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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requiring an applicant for a driver's license to |
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demonstrate knowledge of motorists' rights and responsibilities in |
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relation to bicyclists. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subsections (b) and (c), Section 521.161, |
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Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The examination must include: |
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(1) a test of the applicant's: |
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(A) vision; |
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(B) ability to identify and understand highway |
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signs in English that regulate, warn, or direct traffic; [and] |
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(C) knowledge of the traffic laws of this state; |
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and |
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(D) knowledge of motorists' rights and |
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responsibilities in relation to bicyclists; |
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(2) a demonstration of the applicant's ability to |
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exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a |
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motor vehicle of the type that the applicant will be licensed to |
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operate; and |
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(3) any additional examination the department finds |
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necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor |
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vehicle safely. |
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(c) The department shall give each applicant the option of |
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taking the parts [traffic law and highway sign part] of the |
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examination under Subsections (b)(1)(B), (C), and (D) in writing in |
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addition to or instead of through a mechanical, electronic, or |
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other testing method. If the applicant takes that part of the |
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examination in writing in addition to another testing method, the |
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applicant is considered to have passed that part of the examination |
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if the applicant passes either version of the examination. The |
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department shall inform each person taking the examination of the |
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person's rights under this subsection. |
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SECTION 2. A driver's license examination administered by |
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the Department of Public Safety is not required to include a |
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question required by Paragraph (D), Subdivision (1), Subsection |
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(b), Section 521.161, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, if |
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the examination is administered before February 1, 2010. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |