Bill Text: MS SB2303 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Driver's education; require for drivers under age 17.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2016-02-23 - Died In Committee [SB2303 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2016-SB2303-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2016 Regular Session
To: Judiciary, Division B; Education
By: Senator(s) Dawkins
Senate Bill 2303
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE DRIVERS UNDER THE AGE OF 17 TO HAVE COMPLETED A DRIVER'S EDUCATION COURSE IN ORDER TO HOLD AN INTERMEDIATE LICENSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 63-1-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
63-1-9. (1) No driver's license, intermediate license or regular learner's permit shall be issued pursuant to this article:
(a) To any person under the age of eighteen (18) years except as provided in this article.
(b) To any person whose license to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of Mississippi has been previously revoked or suspended by this state or any other state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia, if the revocation or suspension period has not expired.
(c) To any person who
is * * * habitually under
the influence of alcohol or narcotic drugs.
(d) To any person who
would not be able by reason of physical or mental disability to safely
operate a motor vehicle on the highways * * *. However, persons who have one
(1) arm or leg, or have arms or legs deformed, and * * * who drive a car provided
with mechanical devices * * *whereby that allow the person * * * to drive in a safe manner over the
highways, if otherwise qualified, shall receive an operator's license the same
as other persons. Moreover, deafness shall not be a bar to obtaining a
license.
(e) To any person as an operator who has previously been adjudged to be afflicted with and suffering from any mental disability and who has not at time of application been restored to mental competency.
(f) To any unmarried person under the age of eighteen (18) years who does not at the time of application present a diploma or other certificate of high school graduation or a general educational development certificate issued to the person in this state or any other state; or on whose behalf documentation has not been received by the Department of Public Safety from that person or a school official verifying that the person:
(i) Is enrolled and making satisfactory progress in a course leading to a general educational development certificate;
(ii) Is enrolled in school in this state or any other state;
(iii) Is enrolled in a "nonpublic school," as such term is defined in Section 37-13-91(2)(i); or
(iv) Is unable to attend any school program due to circumstances deemed acceptable as set out in Section 63-1-10.
(g) To any person under the age of eighteen (18) years who has been convicted under Section 63-11-30.
(2) * * * (a) A regular learner's permit may be issued to
any person who is at least fifteen (15) years of age who otherwise meets the
requirements of this article.
(b) An intermediate license may be issued to any person who is at least sixteen (16) years of age who otherwise meets the requirements of this article and who has held a regular learner's permit for at least one (1) year without any conviction under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation and who completes a driver's education course and provides evidence of a passing grade or certificate from the completed driver's education course if the course is approved by the Department of Education or taught by a person qualified as a driving instructor by the Department of Education. Any conviction under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation shall restart the one-year requirement for the holding of a regular learner's permit before an applicant can qualify for an intermediate license.
(c) A driver's license may be issued to any person who is at least sixteen and one-half (16-1/2) years of age who otherwise meets the requirements of this article and who has held an intermediate license for at least six (6) months without any conviction under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation. Any conviction under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation shall restart the six-month requirement for the holding of an intermediate license before an applicant can qualify for a driver's license. However, a person who is at least seventeen (17) years of age who has been issued a regular learner's permit and who has never been convicted under Section 63-11-30 or of a moving violation shall not be required to have held an intermediate license or to complete a driver's education course.
(d) An applicant for a Mississippi driver's license who, at the time of application, is at least sixteen and one-half (16-1/2) years of age and who has held a valid motor vehicle driver's license issued by another state for at least six (6) months shall not be required to hold a regular learner's permit or an intermediate license before being issued a driver's license.
(3) The commissioner shall ensure that the regular learner's permit, intermediate license and driver's license issued under this article are clear, distinct and easily distinguishable from one another.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after October 1, 2016.
