09 LC 34
2273S
The
Senate Public Safety Committee offered the following substitute to HB
258:
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Code Section 40-5-22 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the qualifications for a driver's license, so as to allow any person 15 years
of age or older who has a parent or guardian who is medically incapable of being
licensed to operate a motor vehicle to drive with the disabled person in the
vehicle; to amend Code Section 40-5-24 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the issuance of instruction permits, so as to allow a
holder of a valid instruction permit to drive with a disabled guardian or parent
who has been issued an identification card containing the international
handicapped symbol; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective
date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Code
Section 40-5-22 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
qualifications for a driver's license, is amended by revising subsection (b) as
follows:
"(b)(1)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, any
person 14 years of age who has a parent or guardian who is medically incapable
of being licensed to operate a motor vehicle due to visual impairment may apply
for and, subject to the approval of the commissioner, may be issued a restricted
noncommercial Class P instruction permit for the operation of a noncommercial
Class C vehicle. Any person permitted pursuant to this subsection shall be
accompanied by such visually impaired parent or guardian whenever operating a
motor vehicle.
(2)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this Code section, any
person 15 years of age or older who has a parent or guardian who is medically
incapable of being licensed to operate a motor vehicle due to physical
impairment and has been issued an identification card containing the
international handicapped symbol pursuant to Article 8 of this chapter may apply
for and, subject to the approval of the commissioner, may be issued a restricted
noncommercial Class P instruction permit for the operation of a noncommercial
Class C vehicle. Any person permitted pursuant to this paragraph shall be
accompanied whenever operating a motor vehicle by such physically impaired
parent or guardian or by a person at least 21 years of age who is licensed as a
driver for a commercial or noncommercial Class C vehicle, who is fit and capable
of exercising control over the vehicle, and who is occupying a seat beside the
driver. The department shall require satisfactory proof that the physically
impaired parent or guardian previously held a valid driver's license in the
State of Georgia, another state, or the District of Columbia before issuing an
instructional permit pursuant to this
paragraph."
SECTION
2.
Code
Section 40-5-24 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the
issuance of instruction permits, is amended by revising paragraph (1) of
subsection (a) as follows:
"(a)(1)(A)
Any resident of this state who is at least 15 years of age may apply to the
department for an instruction permit to operate a noncommercial Class C vehicle.
The department shall, after the applicant has successfully passed all parts of
the examination referred to in Code Section 40-5-27 other than the driving test,
issue to the applicant an instruction permit which shall entitle the applicant,
while having such permit in his or her immediate possession, to drive a Class C
vehicle upon the public highways for a period of two years when accompanied by a
person at least 21 years of age who is licensed as a driver for a commercial or
noncommercial Class C vehicle, who is fit and capable of exercising control over
the vehicle, and who is occupying a seat beside the driver.
(B)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, any person
holding a valid Class C instructional permit may drive a Class C motor vehicle
when accompanied by a disabled parent or guardian who has been issued an
identification card containing the international handicapped symbol pursuant to
Article 8 of this
chapter."
SECTION
3.
This
Act shall become effective on July 1, 2009.
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.