2017 -- H 5055

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LC000262

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - DRIVER EDUCATION

REQUIREMENTS

     Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Diaz, Amore, O'Brien, and Ackerman

     Date Introduced: January 11, 2017

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-10-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators'

and Chauffeurs' Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-10-20. Driver education course requirement before licensing.

     (a) No limited instruction permit or license shall be issued to any person not more than

eighteen (18) years of age unless that person shall have successfully completed a course of

instruction as provided in § 31-10-19, or a similar course of instruction recognized by the board

of governors for higher education as equivalent to it. However, any person who is over eighteen

(18) years of age and has been a holder of a motor vehicle operator's license issued to that person

by any other state, territory, or possession of the United States, or any other sovereignty for a

period of one year immediately prior to his or her application for a license under this chapter shall

not be required to comply with the provisions of this section.

     (b) Commencing on July 1, 2004, no limited instruction permit or license shall be issued

to any person not more than eighteen (18) years of age unless that person shall have successfully

completed a course of instruction as provided in § 31-10-19, or a similar course of instruction in

another state recognized by the board of governors for higher education as equivalent to it. In

determining whether a course is equivalent, the board of governors for higher education shall at a

minimum require: (1) that the course consist of at least thirty-three (33) instructional hours which

substantially conform with the current curriculum utilized by the instructor(s) at the Community

College of Rhode Island, including a minimum of three (3) hours of instruction focusing upon

specific Rhode Island traffic laws, the specific requirements of the Rhode Island graduated

licensing statute in § 31-10-6 and eight (8) hours specifically for instruction on the effects of

alcohol and drugs on a driver. All driver's education programs shall include information

concerning the revised uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6 18.6.1 of title 23, and

information on donor cards pursuant to the applicable provisions of chapter 18.6 18.6.1 of title

23; (2) that the instructor holds a valid teacher's certificate; (3) that the instructor satisfactorily

completes at least a three (3) credit course in traffic safety education at an accredited institution of

higher education; and (4) that the program does not offer outside the classroom road test

instruction or driving lessons to Rhode Island students. However, any person who is over

eighteen (18) years of age and has been a holder of a motor vehicle operator's license issued to

that person by any other state, territory, or possession of the United States, or any other

sovereignty for a period of one year immediately prior to his or her application for a license under

this chapter shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this section.

     (c) The driver's education course and driver's license examination shall include material

pertaining to a driver's responsibilities when stopped by a law enforcement officer as explained

during the driver education course.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - DRIVER EDUCATION

REQUIREMENTS

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     This act would require driver's instruction courses and tests to include instruction and

information on a driver's responsible conduct during a traffic stop.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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