Chapter 218

2003 -- S 0948 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/15/03

AN ACT

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

Introduced By: Senator Daniel J. Issa

Date Introduced: March 20, 2003

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 required before licensing. [Effective until June 1,

2003.] -- 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 section 31-10-19, or a similar course of instruction recognized by the

board of regents for elementary and secondary 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.

31-10-20. Driver education course required before licensing. [Effective June 1,

2003.] -- 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 section 31-10-19, or a similar course of instruction recognized by the

board of regents for elementary and secondary education as equivalent to it. In determining

whether a course is equivalent, the board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall

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

(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 instructor is not associated in any way with a commercial

driving school. 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.

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 section 31-

10-19, or a similar course of instruction recognized by the board of regents for elementary and

secondary 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 April 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 section 31-10-19, or a similar course of

instruction recognized by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education as

equivalent to it. In determining whether a course is equivalent, the board of regents for

elementary and secondary education shall at a minimum require: (1) that the course consist of at

least thirty-three (33) instructional hours; (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 instructor is not

associated in any way with a commercial driving school. 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.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage and shall apply retroactively to June

1, 2003.     

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LC02028/SUB A

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