80R1201 MTB-D

By: Carona S.B. No. 180

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to issuance and renewal of a driver's license of an elderly person.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 521.271, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 521.271. LICENSE EXPIRATION. (a) Each original driver's license and provisional license expires as follows:

(1) except as provided by Section 521.2711, a driver's license expires on the first birthday of the license holder occurring after the sixth anniversary of the date of the application;

(2) a provisional license expires on the earlier of:

(A) the 18th birthday of the license holder; or

(B) the first birthday of the license holder occurring after the date of the application;

(3) an instruction permit expires on the second birthday of the license holder occurring after the date of the application; and

(4) an occupational license expires on the first anniversary of the court order granting the license.

(b) Except as provided by Section 521.2711, a [A] driver's license that is renewed expires on the sixth anniversary of the expiration date before renewal.

SECTION 2. Subchapter M, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 521.2711 to read as follows:

Sec. 521.2711. LICENSE EXPIRATION: PERSON AT LEAST 90 YEARS OF AGE. (a) A driver's license expires on the license holder's 90th birthday.

(b) An original driver's license of a person older than 90 years of age expires on the second anniversary of the date of issuance.

(c) A driver's license of a person older than 90 years of age that is renewed expires on the second anniversary of the expiration date before renewal.

SECTION 3. Section 521.273, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) The department may not renew a driver's license of a person who on the license's expiration date before renewal is at least 90 years of age unless the person passes an examination for the renewal. The examination must include:

(1) a test of the person's vision; and

(2) a demonstration of the person's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle of the type that the license authorizes the person to operate.

SECTION 4. Section 521.274(b), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) A rule adopted under this section:

(1) may prescribe eligibility standards for renewal under this section; [and]

(2) may not permit a person subject to the registration requirements under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure, to register by mail or electronic means; and

(3) may not permit renewal by mail or electronic means of a driver's license of a person who on the license's expiration date before renewal is at least 90 years of age.

SECTION 5. Section 521.421, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:

(i) The department shall prorate the fee for the issuance or renewal of a driver's license of a person who on the license's expiration date before renewal is at least 85 years of age to account for the expiration of the license on the person's 90th birthday. The fee for issuance or renewal of a driver's license of a person who is at least 90 years of age on the date of issuance or the expiration date before renewal, as applicable, is $8 for a license with an expiration date established under Section 521.2711(b) or (c).

SECTION 6. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a driver's license issued or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.