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H.B. 343 Enrolled

                 

PRACTICE PERMIT REQUIREMENT

                 
AMENDMENTS

                 
2004 GENERAL SESSION

                 
STATE OF UTAH

                 
Sponsor: Roger E. Barrus

                 
                  LONG TITLE
                  General Description:
                      This bill modifies the Public Safety Code and the State System of Public Education Code
                  to amend the age limit for a practice permit to operate a motor vehicle.
                  Highlighted Provisions:
                      This bill:
                      .    changes the age limit for a student to obtain a practice permit from 15 years and nine
                  months to 15 years and six months of age;
                      .    increases the hours of required driving with a parent or guardian prior to obtaining a
                  driver license;
                      .    allows a school or school district that provides driver education to provide an
                  opportunity for each pupil enrolled in that school or school district to be issued a
                  practice permit when the pupil is 15 years and six months of age;
                      .    allows a certified driver education teacher to issue a practice permit when the pupil
                  is 15 years and six months of age; and
                      .    makes technical changes.
                  Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
                      None
                  Other Special Clauses:
                      This bill takes effect on July 1, 2004.
                  Utah Code Sections Affected:
                  AMENDS:
                      53-3-205, as last amended by Chapter 30, Laws of Utah 2003


                      53-3-210, as last amended by Chapter 85, Laws of Utah 2001
                      53-3-211, as last amended by Chapter 121, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-13-201, as last amended by Chapter 121, Laws of Utah 2003
                      53A-13-208, as last amended by Chapter 28, Laws of Utah 1999
                 
                  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
                      Section 1. Section 53-3-205 is amended to read:
                       53-3-205. Application for license or endorsement -- Fee required -- Tests --
                  Expiration dates of licenses and endorsements -- Information required -- Previous licenses
                  surrendered -- Driving record transferred from other states -- Reinstatement -- Fee
                  required -- License agreement.
                      (1) An application for any original license, provisional license, or endorsement shall be:
                      (a) made upon a form furnished by the division; and
                      (b) accompanied by a nonrefundable fee set under Section 53-3-105 .
                      (2) An application and fee for an original provisional class D license or an original class D
                  license entitle the applicant to:
                      (a) not more than three attempts to pass both the knowledge and skills tests for a class D
                  license within six months of the date of the application;
                      (b) a learner permit if needed after the knowledge test is passed; and
                      (c) an original class D license and license certificate after all tests are passed.
                      (3) An application and fee for an original class M license entitle the applicant to:
                      (a) not more than three attempts to pass both the knowledge and skills tests for a class M
                  license within six months of the date of the application;
                      (b) a learner permit if needed after the knowledge test is passed; and
                      (c) an original class M license and license certificate after all tests are passed.
                      (4) An application and fee for a motorcycle or taxicab endorsement entitle the applicant
                  to:
                      (a) not more than three attempts to pass both the knowledge and skills tests within six

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                  months of the date of the application;
                      (b) a motorcycle learner permit if needed after the motorcycle knowledge test is passed;
                  and
                      (c) a motorcycle or taxicab endorsement when all tests are passed.
                      (5) An application and fees for a commercial class A, B, or C license entitle the applicant
                  to:
                      (a) not more than two attempts to pass a knowledge test and not more than two attempts
                  to pass a skills test within six months of the date of the application;
                      (b) a commercial driver instruction permit if needed after the knowledge test is passed;
                  and
                      (c) an original commercial class A, B, or C license and license certificate when all
                  applicable tests are passed.
                      (6) An application and fee for a CDL endorsement entitle the applicant to:
                      (a) not more than two attempts to pass a knowledge test and not more than two attempts
                  to pass a skills test within six months of the date of the application; and
                      (b) a CDL endorsement when all tests are passed.
                      (7) If a CDL applicant does not pass a knowledge test, skills test, or an endorsement test
                  within the number of attempts provided in Subsection (5) or (6), each test may be taken two
                  additional times within the six months for the fee provided in Section 53-3-105 .
                      (8) (a) An original license expires on the birth date of the applicant in the fifth year
                  following the year the license certificate was issued.
                      (b) A renewal or an extension to a license expires on the birth date of the licensee in the
                  fifth year following the expiration date of the license certificate renewed or extended.
                      (c) A duplicate license expires on the same date as the last license certificate issued.
                      (d) An endorsement to a license expires on the same date as the license certificate
                  regardless of the date the endorsement was granted.
                      (e) A license and any endorsement to the license held by a person ordered to active duty
                  and stationed outside Utah in any of the armed forces of the United States, which expires during

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                  the time period the person is stationed outside of the state, is valid until 90 days after the person
                  has been discharged or has left the service, unless the license is suspended, disqualified, denied, or
                  has been cancelled or revoked by the division, or the licensee updates the information or
                  photograph on the license certificate.
                      (9) (a) In addition to the information required by Title 63, Chapter 46b, Administrative
                  Procedures Act, for requests for agency action, each applicant shall have a Utah residence address
                  and each applicant shall:
                      (i) provide the applicant's:
                      (A) full legal name;
                      (B) birth date;
                      (C) gender;
                      (D) between July 1, 2002 and July 1, 2007, race in accordance with the categories
                  established by the United States Census Bureau;
                      (E) Social Security number or temporary identification number (ITIN) issued by the
                  Internal Revenue Service for a person who does not qualify for a Social Security number; and
                      (F) Utah residence address of the applicant;
                      (ii) provide a description of the applicant;
                      (iii) state whether the applicant has previously been licensed to drive a motor vehicle and,
                  if so, when and by what state or country;
                      (iv) state whether the applicant has ever had any license suspended, cancelled, revoked,
                  disqualified, or denied in the last six years, or whether the applicant has ever had any license
                  application refused, and if so, the date of and reason for the suspension, cancellation, revocation,
                  disqualification, denial, or refusal;
                      (v) state whether the applicant intends to make an anatomical gift under Title 26, Chapter
                  28, Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, in compliance with Subsection (16);
                      (vi) provide all other information the division requires; and
                      (vii) sign the application which signature may include an electronic signature as defined in
                  Section 46-4-102 .

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                      (b) The division shall maintain on its computerized records an applicant's:
                      (i) Social Security number; or
                      (ii) temporary identification number (ITIN).
                      (c) An applicant may not be denied a license for refusing to provide race information
                  required under Subsection (9)(a)(i)(D).
                      (10) The division shall require proof of every applicant's name, birthdate, and birthplace
                  by at least one of the following means:
                      (a) current license certificate;
                      (b) birth certificate;
                      (c) Selective Service registration; or
                      (d) other proof, including church records, family Bible notations, school records, or other
                  evidence considered acceptable by the division.
                      (11) When an applicant receives a license in another class, all previous license certificates
                  shall be surrendered and canceled. However, a disqualified commercial license may not be
                  canceled unless it expires before the new license certificate is issued.
                      (12) (a) When an application is received from a person previously licensed in another
                  state to drive a motor vehicle, the division shall request a copy of the driver's record from the
                  other state.
                      (b) When received, the driver's record becomes part of the driver's record in this state
                  with the same effect as though entered originally on the driver's record in this state.
                      (13) An application for reinstatement of a license after the suspension, cancellation,
                  disqualification, denial, or revocation of a previous license shall be accompanied by the additional
                  fee or fees specified in Section 53-3-105 .
                      (14) A person who has an appointment with the division for testing and fails to keep the
                  appointment or to cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the appointment shall pay the fee under
                  Section 53-3-105 .
                      (15) A person who applies for an original license or renewal of a license agrees that the
                  person's license is subject to any suspension or revocation authorized under this title or Title 41,

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                  Motor Vehicles.
                      (16) (a) The indication of intent under Subsection (9)(a)(v) shall be authenticated by the
                  licensee in accordance with division rule.
                      (b) (i) Notwithstanding Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and
                  Management Act, the division may, upon request, release to an organ procurement organization,
                  as defined in Section 26-28-2 , the names and addresses of all persons who under Subsection
                  (9)(a)(v) indicate that they intend to make an anatomical gift.
                      (ii) An organ procurement organization may use released information only to:
                      (A) obtain additional information for an anatomical gift registry; and
                      (B) inform licensees of anatomical gift options, procedures, and benefits.
                      (17) The division and its employees are not liable, as a result of false or inaccurate
                  information provided under Subsection (9)(a)(v), for direct or indirect:
                      (a) loss;
                      (b) detriment; or
                      (c) injury.
                      Section 2. Section 53-3-210 is amended to read:
                       53-3-210. Temporary learner permit -- Instruction permit -- Commercial driver
                  instruction permit -- Practice permit.
                      (1) (a) The division upon receiving an application for a class D or M license from a
                  person 16 years of age or older may issue a temporary learner permit after the person has
                  successfully passed all parts of the examination not involving actually driving a motor vehicle.
                      (b) The temporary learner permit allows the applicant, while having the permit in the
                  applicant's immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle upon the highways for six months from
                  the date of the application in conformance with the restrictions indicated on the permit.
                      (2) (a) The division, upon receiving an application, may issue an instruction permit
                  effective for one year to an applicant who is at least 15 years and six months of age and who is
                  enrolled in a driver education program that includes practice driving, if the program is approved
                  by the State Board of Education or the division, even though the applicant has not reached the

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                  legal age to be eligible for a license.
                      (b) The instruction permit entitles the applicant, while having the permit in his immediate
                  possession, to drive a motor vehicle, only if an approved instructor is occupying a seat beside the
                  applicant [or in accordance with the requirements of Subsections (4) and 53A-13-208 (4)].
                      (3) The division may issue a commercial driver instruction permit under Title 53, Chapter
                  3, Part 4, Uniform Commercial Driver License Act.
                      (4) (a) The division shall issue a practice permit to an applicant who:
                      (i) is at least 15 years and [nine] six months of age;
                      (ii) has been issued an instruction permit under this section;
                      (iii) is enrolled in a driver education program or has successfully completed a driver
                  education course in a:
                      (A) commercial driver training school licensed under Title 53, Chapter 3, Part 5,
                  Commercial Driver Training Schools Act; or
                      (B) driver education program approved by the division;
                      (iv) has passed the knowledge test required by the division;
                      (v) has passed the physical and mental fitness tests; and
                      (vi) has submitted the nonrefundable fee for a class D license.
                      (b) The division shall supply the practice permit form. The form shall include the
                  following information:
                      (i) the [person's] applicant's full name, date of birth, sex, home address, height, weight,
                  and eye color;
                      (ii) the name of the school providing the driver education course;
                      (iii) the dates of issuance and expiration of the permit;
                      (iv) the statutory citation authorizing the permit; and
                      (v) the conditions and restrictions contained in this section for operating a class D motor
                  vehicle.
                      (c) The practice permit is valid for up to six months from the date of issuance. The
                  practice permit allows the person, while having the permit in the applicant's immediate possession,

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                  to operate a class D motor vehicle when the person's parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse, who
                  must be a licensed driver, is occupying a seat next to the person.
                      (d) If an applicant has been issued a practice permit by the division, the applicant may
                  obtain an original or provisional class D license from the division upon passing the skills test
                  administered by the division and reaching 16 years of age.
                      Section 3. Section 53-3-211 is amended to read:
                       53-3-211. Application of minors -- Liability of person signing application --
                  Cancellation of cosigning adult's liability -- Behind-the-wheel driving certification.
                      (1) As used in this section, "minor" means any person younger than 18 years of age who
                  is not married or has not been emancipated by adjudication.
                      (2) (a) The application of a minor for a temporary learner permit, practice permit, or
                  provisional license shall be signed by the parent or guardian of the applicant.
                      (b) If the minor applicant does not have a parent or guardian, then a responsible adult
                  who is willing to assume the obligation imposed under this chapter may sign the application.
                      (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4), the liability of a minor for civil
                  compensatory damages caused when operating a motor vehicle upon a highway is imputed to the
                  person who has signed the application of the minor under Subsection (2).
                      (b) The person who has signed the application under Subsection (2) is jointly and
                  severally liable with the minor as provided in Subsections (3)(a) and (c).
                      (c) The liability imposed under Subsections (3)(a) and (b) is limited to the policy
                  minimum limits established in Section 31A-22-304 .
                      (d) The liability provisions in this Subsection (3) are in addition to the liability provisions
                  in Section 53-3-212 .
                      (4) If owner's or operator's security covering the minor's operation of the motor vehicle is
                  in effect in amounts as required under Section 31A-22-304 , the person who signed the minor's
                  application under Subsection (2) is not subject to the liability imposed under Subsection (3).
                      (5) (a) A person who has signed the application of a minor under Subsection (2) may file
                  with the division a verified written request that the permit or license of the minor be canceled.

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                      (b) The division shall then cancel the permit or license of the minor, and the person who
                  signed the application of the minor under Subsection (2) is relieved from the liability imposed
                  under Subsection (3) or the minor operating a motor vehicle subsequent to the cancellation.
                      (6) (a) The division upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of the death of the person who
                  signed the application of a minor under Subsection (2) shall cancel the permit or license and may
                  not issue a new permit or license until a new application, signed and verified, is made under this
                  chapter.
                      (b) This Subsection (6) does not apply to an application of a person who is no longer a
                  minor.
                      (7) (a) In addition to the liability assumed under this section, the person who signs the
                  application of a minor for a provisional license must certify that the minor applicant, under the
                  authority of a permit issued under this chapter, has completed at least [30] 40 hours of driving a
                  motor vehicle, of which at least ten hours shall be during night hours after sunset.
                      (b) The hours of driving a motor vehicle required under Subsection (7)(a) may include:
                      (i) hours completed in a driver education course as required under Subsection
                  53-3-505.5 (1); and
                      (ii) up to five hours completed by driving simulation practice on a fully interactive driving
                  simulation device at the substitution rate provided under Subsection 53-3-505.5 (2)(b).
                      Section 4. Section 53A-13-201 is amended to read:
                       53A-13-201. Driver education established by school districts.
                      (1) As used in this part:
                      (a) "driver education" includes classroom instruction and driving and observation in a
                  dual-controlled motor vehicle; and
                      (b) "driving" or "behind-the-wheel driving" means operating a dual-controlled motor
                  vehicle under the supervision of a certified instructor.
                      (2) (a) Local school districts may establish and maintain driver education for pupils.
                      (b) A school or local school district that provides driver education shall provide an
                  opportunity for each pupil enrolled in that school or local school district to take the written test

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                  and be issued a practice permit when the pupil is 15 years and nine months of age.
                      (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (2)(b), a school or local school district
                  that provides driver education may provide an opportunity for each pupil enrolled in that school
                  or school district to be issued a practice permit when the pupil is 15 years and six months of age.
                      (3) The purpose of driver education is to help develop the knowledge, attitudes, habits,
                  and skills necessary for the safe operation of motor vehicles.
                      (4) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
                  State Board of Education shall make rules for driver education offered in the public schools.
                      (5) The rules under Subsection (4) shall:
                      (a) require at least one hour of classroom training on the subject of railroad crossing
                  safety for each driver education pupil; and
                      (b) establish minimum standards for approved driving ranges under Section 53-3-505.5 .
                      (6) The requirements of Section 53-3-505.5 apply to any behind-the-wheel driving
                  training provided as part of driver education offered under this part and used to satisfy the driver
                  training requirement under Section 53-3-204 .
                      Section 5. Section 53A-13-208 is amended to read:
                       53A-13-208. Driver education teachers certified as license examiners.
                      (1) The Driver License Division of the Department of Public Safety and the State Board
                  of Education through the State Office of Education shall establish procedures and standards to
                  certify teachers of driver education classes under this part to administer written and driving tests
                  and to issue practice permits.
                      (2) The division is the certifying authority.
                      (3) (a) A teacher certified under this section shall give written and driving tests designed
                  for driver education classes authorized under this part.
                      (b) The Driver License Division shall, in conjunction with the State Office of Education,
                  establish minimal standards for the driver education class tests that are at least as difficult as those
                  required to receive a class D operator's license under Title 53, Chapter 3, Uniform Drivers
                  License Act.

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                      (c) A student who passes the written test but fails the driving test given by a teacher
                  certified under this section may apply for a class D operator's license under Title 53, Chapter 3,
                  Part 2, Driver Licensing Act, and complete the driving test at a Driver License Division office.
                      (4) (a) A certified driver education teacher shall issue a practice permit to a student who:
                      (i) is at least 15 years and nine months of age;
                      (ii) passes the written test given by the teacher under this section; [and]
                      (iii) has been issued an instruction permit under Subsection 53-3-210 (2)[.]; and
                      (iv) has passed the physical and mental fitness tests as required by the division.
                      (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (4)(a)(i), a certified driver education
                  teacher may issue a practice permit to a student who is at least 15 years and six months of age and
                  who meets the requirements of Subsections (4)(a)(ii) and (iii).
                      [(b)] (c) The State Office of Education shall supply the practice permit form. The form
                  shall include the following information:
                      (i) the student's full name, date of birth, sex, home address, height, weight, and eye color;
                      (ii) the name of the school or local school district providing the driver education program;
                      (iii) the name and signature of [the] a driver education teacher;
                      (iv) the dates of issuance and expiration of the permit;
                      (v) the statutory citation authorizing the permit; and
                      (vi) the conditions and restrictions contained in this section for operating a class D motor
                  vehicle.
                      [(c)] (d) The practice permit is valid for up to six months from the date of issuance. The
                  practice permit allows the student to operate a class D motor vehicle when the student's parent,
                  legal guardian, or adult spouse, who must be a licensed driver, is occupying a seat next to the
                  student.
                      [(d)] (e) A student shall have the practice permit in his immediate possession at all times
                  when operating a motor vehicle under this section.
                      (5) A student who successfully passes the tests given by a certified driver education
                  teacher under this section satisfies the written and driving parts of the test required for a class D

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                  operator's license.
                      (6) The Driver License Division and the State Board of Education shall establish
                  procedures to enable school districts to administer or process any tests for students to receive a
                  class D operator's license.
                      (7) The division and board shall establish the standards and procedures required under
                  this section by rules made in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
                  Rulemaking Act.
                      Section 6. Effective date.
                      This bill takes effect on July 1, 2004.

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