Bill Text: TX SB2389 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the requirements for issuance of a driver's license or learner license to a person younger than 18 years of age.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-23 - Referred to Transportation [SB2389 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB2389-Introduced.html

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88R2080 CXP-D
By: Gutierrez S.B. No. 2389

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the requirements for issuance of a driver's license or
learner license to a person younger than 18 years of age.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 521.204(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The department may issue a Class C driver's license to
an applicant under 18 years of age only if the applicant:
(1) is 16 years of age or older;
(2) has submitted to the department a driver education
certificate issued under Section 1001.055, Education Code, that
states that the person has completed and passed a driver education
course approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation; and
(3) [has obtained a high school diploma or its
equivalent or is a student:
[(A) enrolled in a public school, home school, or
private school who attended school for at least 80 days in the fall
or spring semester preceding the date of the driver's license
application; or
[(B) who has been enrolled for at least 45 days,
and is enrolled as of the date of the application, in a program to
prepare persons to pass the high school equivalency exam;
[(4) has submitted to the department written parental
or guardian permission:
[(A) for the department to access the applicant's
school enrollment records maintained by the Texas Education Agency;
and
[(B) for a school administrator or law
enforcement officer to notify the department in the event that the
person has been absent from school for at least 20 consecutive
instructional days; and
[(5)] has passed the examination required by Section
521.161.
SECTION 2. Section 521.222(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The department may issue a learner license, including a
Class A or Class B driver's learner license, to a person who:
(1) is 15 years of age or older but under 18 years of
age;
(2) has satisfactorily completed and passed the
classroom phase of an approved driver education course, which may
be a course taught under Section 1001.112, Education Code; and
(3) [meets the requirements imposed under Section
521.204(a)(3); and
[(4)] has passed each examination required under
Section 521.161 other than the driving test.
SECTION 3. Section 521.003, Transportation Code, is
repealed.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.