Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 577 amends the Transportation Code to establish a graduated driver's licensing system. The bill prohibits the Department of Public Safety from issuing a Class A, B, or C driver's license, other than a hardship license, to an applicant under 18 years of age unless the applicant has held an instruction permit or hardship license for at least six months preceding the date of the application. The bill prohibits a person under 18 years of age, during the six-month period following the issuance of the license, from operating a motor vehicle after midnight or before 5 a.m. unless it is necessary for the driver to attend or participate in employment or school-related activities or because of a medical emergency, or with more than one passenger in the vehicle under 21 years of age who is not a family member. The bill increases from 18 to 21 the minimum age of the person who supervises a driver with an instruction permit and occupies the front passenger seat.

            Except under certain conditions, the bill prohibits a person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted motorcycle license or moped license, during the six-month period following the issuance of the license, from operating a motorcycle or moped after midnight or before 5 a.m. or unless the person is in sight of the person's parent or guardian.

            The bill prohibits a peace officer from stopping a vehicle or detaining an operator for the sole purpose of determining whether the operator of the vehicle violated these provisions.