Bill Text: GA SB275 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Drivers' Licenses; provide persons applying for Class M licenses shall complete a motorcycle safety training course

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-30 - Senate Read and Referred [SB275 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-SB275-Introduced.html

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11 LC 34 3059

Senate Bill 275

By: Senator Rogers of the 21st

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the issuance, expiration, and renewal of drivers' licenses, so as to provide that persons applying for Class M licenses shall complete a motorcycle safety training course; to provide that the Georgia Department of Driver Services shall promulgate regulations establishing criteria for such courses; to provide that the department shall approve persons to conduct such training; to provide for related matters; to provide for applicability; 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.

Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the issuance, expiration, and renewal of drivers' licenses, is amended by adding a new subsection to Code Section 40-5-22, relating minimum requirements for issuance of drivers' licenses, to read as follows:

"(a.3)(1) On or after July 1, 2011, the department shall not issue any initial Class M driver's license to a person unless such person:

(A) Is at least 17 years of age and has completed an approved motorcycle operator safety training course in a licensed private or public driver training school and provides evidence satisfactory to the department that the applicant has successfully completed such course; or

(B) Is at least 26 years of age.

(2) The commissioner shall by rule or regulation establish standards for approval of any motorcycle safety training course for purposes of subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) of this subsection, provided that such courses shall be designed to educate young drivers about safe driving practices and the safe operation of motorcycles and shall at a minimum provide training based on the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Course or its equivalent in quality, utility, and merit and shall be instructed by a person who meets the requirements of Code Section 40-15-5.

(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this subsection, a person under the age of 26 who becomes a resident of this state and who has in his or her immediate possession a valid license to operate a motorcycle that was issued to him or her in another state or country shall not be required to take or complete a motorcycle operator safety training course."

SECTION 2.

Said article is further amended by revising subsection (c) of Code Section 40-5-24 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to instruction permits, graduated licensing and related restrictions, and temporary licenses, as follows:

"(c) Any resident of this state who is at least 17 years of age may apply to the department for a noncommercial Class M motorcycle instruction permit. The department shall, after the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the examination other than the driving test and has completed an approved motorcycle operator safety training course, 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 motorcycle or a motor driven cycle upon the public highways for a period of six months; provided, however, that a person who is at least 16 years of age and meets all of the other qualifications of this subsection except for age who has completed an approved driver education training course as provided in subsection (a.2) of Code Section 40-5-22 may apply for a Class M motorcycle instruction permit. A motorcycle instruction permit shall not be valid when carrying passengers, on a limited access highway, or at night."

SECTION 3.

The provisions of this Act shall not apply to or otherwise affect any valid license or instructional permit which has been issued to any person by this state and which is in effect on the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 4.

This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2011.

SECTION 5.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.