HB 585 -- Graduated Drivers' License

Sponsor:  Hartzler (124), Ostmann, Cierpiot, Reinhart

This bill requires a 15 year old applicant for a temporary
instruction permit to successfully complete a vision test and a
test of the applicant's  practical knowledge of the traffic laws
of this state and his or her ability to understand highway signs
which regulate, warn, or direct traffic.  The person providing
driving instruction must be at least 21 years of age.  In
addition, beginning January 1, 2001, no permit will be granted
unless a parent or legal guardian gives written permission by
signing the application.

Persons 14 years of age who are enrolled in a high school driver
training program taught by a certificated driver training
instructor will be allowed to obtain a restricted instruction
permit effective for a school year or more restricted period.

Beginning January 1, 2001, any person between 15 1/2 and 18
years may apply for and the Director of Revenue will issue an
intermediate driver's license.  An intermediate driver's license
will be readily distinguishable from a license issued to those
18 years of age or older.  All applicants for an intermediate
driver's license must:

(1)  Successfully complete the driver's examination;

(2)  Pay the required fee;

(3)  Have held a temporary instruction permit for at least a 6
month period;

(4)  Have completed at least 25 hours of supervised driving
experience under a temporary instruction permit;

(5)  Have a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian sign the
application stating the supervised driving experience
requirement has been met, or if an applicant is an emancipated
minor, the person over 21 years of age who supervised the
driving; and

(6)  Have no traffic convictions for which points were assessed.

An intermediate driver's licensee will be restricted from
operating a motor vehicle between the hours of midnight and 5:00
a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or legal
guardian, except to or from a school or educational activity, a
regular place of employment, or in emergency situations.  An
intermediate licensee and all passengers in the licensee's
vehicle must wear safety belts at all times.

Any intermediate licensee accumulating 4 or more points in a 12
month period will be required to successfully complete a driver
improvement program within 60 days.  Failure to do so, will
result in the cancellation of the person's intermediate driver's
license until the driver improvement program has been
completed.  No reduction of points will be given during the
period of cancellation of an intermediate driver's license.

An intermediate driver's licensee who has not had a license
suspended or revoked, has had no alcohol-related contacts or
traffic convictions, and, upon reaching the age of 16 years, who
presents an affidavit signed by a parent or guardian certifying
the completion of 10 hours of accompanied driving, including 2
hours at night, may receive without further examination, other
than the vision test, a license granting full driving
privileges.  No person whose intermediate driver's license is
denied, suspended, canceled, or revoked may apply for a full
driver's license until his or her driving privilege is fully
reinstated.  Any person whose intermediate driver's license has
been revoked must, upon receipt of notice of reinstatement, pass
the complete driver examination and apply for a new license
before again operating a vehicle on the highways of the state.

Any person will be exempt from the intermediate licensing
requirements if he or she is 18 years of age and for the
preceding 12 months has had no alcohol-related contacts and no
traffic convictions for which points are assessed or has had a
full license to drive in another state for at least 6 months.

The fee for an intermediate license will be $5.00.