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H.B. 343

             1     

PRACTICE PERMIT REQUIREMENT

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2004 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: Roger E. Barrus

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies the Public Safety Code and the State System of Public Education
             10      Code to amend the age limit for a practice permit to operate a motor vehicle.
             11      Highlighted Provisions:
             12          This bill:
             13          .    changes the age limit for a student to obtain a practice permit from 15 years and
             14      nine months to 15 years and six months of age and increases the length of the
             15      validity of practice permits from six to nine months;
             16          .    increases the application period for a class D driver license from six to nine months;
             17          .    increases the hours of required driving with a parent or guardian prior to obtaining a
             18      driver license;
             19          .    allows a school or school district that provides driver education to provide an
             20      opportunity for each pupil enrolled in that school or school district to be issued a
             21      practice permit when the pupil is 15 years and six months of age;
             22          .    allows a certified driver education teacher to issue a practice permit when the pupil
             23      is 15 years and six months of age; and
             24          .    makes technical changes.
             25      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             26          None
             27      Other Special Clauses:


             28          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2004.
             29      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             30      AMENDS:
             31          53-3-205, as last amended by Chapter 30, Laws of Utah 2003
             32          53-3-210, as last amended by Chapter 85, Laws of Utah 2001
             33          53-3-211, as last amended by Chapter 121, Laws of Utah 2003
             34          53A-13-201, as last amended by Chapter 121, Laws of Utah 2003
             35          53A-13-208, as last amended by Chapter 28, Laws of Utah 1999
             36     
             37      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             38          Section 1. Section 53-3-205 is amended to read:
             39           53-3-205. Application for license or endorsement -- Fee required -- Tests --
             40      Expiration dates of licenses and endorsements -- Information required -- Previous
             41      licenses surrendered -- Driving record transferred from other states -- Reinstatement --
             42      Fee required -- License agreement.
             43          (1) An application for any original license, provisional license, or endorsement shall
             44      be:
             45          (a) made upon a form furnished by the division; and
             46          (b) accompanied by a nonrefundable fee set under Section 53-3-105 .
             47          (2) An application and fee for an original provisional class D license or an original
             48      class D license entitle the applicant to:
             49          (a) not more than three attempts to pass both the knowledge and skills tests for a class
             50      D license within [six] nine months of the date of the application;
             51          (b) a learner permit if needed after the knowledge test is passed; and
             52          (c) an original class D license and license certificate after all tests are passed.
             53          (3) An application and fee for an original class M license entitle the applicant to:
             54          (a) not more than three attempts to pass both the knowledge and skills tests for a class
             55      M license within six months of the date of the application;
             56          (b) a learner permit if needed after the knowledge test is passed; and
             57          (c) an original class M license and license certificate after all tests are passed.
             58          (4) An application and fee for a motorcycle or taxicab endorsement entitle the


             59      applicant to:
             60          (a) not more than three attempts to pass both the knowledge and skills tests within six
             61      months of the date of the application;
             62          (b) a motorcycle learner permit if needed after the motorcycle knowledge test is
             63      passed; and
             64          (c) a motorcycle or taxicab endorsement when all tests are passed.
             65          (5) An application and fees for a commercial class A, B, or C license entitle the
             66      applicant to:
             67          (a) not more than two attempts to pass a knowledge test and not more than two
             68      attempts to pass a skills test within six months of the date of the application;
             69          (b) a commercial driver instruction permit if needed after the knowledge test is passed;
             70      and
             71          (c) an original commercial class A, B, or C license and license certificate when all
             72      applicable tests are passed.
             73          (6) An application and fee for a CDL endorsement entitle the applicant to:
             74          (a) not more than two attempts to pass a knowledge test and not more than two
             75      attempts to pass a skills test within six months of the date of the application; and
             76          (b) a CDL endorsement when all tests are passed.
             77          (7) If a CDL applicant does not pass a knowledge test, skills test, or an endorsement
             78      test within the number of attempts provided in Subsection (5) or (6), each test may be taken
             79      two additional times within the six months for the fee provided in Section 53-3-105 .
             80          (8) (a) An original license expires on the birth date of the applicant in the fifth year
             81      following the year the license certificate was issued.
             82          (b) A renewal or an extension to a license expires on the birth date of the licensee in
             83      the fifth year following the expiration date of the license certificate renewed or extended.
             84          (c) A duplicate license expires on the same date as the last license certificate issued.
             85          (d) An endorsement to a license expires on the same date as the license certificate
             86      regardless of the date the endorsement was granted.
             87          (e) A license and any endorsement to the license held by a person ordered to active
             88      duty and stationed outside Utah in any of the armed forces of the United States, which expires
             89      during the time period the person is stationed outside of the state, is valid until 90 days after the


             90      person has been discharged or has left the service, unless the license is suspended, disqualified,
             91      denied, or has been cancelled or revoked by the division, or the licensee updates the
             92      information or photograph on the license certificate.
             93          (9) (a) In addition to the information required by Title 63, Chapter 46b, Administrative
             94      Procedures Act, for requests for agency action, each applicant shall have a Utah residence
             95      address and each applicant shall:
             96          (i) provide the applicant's:
             97          (A) full legal name;
             98          (B) birth date;
             99          (C) gender;
             100          (D) between July 1, 2002 and July 1, 2007, race in accordance with the categories
             101      established by the United States Census Bureau;
             102          (E) Social Security number or temporary identification number (ITIN) issued by the
             103      Internal Revenue Service for a person who does not qualify for a Social Security number; and
             104          (F) Utah residence address of the applicant;
             105          (ii) provide a description of the applicant;
             106          (iii) state whether the applicant has previously been licensed to drive a motor vehicle
             107      and, if so, when and by what state or country;
             108          (iv) state whether the applicant has ever had any license suspended, cancelled, revoked,
             109      disqualified, or denied in the last six years, or whether the applicant has ever had any license
             110      application refused, and if so, the date of and reason for the suspension, cancellation,
             111      revocation, disqualification, denial, or refusal;
             112          (v) state whether the applicant intends to make an anatomical gift under Title 26,
             113      Chapter 28, Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, in compliance with Subsection (16);
             114          (vi) provide all other information the division requires; and
             115          (vii) sign the application which signature may include an electronic signature as
             116      defined in Section 46-4-102 .
             117          (b) The division shall maintain on its computerized records an applicant's:
             118          (i) Social Security number; or
             119          (ii) temporary identification number (ITIN).
             120          (c) An applicant may not be denied a license for refusing to provide race information


             121      required under Subsection (9)(a)(i)(D).
             122          (10) The division shall require proof of every applicant's name, birthdate, and
             123      birthplace by at least one of the following means:
             124          (a) current license certificate;
             125          (b) birth certificate;
             126          (c) Selective Service registration; or
             127          (d) other proof, including church records, family Bible notations, school records, or
             128      other evidence considered acceptable by the division.
             129          (11) When an applicant receives a license in another class, all previous license
             130      certificates shall be surrendered and canceled. However, a disqualified commercial license may
             131      not be canceled unless it expires before the new license certificate is issued.
             132          (12) (a) When an application is received from a person previously licensed in another
             133      state to drive a motor vehicle, the division shall request a copy of the driver's record from the
             134      other state.
             135          (b) When received, the driver's record becomes part of the driver's record in this state
             136      with the same effect as though entered originally on the driver's record in this state.
             137          (13) An application for reinstatement of a license after the suspension, cancellation,
             138      disqualification, denial, or revocation of a previous license shall be accompanied by the
             139      additional fee or fees specified in Section 53-3-105 .
             140          (14) A person who has an appointment with the division for testing and fails to keep
             141      the appointment or to cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the appointment shall pay the fee
             142      under Section 53-3-105 .
             143          (15) A person who applies for an original license or renewal of a license agrees that the
             144      person's license is subject to any suspension or revocation authorized under this title or Title
             145      41, Motor Vehicles.
             146          (16) (a) The indication of intent under Subsection (9)(a)(v) shall be authenticated by
             147      the licensee in accordance with division rule.
             148          (b) (i) Notwithstanding Title 63, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and
             149      Management Act, the division may, upon request, release to an organ procurement
             150      organization, as defined in Section 26-28-2 , the names and addresses of all persons who under
             151      Subsection (9)(a)(v) indicate that they intend to make an anatomical gift.


             152          (ii) An organ procurement organization may use released information only to:
             153          (A) obtain additional information for an anatomical gift registry; and
             154          (B) inform licensees of anatomical gift options, procedures, and benefits.
             155          (17) The division and its employees are not liable, as a result of false or inaccurate
             156      information provided under Subsection (9)(a)(v), for direct or indirect:
             157          (a) loss;
             158          (b) detriment; or
             159          (c) injury.
             160          Section 2. Section 53-3-210 is amended to read:
             161           53-3-210. Temporary learner permit -- Instruction permit -- Commercial driver
             162      instruction permit -- Practice permit.
             163          (1) (a) The division upon receiving an application for a class D or M license from a
             164      person 16 years of age or older may issue a temporary learner permit after the person has
             165      successfully passed all parts of the examination not involving actually driving a motor vehicle.
             166          (b) The temporary learner permit allows the applicant, while having the permit in the
             167      applicant's immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle upon the highways for six months
             168      from the date of the application in conformance with the restrictions indicated on the permit.
             169          (2) (a) The division, upon receiving an application, may issue an instruction permit
             170      effective for one year to an applicant who is enrolled in a driver education program that
             171      includes practice driving, if the program is approved by the State Board of Education or the
             172      division, even though the applicant has not reached the legal age to be eligible for a license.
             173          (b) The instruction permit entitles the applicant, while having the permit in his
             174      immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle, only if an approved instructor is occupying a
             175      seat beside the applicant or in accordance with the requirements of Subsections (4) and
             176      53A-13-208 (4).
             177          (3) The division may issue a commercial driver instruction permit under Title 53,
             178      Chapter 3, Part 4, Uniform Commercial Driver License Act.
             179          (4) (a) The division shall issue a practice permit to an applicant who:
             180          (i) is at least 15 years and [nine] six months of age;
             181          (ii) has been issued an instruction permit under this section;
             182          (iii) is enrolled in a driver education program or has successfully completed a driver


             183      education course in a:
             184          (A) commercial driver training school licensed under Title 53, Chapter 3, Part 5,
             185      Commercial Driver Training Schools Act; or
             186          (B) driver education program approved by the division;
             187          (iv) has passed the knowledge test required by the division;
             188          (v) has passed the physical and mental fitness tests; and
             189          (vi) has submitted the nonrefundable fee for a class D license.
             190          (b) The division shall supply the practice permit form. The form shall include the
             191      following information:
             192          (i) the [person's] applicant's full name, date of birth, sex, home address, height, weight,
             193      and eye color;
             194          (ii) the name of the school providing the driver education course;
             195          (iii) the dates of issuance and expiration of the permit;
             196          (iv) the statutory citation authorizing the permit; and
             197          (v) the conditions and restrictions contained in this section for operating a class D
             198      motor vehicle.
             199          (c) The practice permit is valid for up to [six] nine months from the date of issuance.
             200      The practice permit allows the person, while having the permit in the applicant's immediate
             201      possession, to operate a class D motor vehicle when the person's parent, legal guardian, or adult
             202      spouse, who must be a licensed driver, is occupying a seat next to the person.
             203          (d) If an applicant has been issued a practice permit by the division, the applicant may
             204      obtain an original or provisional class D license from the division upon passing the written and
             205      skills [test] tests administered by the division and reaching 16 years of age.
             206          Section 3. Section 53-3-211 is amended to read:
             207           53-3-211. Application of minors -- Liability of person signing application --
             208      Cancellation of cosigning adult's liability -- Behind-the-wheel driving certification.
             209          (1) As used in this section, "minor" means any person younger than 18 years of age
             210      who is not married or has not been emancipated by adjudication.
             211          (2) (a) The application of a minor for a temporary learner permit, practice permit, or
             212      provisional license shall be signed by the parent or guardian of the applicant.
             213          (b) If the minor applicant does not have a parent or guardian, then a responsible adult


             214      who is willing to assume the obligation imposed under this chapter may sign the application.
             215          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4), the liability of a minor for civil
             216      compensatory damages caused when operating a motor vehicle upon a highway is imputed to
             217      the person who has signed the application of the minor under Subsection (2).
             218          (b) The person who has signed the application under Subsection (2) is jointly and
             219      severally liable with the minor as provided in Subsections (3)(a) and (c).
             220          (c) The liability imposed under Subsections (3)(a) and (b) is limited to the policy
             221      minimum limits established in Section 31A-22-304 .
             222          (d) The liability provisions in this Subsection (3) are in addition to the liability
             223      provisions in Section 53-3-212 .
             224          (4) If owner's or operator's security covering the minor's operation of the motor vehicle
             225      is in effect in amounts as required under Section 31A-22-304 , the person who signed the
             226      minor's application under Subsection (2) is not subject to the liability imposed under
             227      Subsection (3).
             228          (5) (a) A person who has signed the application of a minor under Subsection (2) may
             229      file with the division a verified written request that the permit or license of the minor be
             230      canceled.
             231          (b) The division shall then cancel the permit or license of the minor, and the person
             232      who signed the application of the minor under Subsection (2) is relieved from the liability
             233      imposed under Subsection (3) or the minor operating a motor vehicle subsequent to the
             234      cancellation.
             235          (6) (a) The division upon receipt of satisfactory evidence of the death of the person
             236      who signed the application of a minor under Subsection (2) shall cancel the permit or license
             237      and may not issue a new permit or license until a new application, signed and verified, is made
             238      under this chapter.
             239          (b) This Subsection (6) does not apply to an application of a person who is no longer a
             240      minor.
             241          (7) (a) In addition to the liability assumed under this section, the person who signs the
             242      application of a minor for a provisional license must certify that the minor applicant, under the
             243      authority of a permit issued under this chapter, has completed at least [30] 40 hours of driving a
             244      motor vehicle, of which at least ten hours shall be during night hours after sunset.


             245          (b) The hours of driving a motor vehicle required under Subsection (7)(a) may include:
             246          (i) hours completed in a driver education course as required under Subsection
             247      53-3-505.5 (1); and
             248          (ii) up to five hours completed by driving simulation practice on a fully interactive
             249      driving simulation device at the substitution rate provided under Subsection 53-3-505.5 (2)(b).
             250          Section 4. Section 53A-13-201 is amended to read:
             251           53A-13-201. Driver education established by school districts.
             252          (1) As used in this part:
             253          (a) "driver education" includes classroom instruction and driving and observation in a
             254      dual-controlled motor vehicle; and
             255          (b) "driving" or "behind-the-wheel driving" means operating a dual-controlled motor
             256      vehicle under the supervision of a certified instructor.
             257          (2) (a) Local school districts may establish and maintain driver education for pupils.
             258          (b) A school or local school district that provides driver education shall provide an
             259      opportunity for each pupil enrolled in that school or local school district to take the written test
             260      and be issued a practice permit when the pupil is 15 years and nine months of age.
             261          (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (2)(b), a school or local school
             262      district that provides driver education may provide an opportunity for each pupil enrolled in
             263      that school or school district to be issued a practice permit when the pupil is 15 years and six
             264      months of age.
             265          (3) The purpose of driver education is to help develop the knowledge, attitudes, habits,
             266      and skills necessary for the safe operation of motor vehicles.
             267          (4) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             268      State Board of Education shall make rules for driver education offered in the public schools.
             269          (5) The rules under Subsection (4) shall:
             270          (a) require at least one hour of classroom training on the subject of railroad crossing
             271      safety for each driver education pupil; and
             272          (b) establish minimum standards for approved driving ranges under Section
             273      53-3-505.5 .
             274          (6) The requirements of Section 53-3-505.5 apply to any behind-the-wheel driving
             275      training provided as part of driver education offered under this part and used to satisfy the


             276      driver training requirement under Section 53-3-204 .
             277          Section 5. Section 53A-13-208 is amended to read:
             278           53A-13-208. Driver education teachers certified as license examiners.
             279          (1) The Driver License Division of the Department of Public Safety and the State
             280      Board of Education through the State Office of Education shall establish procedures and
             281      standards to certify teachers of driver education classes under this part to administer written
             282      and driving tests and to issue practice permits.
             283          (2) The division is the certifying authority.
             284          (3) (a) A teacher certified under this section shall give written and driving tests
             285      designed for driver education classes authorized under this part.
             286          (b) The Driver License Division shall, in conjunction with the State Office of
             287      Education, establish minimal standards for the driver education class tests that are at least as
             288      difficult as those required to receive a class D operator's license under Title 53, Chapter 3,
             289      Uniform Drivers License Act.
             290          (c) A student who passes the written test but fails the driving test given by a teacher
             291      certified under this section may apply for a class D operator's license under Title 53, Chapter 3,
             292      Part 2, Driver Licensing Act, and complete the driving test at a Driver License Division office.
             293          (4) (a) A certified driver education teacher shall issue a practice permit to a student
             294      who:
             295          (i) is at least 15 years and nine months of age;
             296          (ii) passes the written test given by the teacher under this section; [and]
             297          (iii) has been issued an instruction permit under Subsection 53-3-210 (2)[.]; and
             298          (iv) has passed the physical and mental fitness tests as required by the division.
             299          (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (4)(a)(i), a certified driver education
             300      teacher may issue a practice permit to a student who is at least 15 years and six months of age
             301      and who meets the requirements of Subsections (4)(a)(ii) and (iii).
             302          [(b)] (c) The State Office of Education shall supply the practice permit form. The form
             303      shall include the following information:
             304          (i) the student's full name, date of birth, sex, home address, height, weight, and eye
             305      color;
             306          (ii) the name of the school or local school district providing the driver education


             307      program;
             308          (iii) the name and signature of [the] a driver education teacher;
             309          (iv) the dates of issuance and expiration of the permit;
             310          (v) the statutory citation authorizing the permit; and
             311          (vi) the conditions and restrictions contained in this section for operating a class D
             312      motor vehicle.
             313          [(c)] (d) The practice permit is valid for up to [six] nine months from the date of
             314      issuance. The practice permit allows the student to operate a class D motor vehicle when the
             315      student's parent, legal guardian, or adult spouse, who must be a licensed driver, is occupying a
             316      seat next to the student.
             317          [(d)] (e) A student shall have the practice permit in his immediate possession at all
             318      times when operating a motor vehicle under this section.
             319          (5) A student who successfully passes the tests given by a certified driver education
             320      teacher under this section satisfies the written and driving parts of the test required for a class D
             321      operator's license.
             322          (6) The Driver License Division and the State Board of Education shall establish
             323      procedures to enable school districts to administer or process any tests for students to receive a
             324      class D operator's license.
             325          (7) The division and board shall establish the standards and procedures required under
             326      this section by rules made in accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
             327      Rulemaking Act.
             328          Section 6. Effective date.
             329          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2004.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-10-04 10:17 AM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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