HF 3695

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to drivers' licenses; requiring knowledge of precautions around large
trucks; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 171.13, subdivision 1, by
adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 171.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Examination subjects and locations; provisions for color
blindness, disabled veterans.

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the
commissioner shall examine each applicant for a driver's license by such agency as the
commissioner directs. This examination must include a test of applicant's eyesight;
ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic;
knowledge of traffic laws; knowledge of the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver's
ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and legally, and of the legal penalties and
financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the operation of
a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; knowledge of railroad
grade crossing safety; knowledge of slow-moving vehicle safety; knowledge of traffic
laws related to bicycles; new text begin knowledge of precautions necessary when in proximity to large
commercial motor vehicles; new text end an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and
reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle; and other physical and mental
examinations as the commissioner finds necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to
operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways, provided, further however, no driver's
license shall be denied an applicant on the exclusive grounds that the applicant's eyesight
is deficient in color perception. Provided, however, that war veterans operating motor
vehicles especially equipped for handicapped persons, shall, if otherwise entitled to a
license, be granted such license. The commissioner shall make provision for giving these
examinations either in the county where the applicant resides or at a place adjacent thereto
reasonably convenient to the applicant.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 171.13, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1i. new text end

new text begin Driver's manual; awareness of large trucks. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall
include in each edition of the driver's manual published by the department after August 1,
2006, a section that includes information on the precautions that a driver needs to take
when operating a vehicle around large commercial motor vehicles, such as, for example,
awareness of the commercial vehicle driver's ability to see your vehicle, of the necessity
of large trucks to make wide turns when cornering, of extra space requirements when large
trucks are changing lanes, passing, cornering, and backing up, and the extra time required
for commercial vehicles to attain prevailing traffic speeds.
new text end

new text begin new text end