Assembly Bill No. 8–Assemblywoman Cegavske

 

Prefiled January 11, 2001

 

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Referred to Committee on Transportation

 

SUMMARY—Makes various changes concerning drivers’ licenses issued to persons under 18 years of age. (BDR 43‑6)

 

FISCAL NOTE:            Effect on Local Government: Yes.

                                    Effect on the State: Yes.

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; establishing provisional drivers’ licenses for persons who are 16 or 17 years of age; making various changes concerning restricted licenses for pupils in schools, instruction permits and automobile driver education in public schools; clarifying certain provisions concerning the issuance of restricted licenses; providing penalties; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN

SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

1-1    Section 1.  Chapter 483 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto

1-2  the provisions set forth as sections 2 to 6, inclusive, of this act.

1-3    Sec. 2.  1.  The department may issue a provisional license to a

1-4  person who is 16 or 17 years of age if:

1-5    (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, he has completed a

1-6  course:

1-7       (1) In automobile driver education pursuant to NRS 389.090; or

1-8       (2) Provided by a school for training drivers which is licensed

1-9  pursuant to NRS 483.700 to 483.780, inclusive, and which complies with

1-10  the applicable regulations governing the establishment, conduct and

1-11  scope of automobile driver education adopted by the state board of

1-12  education pursuant to NRS 389.090;

1-13  (b) He has at least 50 hours of supervised experience in driving a

1-14  motor vehicle with a restricted license, instruction permit or restricted

1-15  instruction permit issued pursuant to NRS 483.267, 483.270 or 483.280,

1-16  including, without limitation, at least 10 hours of experience in driving a

1-17  motor vehicle during darkness;


2-1    (c) His parent, legal guardian, a licensed driver who is at least 21

2-2  years of age or a licensed driving instructor, if the person applying for

2-3  the provisional license is an emancipated minor, signs and submits to the

2-4  department a form provided by the department which attests that the

2-5  person applying for the provisional license has completed the training

2-6  and experience required pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b);

2-7    (d) He has not been found to be responsible for a motor vehicle

2-8  accident during the 6 months before he applies for the provisional

2-9  license;

2-10  (e) He has not been convicted of a moving traffic violation or a crime

2-11  involving alcohol or a controlled substance during the 6 months before

2-12  he applies for the provisional license; and

2-13  (f) He has held an instruction permit for not less than 6 months

2-14  before he applies for the provisional license.

2-15  2.  A person who is 16 or 17 years of age and who:

2-16  (a) Resides in a county whose population is less than 35,000 or in a

2-17  city or town whose population is less than 25,000; and

2-18  (b) Is not enrolled in a school or is enrolled in a school that does not

2-19  offer automobile driver education,

2-20  is not required to complete a course as required pursuant to paragraph

2-21  (a) of subsection 1.

2-22    3.  For the purposes of this section, each hour of supervised

2-23  experience that is obtained while driving with a licensed driving

2-24  instructor shall be deemed to be equivalent to 3 hours of supervised

2-25  experience obtained while driving with a parent, legal guardian or a

2-26  licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age.

2-27    Sec. 3.  1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a person to

2-28  whom a provisional license is issued pursuant to section 2 of this act

2-29  shall not, during the first 4 months after the date on which the

2-30  provisional license is issued, transport as a passenger a person who is

2-31  under 18 years of age.

2-32    2.  A person to whom a provisional license is issued pursuant to

2-33  section 2 of this act may transport as a passenger a member of his

2-34  immediate family, regardless of the age of the family member.

2-35    3.  A person to whom a provisional license is issued pursuant to

2-36  section 2 of this act may, during the first 12 months after the provisional

2-37  license is issued, drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., without

2-38  being accompanied and supervised, under any of the following

2-39  circumstances:

2-40  (a) It is necessary for the licensee to drive to attend his place of

2-41  worship or an activity sponsored by his place of worship.

2-42  (b) It is necessary for the licensee to drive to attend work.

2-43  (c) The licensee is an emancipated minor.

2-44  4.  A peace officer may issue a citation as provided in NRS 484.799 if

2-45  the officer has probable cause to believe that a licensee is in violation of

2-46  this section.

2-47    Sec. 4.  1.  A peace officer shall not stop a motor vehicle for the sole

2-48  purpose of determining whether the driver is violating a provision of

2-49  section 3 of this act. A citation may be issued for a violation of section 3


3-1  of this act only if the violation is discovered when the vehicle is halted or

3-2  its driver arrested for another alleged violation or offense.

3-3    2.  A violation of section 3 of this act:

3-4    (a) Is not a moving traffic violation pursuant to NRS 483.473; and

3-5    (b) Is not grounds for suspension or revocation of the provisional

3-6  license pursuant to NRS 483.360.

3-7    Sec. 5.  The department:

3-8    1.  Shall include the original date that a provisional license was

3-9  issued on the face of each provisional license issued pursuant to section

3-10  2 of this act or otherwise indicate that the license is provisional;

3-11  2.  May issue provisional drivers’ licenses with distinguishing

3-12  characteristics which clearly indicate that the licensee is 16 or 17 years

3-13  of age; and

3-14  3.  May adopt regulations necessary to carry out the laws governing

3-15  the issuance of provisional licenses.

3-16    Sec. 6.  A restriction on or suspension of the driver’s license of a

3-17  person who is under 18 years of age remains in effect until the end of the

3-18  term of the restriction or suspension even if the person becomes 18 years

3-19  of age before the end of the term of the restriction or suspension.

3-20    Sec. 7.  NRS 483.250 is hereby amended to read as follows:

3-21    483.250  The department shall not issue any license under the

3-22  provisions of NRS 483.010 to 483.630, inclusive:

3-23    1.  To any person who is under the age of 18 years, except that the

3-24  department may issue:

3-25    (a) A restricted license to a person [between the ages of 14 and 18

3-26  years] who is 14 to 17 years of age, inclusive, pursuant to the provisions of

3-27  NRS 483.267 and 483.270.

3-28    (b) An instruction permit to a person who is at least 15 1/2 years of age

3-29  pursuant to the provisions of subsection 1 of NRS 483.280.

3-30    (c) A restricted instruction permit to a person under the age of 18 years

3-31  pursuant to the provisions of subsection 3 of NRS 483.280.

3-32    (d) [Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (e), a license to a person

3-33  between the ages of 16 and 18 years who has completed a course:

3-34      (1) In automobile driver education pursuant to NRS 389.090; or

3-35      (2) Provided by a school for training drivers licensed pursuant to

3-36  NRS 483.700 to 483.780, inclusive, if the course complies with the

3-37  applicable regulations governing the establishment, conduct and scope of

3-38  automobile driver education adopted by the state board of education

3-39  pursuant to NRS 389.090,

3-40  and who has at least 50 hours of experience in driving a motor vehicle with

3-41  a restricted license, instruction permit or restricted instruction permit issued

3-42  pursuant to NRS 483.267, 483.270 or 483.280. The parent or legal

3-43  guardian of a person who desires to obtain a license pursuant to this

3-44  paragraph must sign and submit to the department a form provided by the

3-45  department which attests that the person who desires a license has

3-46  completed the training and experience required by this paragraph.

3-47    (e) A license to a person who is between the ages of 16 and 18 years if:


4-1       (1) The public school in which he is enrolled is located in a county

4-2  whose population is less than 35,000 or in a city or town whose population

4-3  is less than 25,000;

4-4       (2) The public school does not offer automobile driver education;

4-5       (3) He has at least 50 hours of experience in driving a motor vehicle

4-6  with a restricted license, instruction permit or restricted instruction permit

4-7  issued pursuant to NRS 483.267, 483.270 or 483.280; and

4-8       (4) His parent or legal guardian signs and submits to the department a

4-9  form provided by the department which attests that the person who desires

4-10  a license has completed the experience required by subparagraph (3).] A

4-11  provisional license to a person who is 16 or 17 years of age pursuant to

4-12  the provisions of sections 2 to 5, inclusive, of this act.

4-13    2.  To any person whose license has been revoked until the expiration

4-14  of the period during which he is not eligible for a license.

4-15    3.  To any person whose license has been suspended, but, upon good

4-16  cause shown to the administrator, the department may issue a restricted

4-17  license to him or shorten any period of suspension.

4-18    4.  To any person who has previously been adjudged to be afflicted

4-19  with or suffering from any mental disability or disease and who has not at

4-20  the time of application been restored to legal capacity.

4-21    5.  To any person who is required by NRS 483.010 to 483.630,

4-22  inclusive, to take an examination, unless he has successfully passed the

4-23  examination.

4-24    6.  To any person when the administrator has good cause to believe that

4-25  by reason of physical or mental disability that person would not be able to

4-26  operate a motor vehicle safely.

4-27    7.  To any person who is not a resident of this state.

4-28    8.  To any child who is the subject of a court order issued pursuant to

4-29  paragraph (h) of subsection 1 of NRS 62.211, NRS 62.2255, 62.226 or

4-30  62.228 which delays his privilege to drive.

4-31    9.  To any person who is the subject of a court order issued pursuant to

4-32  NRS 206.330 which suspends or delays his privilege to drive until the

4-33  expiration of the period of suspension or delay.

4-34    Sec. 8.  NRS 483.255 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-35    483.255  The department shall adopt regulations that set forth the

4-36  number of hours of training which a person whose age is less than 18 years

4-37  must complete in a course provided by a school for training drivers to be

4-38  issued a provisional license pursuant to subparagraph (2) of paragraph [(d)]

4-39  (a) of subsection 1 of [NRS 483.250.] section 2 of this act. The regulations

4-40  must require that the number of hours that must be completed by such a

4-41  person be comparable to the number of hours of instruction which would

4-42  be required of such a person if he completed his training in a course

4-43  provided pursuant to NRS 389.090.

4-44    Sec. 9.  NRS 483.267 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-45    483.267  1.  The department may issue a restricted license to any

4-46  applicant [between the ages of 14 and 18 years] who is 14 to 17 years of

4-47  age, inclusive, which entitles him to drive a motor vehicle upon a highway

4-48  if a member of his household has a medical condition which renders that


5-1  member unable to operate a motor vehicle, and a hardship exists which

5-2  requires the applicant to drive.

5-3    2.  An application for a restricted license under this section must:

5-4    (a) Be made upon a form provided by the department.

5-5    (b) Contain a statement that a person living in the same household with

5-6  the applicant suffers from a medical condition which renders that person

5-7  unable to operate a motor vehicle and explaining the need for the applicant

5-8  to drive.

5-9    (c) Be signed and verified as provided in NRS 483.300.

5-10    (d) Contain such other information as may be required by the

5-11  department.

5-12    3.  A restricted license issued pursuant to this section:

5-13    (a) Is effective for the period specified by the department;

5-14    (b) Authorizes the licensee to operate a motor vehicle on a street or

5-15  highway only under conditions specified by the department; and

5-16    (c) May contain other restrictions which the department deems

5-17  necessary.

5-18    4.  No license may be issued under this section until the department is

5-19  satisfied fully as to the applicant’s competency and fitness to drive a motor

5-20  vehicle.

5-21    Sec. 10.  NRS 483.270 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-22    483.270  1.  The department may issue a restricted license to any pupil

5-23  [between the ages of 14 and 18 years] who is 14 to 17 years of age,

5-24  inclusive, and who is attending:

5-25    (a) A public school in a school district in this state in a county whose

5-26  population is less than 35,000 or in a city or town whose population is less

5-27  than 25,000 when transportation to and from school is not provided by the

5-28  board of trustees of the school district, if the pupil meets the requirements

5-29  for eligibility adopted by the department pursuant to subsection 5; or

5-30    (b) A private school meeting the requirements for approval under NRS

5-31  392.070 when transportation to and from school is not provided by the

5-32  private school,

5-33  and it is impossible or impracticable to furnish such a pupil with private

5-34  transportation to and from school.

5-35    2.  An application for the issuance of a restricted license under this

5-36  section must:

5-37    (a) Be made upon a form provided by the department.

5-38    (b) Be signed and verified as provided in NRS 483.300.

5-39    (c) Contain such other information as may be required by the

5-40  department.

5-41    3.  Any restricted license issued pursuant to this section:

5-42    (a) Is effective only for the school year during which it is issued or for a

5-43  more restricted period.

5-44    (b) Authorizes the licensee to drive a motor vehicle on a street or

5-45  highway only while going directly to and from school [,] or a school

5-46  activity, and at a speed not in excess of the speed limit set by law for

5-47  school buses.

5-48    (c) May contain such other restrictions as the department may deem

5-49  necessary and proper.


6-1    (d) May authorize the licensee to transport as passengers in a motor

6-2  vehicle driven by him, only while he is going directly to and from school

6-3  [,] or a school activity, members of his immediate family, or other minor

6-4  persons upon written consent of the parents or guardians of such minors,

6-5  but in no event may the number of passengers so transported at any time

6-6  exceed the number of passengers for which the vehicle was designed.

6-7    4.  No restricted license may be issued under the provisions of this

6-8  section until the department is satisfied fully as to the applicant’s

6-9  competency and fitness to drive a motor vehicle.

6-10    5.  The department shall adopt regulations that set forth the

6-11  requirements for eligibility of a pupil to receive a restricted license

6-12  pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1.

6-13    Sec. 11.  NRS 483.280 is hereby amended to read as follows:

6-14    483.280  1.  Any person who is at least 15 1/2 years of age may apply

6-15  to the department for an instruction permit. The department may, in its

6-16  discretion, after the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the

6-17  examination other than the driving test, issue to the applicant an instruction

6-18  permit entitling the applicant, while having the permit in his immediate

6-19  possession, to drive a motor vehicle upon the highways for a period of [8

6-20  months] 1 year when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21

6-21  years of age, who has had at least 1 year of licensed driving experience in

6-22  the type of vehicle for which the permit was issued and who is actually

6-23  occupying a seat beside the driver, except when the permittee is occupying

6-24  a motorcycle. The term “licensed driving experience” as used in this

6-25  subsection does not include driving experience gained under an instruction

6-26  permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this section.

6-27    2.  The department may, in its discretion, issue a temporary driver’s

6-28  permit to an applicant for a driver’s license permitting him to drive a motor

6-29  vehicle while the department is completing its investigation and

6-30  determination of all facts relative to the applicant’s right to receive a

6-31  driver’s license. The permit must be in his immediate possession while

6-32  driving a motor vehicle, and is invalid when the applicant’s license has

6-33  been issued or for good cause has been refused.

6-34    3.  The department, upon receiving proper application, may, in its

6-35  discretion, issue a restricted instruction permit effective for a school year,

6-36  or more restricted period, to an applicant who is enrolled in a driver

6-37  education program which includes practice driving and which is approved

6-38  by the department even though the applicant has not reached the legal age

6-39  to be eligible for a driver’s license. The instruction permit entitles the

6-40  permittee, when he has the permit in his immediate possession, to drive a

6-41  motor vehicle only on a designated highway or within a designated area,

6-42  but only when an approved instructor is occupying a seat beside the

6-43  permittee.

6-44    Sec. 12.  NRS 483.620 is hereby amended to read as follows:

6-45    483.620  It is a misdemeanor for any person to violate any of the

6-46  provisions of NRS 483.010 to 483.630, inclusive, and sections 2 to 6,

6-47  inclusive, of this act, unless such violation is, by NRS 483.010 to 483.630,

6-48  inclusive, and sections 2 to 6, inclusive, of this act or other law of this

6-49  state, declared to be a felony.


7-1    Sec. 13.   NRS 389.090 is hereby amended to read as follows:

7-2    389.090  1.  The state board shall adopt regulations governing the

7-3  establishment, conduct and scope of automobile driver education in the

7-4  public schools of this state.

7-5    2.  The aims and purposes of automobile driver education are to

7-6  develop the knowledge, attitudes, habits and skills necessary for the safe

7-7  operation of motor vehicles.

7-8    3.  The board of trustees of a school district may establish and maintain

7-9  automobile driver education classes during regular semesters and summer

7-10  sessions and during the regular school day and at times other than during

7-11  the regular school day for:

7-12    (a) Pupils enrolled in the regular full-time day high schools in the

7-13  school district.

7-14    (b) Pupils enrolled in summer classes conducted in high schools in the

7-15  school district.

7-16  A board of trustees maintaining courses in automobile driver education

7-17  shall insure against any liability arising out of the use of motor vehicles in

7-18  connection with those courses. The cost of the insurance must be paid from

7-19  available school district funds.

7-20    4.  A governing body of a charter school may establish and maintain

7-21  automobile driver education classes if the governing body insures against

7-22  any liability arising out of the use of motor vehicles in connection with

7-23  those courses.

7-24    5.  Automobile driver education must be provided by boards of trustees

7-25  of school districts and governing bodies of charter schools in accordance

7-26  with the regulations of the state board and may not be duplicated by any

7-27  other agency, department, commission or officer of the State of Nevada.

7-28    6.  Each course in automobile driver education provided by a board of

7-29  trustees of a school district or a governing body of a charter school must

7-30  include, without limitation, instruction in:

7-31    (a) Motor vehicle insurance.

7-32    (b) The effect of drugs and alcohol on an operator of a motor vehicle.

7-33    7.  Each course in automobile driver education provided by a board of

7-34  trustees of a school district or a governing body of a charter school must be

7-35  restricted to pupils who are [sophomores, juniors or seniors in high school.]

7-36  at least 15 years of age.

7-37    Sec. 14.  1.  The provisions of section 4 of this act do not apply to

7-38  offenses that were committed before July 1, 2002.

7-39    2.  The amendatory provisions of sections 2 to 5, inclusive, and 7 of

7-40  this act do not apply to a person who has been issued a driver’s license

7-41  before July 1, 2002.

7-42    3.  The amendatory provisions of section 11 of this act do not apply to

7-43  a person who has been issued an instruction permit before July 1, 2002.

7-44    Sec. 15.  This act becomes effective on July 1, 2002.

 

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