BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of 30 hours of supervised driving hours as part of an extended learner's stage as an effective component of a comprehensive process for young adults to obtain their driver's licenses. Requiring just 20 hours, Texas is one of only a few states requiring less than the recommended 30 hours.
H.B. 3483 increases the number of required hours of behind-the-wheel instruction required for driver’s license training from 20 to 30 hours. The bill also increases the age on the driving curfew from under 17 to under 18.
H.B. 3483 amends current law relating to requirements for a driver education course and the eligibility of persons under 18 years of age to operate a motor vehicle at certain times.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority previously granted to the commissioner of education is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 1001.101, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Reenacts Section 1001.101, Education Code, as amended by Chapters 1253 (H.B. 339) and 1413 (S.B. 1317), Acts of the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, and amends it as follows:
Sec. 1001.101. ADULT AND MINOR DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE CURRICULUM AND TEXTBOOKS. (a) Requires the commissioner of education by to establish or approve the curriculum and designate the textbooks to be used in a driver education course for minors and adults, including a driver education course conducted by a school district, driver education school, or parent or other individual under Section 521.205 (Department-Approved Courses), Transportation Code.
(b) Requires a driver education course to require the student to complete a certain number of hours of instruction, including 30 hours, rather than 20 hours, of behind-the-wheel instruction, including at least 10 hours of instruction that takes place at night, in the presence of an adult who meets the requirements of Section 521.222(d)(2) (relating to providing that in instruction permit entitles the holder to operate a type of motor vehicle on a highway while the holder is accompanied by a person occupying the seat by the operator who holds a license that qualifies the operator to operate that type of vehicle, is 21 years of age or older, has at least one year of driving experience), Transportation Code.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 545.424(a-1), Transportation Code, as follows:
(a-1) Prohibits a person under 18 years of age from operating a motor vehicle after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity 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. Deletes existing text prohibiting a person under 18 years of age from operating a motor vehicle during the 12-month period following issuance of an original Class A, B, or C driver’s license to the person after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity 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.
SECTION 3. Makes application of the change in law made by Section 1001.101(b), Education, as amended by this Act, prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.