SF 2597

Introduction - 82nd Legislature (2001 - 2002)

Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00 a.m.

  1.1                          A bill for an act 
  1.2             relating to drivers' licenses; requiring driver 
  1.3             examinations to be written in English; amending 
  1.4             Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 171.13, subdivision 1.
  1.5   BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
  1.6      Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 2000, section 171.13, 
  1.7   subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
  1.8      Subdivision 1.  [SUBJECTS TESTED.] Except as otherwise 
  1.9   provided in this section, the commissioner shall examine each 
  1.10  applicant for a driver's license by such agency as the 
  1.11  commissioner directs.  The examination must be written only in 
  1.12  English, and an applicant must complete the examination without 
  1.13  the assistance of an interpreter to translate the examination 
  1.14  into a language other than English.  This examination must 
  1.15  include a test of applicant's eyesight; ability to read and 
  1.16  understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing 
  1.17  traffic; knowledge of traffic laws; knowledge of the effects of 
  1.18  alcohol and drugs on a driver's ability to operate a motor 
  1.19  vehicle safely and legally, and of the legal penalties and 
  1.20  financial consequences resulting from violations of laws 
  1.21  prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while under the 
  1.22  influence of alcohol or drugs; knowledge of railroad grade 
  1.23  crossing safety; knowledge of slow-moving vehicle safety; 
  1.24  knowledge of traffic laws related to bicycles; an actual 
  1.25  demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable 
  2.1   control in the operation of a motor vehicle; and other physical 
  2.2   and mental examinations as the commissioner finds necessary to 
  2.3   determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle 
  2.4   safely upon the highways, provided, further however, no driver's 
  2.5   license shall be denied an applicant on the exclusive grounds 
  2.6   that the applicant's eyesight is deficient in color perception.  
  2.7   Provided, however, that war veterans operating motor vehicles 
  2.8   especially equipped for handicapped persons, shall, if otherwise 
  2.9   entitled to a license, be granted such license.  The 
  2.10  commissioner shall make provision for giving these examinations 
  2.11  either in the county where the applicant resides or at a place 
  2.12  adjacent thereto reasonably convenient to the applicant.