By: Ellis, Carona S.B. No. 2041
      Shapiro
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to requiring an applicant for a driver's license to
  demonstrate knowledge of motorists' rights and responsibilities in
  relation to bicyclists.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subsections (b) and (c), Section 521.161,
  Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The examination must include:
               (1)  a test of the applicant's:
                     (A)  vision;
                     (B)  ability to identify and understand highway
  signs in English that regulate, warn, or direct traffic; [and]
                     (C)  knowledge of the traffic laws of this state;
  and
                     (D)  knowledge of motorists' rights and
  responsibilities in relation to bicyclists;
               (2)  a demonstration of the applicant's ability to
  exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a
  motor vehicle of the type that the applicant will be licensed to
  operate; and
               (3)  any additional examination the department finds
  necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor
  vehicle safely.
         (c)  The department shall give each applicant the option of
  taking the parts [traffic law and highway sign part] of the
  examination under Subsections (b)(1)(B), (C), and (D) in writing in
  addition to or instead of through a mechanical, electronic, or
  other testing method. If the applicant takes that part of the
  examination in writing in addition to another testing method, the
  applicant is considered to have passed that part of the examination
  if the applicant passes either version of the examination. The
  department shall inform each person taking the examination of the
  person's rights under this subsection.
         SECTION 2.  A driver's license examination administered by
  the Department of Public Safety is not required to include a
  question required by Paragraph (D), Subdivision (1), Subsection
  (b), Section 521.161, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, if
  the examination is administered before February 1, 2010.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.