| HB 1059 - Driver's license; persons under 18; driver training course |
First Reader Summary
A BILL to amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the
Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance,
expiration, and renewal of drivers' licenses, so as to require
satisfactory completion of a driver's training course for the
issuance of a driver's license to any person under the age of 18;
and for other purposes.
HB 1059 LC 22 3361
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
1- 1 To amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official
1- 2 Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration,
1- 3 and renewal of drivers' licenses, so as to require
1- 4 satisfactory completion of a driver's training course for
1- 5 the issuance of a driver's license to any person under the
1- 6 age of 18; to provide for rules and regulations; to provide
1- 7 for related matters; to provide an effective date and for
1- 8 automatic repeal in specified circumstances; to repeal
1- 9 conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
1-10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
1-11 SECTION 1.
1-12 Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of
1-13 Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and
1-14 renewal of drivers' licenses, is amended by inserting in
1-15 Code Section 40-5-22, relating to persons ineligible for
1-16 licenses and requirements relative to age, alcohol and drug
1-17 courses, and school attendance, a new subsection to be
1-18 designated subsection (a.2) to read as follows:
1-19 "(a.2) The department shall not issue a driver's license
1-20 to a person who is younger than 18 years of age unless, at
1-21 the time such minor submits an application for a driver's
1-22 license, the applicant presents acceptable proof that he
1-23 or she has successfully completed a driver's training
1-24 course. The State Board of Education and the Board of
1-25 Public Safety are authorized to promulgate rules and
1-26 regulations to implement the provisions of this
1-27 subsection."
1-28 SECTION 2.
1-29 Said article is further amended by striking in its entirety
1-30 subsection (a) of Code Section 40-5-24, relating to
1-31 instruction permits, graduated licensing and related
1-32 restrictions, and temporary licenses, and inserting in lieu
1-33 thereof the following:
-1-
2- 1 "(a)(1) Any resident of this state who is at least 15
2- 2 years of age may apply to the department for an
2- 3 instruction permit to operate a noncommercial Class C
2- 4 vehicle. The department shall, after the applicant has
2- 5 successfully passed all parts of the examination
2- 6 referred to in Code Section 40-5-27 other than the
2- 7 driving test, issue to the applicant an instruction
2- 8 permit which shall entitle the applicant, while having
2- 9 such permit in his or her immediate possession, to drive
2-10 a Class C vehicle upon the public highways for a period
2-11 of two years when accompanied by a person at least 21
2-12 years of age who is licensed as a driver for a
2-13 commercial or noncommercial Class C vehicle, who is fit
2-14 and capable of exercising control over the vehicle, and
2-15 who is occupying a seat beside the driver.
2-16 (2) A person who has been issued an instruction permit
2-17 under this subsection and has never been issued a Class
2-18 D driver's license under subsection (b) of this Code
2-19 section will become eligible for a Class D driver's
2-20 license under subsection (b) of this Code section only
2-21 if such person is at least 16 years of age, has a valid
2-22 instruction permit which is not under suspension,
2-23 provides to the department acceptable proof of
2-24 satisfactory completion of a driver's training course
2-25 pursuant to subsection (a.2) of Code Section 40-5-22,
2-26 and, for a period of not less than 12 consecutive months
2-27 prior to making application for a Class D driver's
2-28 license, has not been convicted of a violation of Code
2-29 Section 40-6-391, hit and run or leaving the scene of an
2-30 accident in violation of Code Section 40-6-270, racing
2-31 on highways or streets, using a motor vehicle in fleeing
2-32 or attempting to elude an officer, reckless driving, or
2-33 convicted of any offense for which four or more points
2-34 are assessable under subsection (c) of Code Section
2-35 40-5-57.
2-36 (3) This subsection does not apply to instruction
2-37 permits for the operation of motorcycles."
2-38 SECTION 3.
2-39 This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2001, only if
2-40 an amendment to the Constitution is ratified which
2-41 authorizes the General Assembly to provide for a charge in
2-42 addition to fees for registration and license plates for
2-43 motor vehicles and for allocation of all or any portion of
2-44 such additional charge to the Drivers' Training Trust Fund,
-2-
3- 1 for the purpose of providing drivers' training in the public
3- 2 schools of this state. If such an amendment is not
3- 3 ratified, this Act shall be automatically repealed on
3- 4 January 1, 2001, and shall be void and of no effect.
3- 5 SECTION 4.
3- 6 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are
3- 7 repealed.
-3-
Clerk of the House
Robert E. Rivers, Jr., Clerk
Last Updated on 03/22/99
