SRC-TNM S.B. 88 75(R)        BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 88
By: West
Criminal Justice
2-13-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, in Texas, a person who completes an approved basic driver's
education course can obtain a fully privileged license as young as age 16.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers
16 and 17 years of age have more than twice the average number of fatal
accidents in their first year of driving and have more than four times as
many accidents per mile driven as do experienced adult drivers.  Many
states are adopting a graduated driver's licensing program to help the
novice driver slowly gain knowledge, skill, and experience over a period
of time under controlled conditions.  States which have adopted a
graduated licensing program, including California, Maryland and Oregon,
have reported a 5 to 16 percent reduction in accidents for drivers aged 15
to 17.  The goal of S.B. 88 is to reduce the number of fatal accidents
caused by juvenile drivers by establishing a graduated licensing program
in Texas.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 88 outlines the provisions relating to a graduated
driver's licensing program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 521.001(3), Transportation Code, to provide that
the term "driver's license" includes an immediate license.  Makes a
nonsubstantive change. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 521.123, Transportation Code, to set forth terms
that require the Department of Public Safety (department) to redesignate
each original, renewed, or duplicate driver's license issued by the
department to a person under 18 years of age.  Makes a nonsubstantive
change. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 521.203, Transportation Code, to prohibit the
department from issuing a Class A or B driver's license to a person under
18 years of age unless the person has held an intermediate or hardship
license for one year before the application date, completed a driver
training course approved by the Texas Education Agency, and is ineligible
under Section 521.204(b). 

SECTION 4. (a) Amends Section 521.204, Transportation Code, to conform to
Section 25, Chapter 1009, to set forth the terms by which the department
may place restrictions on a minor attempting to obtain a driver's license
and to make a conforming change. 

(b) Repealer: Section 25, Chapter 1009, Acts of the 74th Legislature,
Regular Session, 1995. 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 521.222(c), Transportation Code, to provide that
the minimum age of a person accompanying the holder of an instruction
permit to operate a motor vehicle on the highway is  21 rather than 18
years of age. 

SECTION 6. Chapter 521K, Transportation Code, by adding Section 521.2221,
as follows: 

 Sec. 521.2221. INTERMEDIATE LICENSE. Sets forth the terms by which the
department  is authorized to issue an intermediate license to a person. 
 
SECTION 7. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 8. Effective date: January 1, 1998.

SECTION 9. Emergency clause.