House of Representatives

HB 2506

class G driver licenses

Sponsors: Representatives Cooly, Pierce, Avelar, Blendu et al

DPA	Committee on Transportation
x	Caucus and COW
	Third Read
	As Passed the House

HB 2506 requires holders of a class G license to have a parent or guardian in the vehicle if they are operating the vehicle between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. or if the number of persons in the vehicle exceeds the number of seatbelts.

Current Status

HB 2506 was amended in the Transportation Committee to restrict the time of day the holder of a class G license is permitted to operate a vehicle and add exceptions to this restriction. Applies the class G restrictions to motorcycle licensees.

History

Laws 1999, Chapter 14, Section 12 allows persons under the age of eighteen to apply for a class G driver license. The license is designed for individuals under the age of eighteen who have held an instruction permit for at least five months or who have a valid driver license issued by another jurisdiction. Applicants for a class G license shall have already completed a driver education program approved by the department of transportation or have had a custodial parent or guardian certify in writing that they have completed 25 hours of supervised driving practice with at least five of those hours being at night. Pending passage of exam administered by department of transportation applicants may obtain a class G license. There are currently 36 states that have graduated driver licenses laws with nighttime driving restrictions.

Provisions

· States that a person who holds a class G driver license shall not operate a vehicle on public highways without a parent or guardian in the vehicle if:

(1) it is between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

(2) the number of persons in the motor vehicle exceeds the number of seat belts in the motor vehicle.

Amendments

HB 2506 was amended the Transportation Committee as follows:

· Adds a provision that requires persons that have a class G instruction permit to be subject to the same restrictions as a class a G licensee.

· States that the time of day a class G license is not permitted to operate the vehicle is from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. unless any of the following applies:

1. The person’s parent or guardian is in the motor vehicle.

2. The person is driving to the person’s place of employment or from the person’s place of employment to the person’s residence.

3. The person is involved in an emergency.

· Applies the class G license restrictions to motorcycle licensees.

· States that violators of the Class G and Class M license restrictions are guilty of a civil traffic violation.

·

·

· ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------

· 45th Legislature

· Second Regular Session 2 February 12, 2002

·

· ---------- DOCUMENT FOOTER ---------