Chapter 131
2018 -- H 7194
Enacted 07/02/2018

A N   A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - DRIVER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Introduced By: Representatives McNamara, Diaz, Morin, Shanley, and McLaughlin
Date Introduced: January 18, 2018

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 Rhode
Island 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 Rhode Island board of governors for higher education as
equivalent to it. In determining whether a course is equivalent, the Rhode Island board of
governors for higher education shall at a minimum require: (1) that That the course consist of at
least thirty-three (33) instructional hours which that 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 That the instructor holds a valid teacher's
certificate; (3) that That the instructor satisfactorily completes at least a three-(3) credit (3)
course in traffic safety education at an accredited institution of higher education; and (4) that
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 rights and responsibilities when stopped by a law enforcement officer as
explained during the driver education course, including, but not limited to, rights provided to
drivers pursuant to chapter 21. 2 of title 31, the "comprehensive community-police relationship
act of 2015".
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC003185
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