up perennially in Olympia, most recently in 2007. Sen. Jim Kastama, D-Puyallup, sponsored a proposal that would have required the Department of Licensing to randomly check compliance of vehicle owners.

Proponents say such an audit system, like the one used in Oregon, could improve compliance and lower insurance rates. Social service advocates used a variety of arguments against the idea, according to the legislative record, including that insurance is just too expensive for poor people and that cracking down would constitute a barrier to employment. Others noted that enforcement efforts in other states have been expensive and led to counterfeiting of insurance cards. The bill died in committee.